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Separation anxiety is tough, both for us as owners and for our beloved dogs. Being alone for short periods is a necessary part of a pup’s life, but some just find it that much harder to adjust to. Whatever the cause, whether it’s experiences in their early life or an extra sensitive nature, there are ways to help ease your pooch into being alone.
Any one of these 6 reassuring techniques can be added to your training routine, helping your dog to build up that all-important confidence. It’ll help make that all-important alone time much easier on both of you.
The best way to soothe separation anxiety is to start with the foundations. Your dog finds being alone scary or unsettling, but they can learn to overcome this. The key is to build their confidence slowly.
Start with just brief moments alone,even just walking behind a door out of sight, and then quickly reward your dog for a neutral reaction. It may seem silly hiding behind your furniture! But soon enough, you’ll be able to leave the room for a few minutes without any reaction, which could soon expand to a few successful hours alone.
The key to this is timing. So find your dog’s “working distance” - how long are they able to be alone before reacting? - rewarding this bravery and extending these periods over time.
Any one of these 6 reassuring techniques can be added to your training routine, helping your dog to build up that all-important confidence. It’ll help make that all-important alone time much easier on both of you.
The best way to soothe separation anxiety is to start with the foundations. Your dog finds being alone scary or unsettling, but they can learn to overcome this. The key is to build their confidence slowly.
Start with just brief moments alone,even just walking behind a door out of sight, and then quickly reward your dog for a neutral reaction. It may seem silly hiding behind your furniture! But soon enough, you’ll be able to leave the room for a few minutes without any reaction, which could soon expand to a few successful hours alone.
The key to this is timing. So find your dog’s “working distance” - how long are they able to be alone before reacting? - rewarding this bravery and extending these periods over time.
They say the best way to someone’s heart is usually through their stomach, and dogs are really no different! By combining something your dog loves (like treats, kibbles in IQ Treat Ball or a peanut butter stuffed Kong) with something they usually dislike (you leaving), you can begin to counter condition your dog.
This means they will begin to associate you leaving with a treat, teaching them that good things come from a little alone time. This will be especially effective if the treats are in puzzle form like the IQ Treat Ball, either hidden around the room or in a snuffle mat, meaning your dog’s mind will be fully engagedaway from your absence.
Combined with step 1, this style of behavioral work has had a 100% success rate for improving separation anxiety in some studies. So it’s definitely worth a try!
They say the best way to someone’s heart is usually through their stomach, and dogs are really no different! By combining something your dog loves (like treats, kibbles in IQ Treat Ball or a peanut butter stuffed Kong) with something they usually dislike (you leaving), you can begin to counter condition your dog.
This means they will begin to associate you leaving with a treat, teaching them that good things come from a little alone time. This will be especially effective if the treats are in puzzle form like the IQ Treat Ball, either hidden around the room or in a snuffle mat, meaning your dog’s mind will be fully engagedaway from your absence.
Combined with step 1, this style of behavioral work has had a 100% success rate for improving separation anxiety in some studies. So it’s definitely worth a try!
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Research suggests that using dog-appeasing pheromones, designed to calm and reassure your pooch, can reduce problem behaviors by around 80%. This is because these scents are usually formulated to replicate the ones a mother exudes to her puppies. They tell your dog that they are safe, and can relax.
Brands like Adaptil have a range of calming sprays and plug-in diffusers. Meaning you can spray or set them off before you plan to leave,somewhere near where your dog usually sleeps or rests.
Research suggests that using dog-appeasing pheromones, designed to calm and reassure your pooch, can reduce problem behaviors by around 80%. This is because these scents are usually formulated to replicate the ones a mother exudes to her puppies. They tell your dog that they are safe, and can relax.
Brands like Adaptil have a range of calming sprays and plug-in diffusers. Meaning you can spray or set them off before you plan to leave,somewhere near where your dog usually sleeps or rests.
Similar to pheromones, some pups may find your scent helps them to stay calm and relaxed without your physical presence. Many owners find it beneficial to leave recently worn clothes with their pooch, so that the smell can act as a comforter.
It may also stop your dog from overturning the laundry basket in a bid to follow your scent, and making that huge mess!
Similar to pheromones, some pups may find your scent helps them to stay calm and relaxed without your physical presence. Many owners find it beneficial to leave recently worn clothes with their pooch, so that the smell can act as a comforter.
It may also stop your dog from overturning the laundry basket in a bid to follow your scent, and making that huge mess!
Research shows that calming music, like classical or relaxed reggae, can help reduce anxiety-related behavior in dogs. They measured lower levels of cortisol on these musically-accompanied dogs too. So it could definitely be worth a shot.
Other owners swear by audiobooks that sound like human voices nearby, or Dog TV channels on YouTube to reduce their dog’s stress or anxiety behaviors.
Want to check if these are working? Then it might be wise to invest in a pet camera to see how your dog reacts to different techniques.
Research shows that calming music, like classical or relaxed reggae, can help reduce anxiety-related behavior in dogs. They measured lower levels of cortisol on these musically-accompanied dogs too. So it could definitely be worth a shot.
Other owners swear by audiobooks that sound like human voices nearby, or Dog TV channels on YouTube to reduce their dog’s stress or anxiety behaviors.
Want to check if these are working? Then it might be wise to invest in a pet camera to see how your dog reacts to different techniques.
However, you approach your separation anxiety training, try and stay consistent. Dog’s thrive on routine, and will grow in confidence if they know their owner returns time and again.
It’s a good idea to follow the same rituals when you leave and return,making sure not to fuss or over-excite your dog at these times. Wait until they are calm to pet them on your return,as this can help to reinforce the kind of chilled-out behavior you desire.
However, you approach your separation anxiety training, try and stay consistent. Dog’s thrive on routine, and will grow in confidence if they know their owner returns time and again.
It’s a good idea to follow the same rituals when you leave and return,making sure not to fuss or over-excite your dog at these times. Wait until they are calm to pet them on your return,as this can help to reinforce the kind of chilled-out behavior you desire.
Some owners also like to establish a consistent word or action (“goodbye” or “I’ll be back”)that tells your dog you are leaving, but that they don’t need to worry as you will return.
Whatever you can do, to give your dog structure and routine around alone time, will help them grow in confidence and assurance.
We hope these 6 ways to soothe separation anxiety help your dog feel more secure,and reduce your worries about leaving them alone too. Over time, improvements are possible and your dog can learn to love an afternoon snooze by themselves.
Soon enough, they’ll be demanding that “me time”!