There are some places we can’t bring our dogs, so we need to teach them how to feel relaxed on their own (Photo: rollercoaster nearing the top)
The last time you went away for a few days, your dog refused to eat. Other family members were home, but your dog didn’t care.
This is not a signal of love and devotion.
This is a sign of separation anxiety.
You need to help your dog overcome this stressful condition.
Unfortunately, many owners feel quite flattered when they hear that their dog would not eat whilst they were away. Upon their return, they shower the dog with baby talk and affection while the dog is anxiously whining, jumping up, behaving excitedly, etc.
We need to stop this cycle because it isn’t fair to the dog.
It is time to set our own ego aside and rehabilitate our dog. It is time to help them through separation anxiety.
The goal for your next vacation shouldn’t be to boast about how much your dog missed you (Photo: terrier resting on a bed)
We need to want more for our dogs.
I want to know that my dog is having a great time if I’m on vacation without her. (Photo: Rottweiler puppy looking positively adorable beside a swimming pool)
Separation anxiety happens when we allow our dog to be in a follower state of mind before we leave home.
This looks like:
-following us from room to room as we get ready to leave
And is sometimes accompanied by:
-panting
-whining
-blocking the doorway
-and more
Owners often:
-talk to the dog as she follows from room to room “It’s okay, baby, Mommy will be back soon,” etc)
-pet the dog as she follows us around
-sometimes there’s even a struggle to move the dog away from the front door so we can leave
Hands up if your dog blocks your doorway making leaving impossible. (Photo: black and white Newfoundlander laying down)
When the door shuts in the dog’s face, she is physically blocked, but her mind is in the follower state, so she becomes frustrated.
This looks/sounds like:
-scratching at the door
-whining
-pacing
-panting
And can also look like:
-gnawing the baseboards and doorway to go after the human
-jumping through windows
-breaking through screen doors
-injuring herself trying to escape a crate (if you crated her)
-refusal to eat her breakfast until the owner returns from work
It’s time to help our dogs through separation anxiety (Photo: dog resting his head on the window frame looking out the window)
If this is what your dog’s daily life looks like, hire a professional to help repair your relationship. The dog is not broken and doesn’t need fixing. The relationship needs to be repaired.
If you’ll be going away on vacation in a few months time, you have time to help your dog through the separation anxiety.
How to get started?
Have a family meeting. It’s time to make changes on how you live with your dog. It’s time to help her feel well.
A few house rules to get started:
-Don’t make a big fuss before leaving for work/school/errands.
-Don’t make a big fuss when you return from work/school/errands.
-Reward calmness on a daily basis.
Calm dogs are happy, well-adjusted dogs (Photo: Bulldog resting on a dog bed)
When you are choosing a coach who will help you through separation anxiety, you want someone who:
-understands dog psychology (you don’t need a trainer for obedience and tricks, you need someone who can help your dog learn calmness)
-can help you reintroduce the crate so that it represents calmness
-teach you the place command without using food or excitement as rewards (your dog needs to be taught what to do instead of follow you while you’re getting ready to leave home.)
-is great with people and a great teacher (you are the one getting coached and learning leadership skills)
-knows how to help your whole relationship (recall out of the backyard matters; your leash walks matter; your dog’s manners while greeting your houseguests matter)
Every moment matters. How we live with dogs matters.
Let’s get yours well!
Schedule your free call or in-person session here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/take-action
Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders!
Alyssa
Photos by: Meg Boulden
@mboulden (rollercoaster nearing the top,) Brooke Cagle
@brookecagle (terrier resting on a bed) Stephanie Cook
@stephtcook (Rottweiler puppy looking positively adorable beside a swimming pool,) Angel Luciano
@roaming_angel (black and white Newfoundlander laying down,) Mark Zamora
@mmm_mark (dog resting his head on the window frame looking out the window,) Brina Blum
@brina_blum (French Bulldog resting on a dog bed,)