Whether you’ve had your dog since long before 2020 or you’ve welcomed a pandemic puppy into your life, the issue of managing dog separation anxiety and is more common than ever.
You and your doggo may have been inseparable for so long that you might struggle to leave the room without them making a scene, let alone an entire day of work.
But, before you quit your job or beg your boss to convert your office into a dog-friendly one (although that would be the dream!), you might consider some alternatives that will make your dog more comfortable being home alone. To be sure, working through separation anxiety can be a challenge, and it doesn’t go away overnight. But, if you can teach your dog to get used to being alone with the help of training tips and your dedicated Dog Sitter, you’ll have a much more content canine when you get home!
#1: Get started with the right equipment
Over the following steps, we’re going to lay out some tips to start teaching your dog to be comfortable alone. And you’ll notice that there are a few pieces of equipment that will help the process immensely. Not all of these are mandatory, but you might consider buying them before you get started:
- A pet camera (strongly recommended). Being able to watch your dog in real time is a huge advantage when it comes to separation anxiety training. By monitoring how they act when you leave, you’ll know exactly where to start with training, how severe the problem is, and whether you’re making any progress or need to switch up your tactics. Now, you don’t have to opt for the high-tech pet cameras that toss your dog treats and allow you to communicate (unless you want to!) And, while you’re in the beginning stages of training, when you’ll only be gone for short periods of time, you can even get creative by setting up your normal video call app on two devices, one in the room and one with you.
- A crate, x-pen, or baby gates (optional). For most dogs, it’s a good idea to limit their environment while you’re away so that they don’t have the opportunity to chew furniture, pee on the carpets, or attempt to escape. You can set up a safer area by using play gates to block off a part of the house, setting up an x-pen or working on crate training. That said, none of these options solve separation anxiety; you will still need to work on dedicated training.
- A variety of toys, slow feeders and treats (non-negotiable!) Even if you opt not to use the previous two pieces of equipment, you won’t want to overlook the importance of having a variety of mentally enriching toys and treats. This is going to be key to rewriting your dog’s relationship towards being alone.
#2: Make time for dedicated training to prevent dog separation anxiety
The first thing to keep in mind when leaving your dog alone is that you’re asking them to go against their nature. Dogs are social animals! They have an innate desire to be around their beloved humans. As such, they require dedicated training sessions to learn how to be alone, just like they would need training to sit on command or walk on a leash.
To get started, you’ll want to find your dog’s anxiety baseline. Do they immediately get nervous when you leave their sight? Or, does the howling start at some point while you’re away? This is where having a video of your dog’s reaction is helpful as it will tell you how long your training sessions will be to start. If, for instance, your dog starts becoming agitated after ten minutes, you’ll leave the room for 9 minutes and 45 seconds at first. If your dog gets nervous immediately when you leave the room, you’ll work on stepping out a few seconds at a time.
In some cases, dogs can begin experiencing anxiety when they see their Owner getting ready to leave. In this case, you’ll want to desensitise your dog to activities like putting your shoes on, grabbing the keys, and walking towards the door by doing them periodically throughout the day without leaving.
#3: Make alone time the best time of day
Building up your dog’s tolerance to being alone is a whole lot easier when you can give them something enjoyable to focus on while you’re gone. One of the best ways to do this is to fill your dog’s puzzle toy with delicious treats and chews that will keep them occupied for as long as possible. Freezing some of their favourite snacks in the grooves of a licking mat is also a good option.
You might also set up a fun scavenger hunt for your dog by scattering treats or pieces of kibble around the room for them to find.
#4: Rethink your morning routine
If you’re in the habit of exercising your dog after you come home from work, we would suggest that you swap it out for a pre-work exercise session. This will ensure that your dog burns off extra energy before you leave so that they can more easily settle down and relax.
To be sure, mornings are busy enough without having to add in a workout! But even ten to twenty minutes of interactive play, a brisk walk, or a training session can be enough to tire out your dog.
#5: Call in the pros
If your dog is not comfortable being home alone, it’s a good idea to leave them in the care of a friendly Pet Sitter. That’s because pushing your dog past their threshold before they’re ready can set your training back. And for dogs with severe separation anxiety, your pup could put themselves at risk of injury by trying to escape or chewing on dangerous household items.
Until your doggo is reliably comfortable being home alone, leaving them with a trusted Dog Sitter will ensure that your training continues in the right direction. Even after your dog has perfected the skill of being alone, they may still prefer staying with their beloved Sitter than staying home alone!
#6: Ask your vet how to prevent dog separation anxiety
As we covered in our Vet Guest Spot article on Separation Anxiety in Dogs, this condition can benefit from clinical treatment. After all, studies show that true separation anxiety isn’t just a behavioural difference but rather a neurological condition. If your dog doesn’t seem to be making progress with your training, or their separation anxiety is severe enough that they’re at risk of injuring themselves while you’re away, you should ask your vet for recommendations.
#7: Be patient with your pup
Although you want to cure your dog’s anxiety as quickly as you can, keep in mind that it’s simply not possible to fix or prevent dog separation anxiety overnight. In most cases, it will take a few weeks or more of dedicated training to teach your dog to let go of their natural desire to be with their family.
Dealing with separation anxiety can be tough. But if you can stay consistent, rely on the help of a local Dog Sitter, and give your doggo plenty of incentives to enjoy being home alone, your dog can learn that staying solo isn’t such a bad thing!
Have any tips of your own to prevent dog separation anxiety?
Every doggo is different, and Owners often have their own clever ways to convince their pup to be comfortable alone. We’d love to hear any tips, tricks, and types of treats that worked to prevent dog separation anxiety for your furry friend!
