Training for dogs with Separation Anxiety

When a dog develops separation anxiety it is distressing for both dog and owner. It is one of the causes of people re-homing their dog. As with many things, prevention is always better than cure in separation anxiety in dogs.

How to train dogs not to have separation anxiety

When a puppy first arrives home with you it’s very easy to accidentally create separation anxiety. Everybody wants to give the puppy a lot of fuss and attention. The minute puppy cries somebody comes running. It’s cute when puppy follows you everywhere, even to the bathroom.

All of these things can contribute to a dog developing separation anxiety. Some dogs are more prone to separation anxiety than others. Genetics and breeding play a big part in how dogs develop and cope with the world around them.

If you have a particularly nervous puppy or a breed that is prone to anxiety, pay more attention to the above. Teach puppy to be comfortable being alone from day 1. When you leave puppy alone, settle them in their crate with a kong or something to enjoy. Don’t make a big fuss about coming and goint.

Often in the early days at home people worry about leaving puppy home alone. This is the time to start. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes while you walk around the garden.

This is another time that a properly trained crate pays dividends. If you want a crate training sheet please click here.

The best thing you can do to prevent separation anxiety is to take your puppy training seriously and understand that teaching basic good behaviour builds confidence in your puppy.

Join us for a puppy training programme, either online, or a 6- week face to face course.

How to help a Dog with Separation Anxiety

Before treating any dog for separation anxiety, it’s important to be sure they have separation anxiety and that the behaviour is not from an alternative issue.

Visit this page to check the things to look for in separation anxiety.

There is no quick fix for separation anxiety in dogs. It’s something that takes time and needs to be progressed slowly and carefully. If your dog has severe separation anxiety and you have to go to work, seek day care professional services for your dog until you can take some annual leave and properly undertake the training.

Training for separation anxiety can very successfully be carried out using an online training course.

Treating a dog with separation anxiety is something that needs to be done over a period of time, as you gradually take steps forward. If you use an online training course, you have access to the course material at all times. It’s there for you to read or use as a reminder whenever you need it.

An online course will give you step by step instruction, guiding you day by day.

Paying for a behaviour consultation can be expensive. If your dog has severe separation anxiety, it is likely you will need several visits to gather all the information you will need and to move your dog forward. This becomes expensive and can be difficult if you have to work around somebody else’s availability.

Using an online course gives you access to comprehensive materials and worksheets to support you throughout your training.

If you need more information about separation anxiety or you are unsure if your dog has separation anxiety, visit this page for more detailed information and for access to our in-depth online course.