Dog Separation Anxiety

Living with a dog with Separation Anxiety can be overwhelmingly difficult. Folks may feel like prisoners in their own home and can have costly emotional and physical fallout from the situation.

Many times people are mistakenly given the advice to get the dog used to a crate with a stuffed Kong (or other food puzzle). But, there is so much more involved in successfully treating (yes, Separation Anxiety IS treatable!) this phobia.

Rather than just teaching a dog to “eat” alone, we need to help them to feel comfortable “being” by themselves.

Canine Separation Anxiety is a panic disorder. As such, although remedies and suggestions such as food puzzles, Thundershirts, and DAP collars may fall under the heading of “can’t hurt,” they also are unlikely to actually help with much progress when used alone.

Instead, we use a specific protocol designed to desensitize to absences in very small increments with many, many repetitions over time.

Frequently, folks may begin with a 5 minute absence believing that this is an extremely brief duration. However, depending on the dog, first steps may need to be broken down into being in sight, but further away in the same room to start out.

Departure cues are included and criteria is raised and temporarily lowered as duration and other elements are introduced. Things like keys and shoes and cars starting will all come with time and are built into the micro departure steps with thought and care given to the overall plan. Managing each component of the plan daily is key.

The process requires a great amount of patience and consistency-the backbones of permanent, lasting behavioral change.

With the right guidance, attitude, commitment, and perseverance you can see seconds turn into minutes and minutes become longer and longer absences until eventually your dog learns to trust in the feeling that it is ok for them to be home alone.

For help or questions with possible canine Separation Anxiety, you can contact PAW today. http://positiveanimalwellness.com/contact/