Helping Your Furry Friend Overcome Anxiety When You’re Away

Leaving your faithful companion alone can be stressful for both you and your dog. It’s not uncommon for dogs to experience separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior like chewing, digging, and howling. Fortunately, there are solutions for dog separation anxiety training that can help your dog stay calm and content when you’re not around.

One crucial thing to note is that it’s essential to help your dog feel comfortable being separated gradually. Start with leaving your dog for short periods and gradually build up to longer durations. Give them a safe space to relax and something to keep them occupied, like puzzle toys, to prevent boredom.

Another effective strategy of dog separation anxiety training is to desensitize your dog to your departure cues. For instance, grab your car keys, but don’t leave immediately. Instead, put them away and sit back down. Repetition of these departure cues teaches your dog to remain calm, knowing you’ll eventually return.

It’s also vital to avoid making a production of your departures and arrivals as this could cause anxiety in your dog. Greet them calmly, without getting too excited. Similarly, avoid overly emotional goodbyes, but rather make leaving seem like a normal part of your routine.

Helping your dog overcome separation anxiety is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Patience, consistency, and a lot of love are crucial elements of this process. By implementing these strategies and working alongside a professional dog trainer, separation anxiety is sure to become a thing of the past for you and your furry friend.