Dogs that were already part of the family pre-lockdown have got used to us being around much more and dogs that have joined us during the last year, might not know any different.
Whether you are heading back to the office or beginning to socialise again, you want to ensure that your dog doesn’t struggle when you leave them. Dogs are social and it’s not unusual for them to feel worried when they are left, especially for the first time. So, you need to teach your pooch how to spend time on their own and ensure they learn to feel relaxed by themselves.
Teaching a dog to cope when home alone should ideally start when they are still a puppy. Of course, for many dogs, lockdown has made doing that much more difficult. However, teaching our dogs to cope alone is important to help prevent separation anxiety from developing, so the sooner you can prepare them, the better.
Is your dog already struggling to cope by themselves? Here’s what to do if your dog is showing signs of separation anxiety.
Before leaving your dog home alone, you need to teach them that it is alright and that they will be able to cope on their own. The more you do this before you need to leave the house, the easier it will be when you do.
Here are a few ways you can do that:
It’s important to build up time apart very gradually and associate it with something positive, like a long-lasting treat. Monitor how your pup responds, and shorten the time left if they show any signs of anxiety.
It’s normal for dogs to want to be with us, but ultimately you want them to learn to enjoy being by themselves and not follow you around and rely on your attention. That way, they will be able to cope better when you do leave the house and they are alone.
Before you leave your dog at home, there are a few things you can do to help them feel calm and relaxed.
Before you leave your dog alone, make sure they have been out for a long walk. This will give them a chance to burn off some energy, tire themselves out and go to the toilet. That way, they will hopefully be ready to settle down and sleep while you are out.
Before you go out make sure your dog has access to water and their food or a long-lasting treat.
You could also leave an old item of clothing that smells like you in their bed – and don’t forget that doggy den, which will help make them feel safe and relaxed. Leaving the TV or radio on may also help with this.
You don’t want to make you leaving and returning to the house a big deal for your pooch. Make it as uneventful as possible so don’t make a big fuss of them.
Start by getting everything ready, so you can leave quickly and calmly. You could also use a word or phrase (such as “see you later”) that helps to establish a routine.
Dogs develop separation anxiety because they are worried. Telling them off or being angry when they behave in a way that you don’t want is likely to make things worse. If you come home and your dog has scratched up your floor or been to the toilet inside, they won’t know why you’re telling them off as they don’t understand that this is ‘wrong’. Being angry with them may make them worried about you coming home, as well as being anxious about being left. Instead, focus on rewarding them when they remain calm and relaxed.
Dogs shouldn’t be left alone for more than four hours anyway. But if your dog is showing signs of separation anxiety then you should continue to build up to this gradually. If you do have to go out for longer, organize for someone to pop in or for your pooch to go to doggy daycare.
A few questions may arise while you are teaching your dog to spend time on their own. Here are some of the most frequently asked to help your pooch prepare to be by themselves.
While teaching your pup that being on their own is alright, you’ll want to look out for behaviors that tell you if and when they are feeling stressed or worried. This could include:
At first, you should increase the time you are away from your dog very gradually. A few minutes is enough to start with. Once you have successfully built-up time apart, the length of time a dog can be left will depend on the individual. You should avoid leaving your dog for more than four hours. If you are going to be out for longer then make sure you organize for someone to pop in or look after them.
A baby gate is beneficial as your pooch will still be able to see, hear and smell you without being with you or following you around. Before going through the baby gate, scatter some treats onto the floor or give your dog a chew or food-releasing toy to play with. This will help them to learn that being alone is ok and a positive experience. If they are showing signs that they are worried, you can stay closer to the gate and then build up the distance and time that you are away from it.
If your dog can’t cope alone and is showing signs of separation anxiety then leaving the TV on or giving them a long-lasting treat won’t suffice. If this is the case, you need to speak to your vet who can check they are in good health before referring you to a qualified behaviorist so you can get advice on what to do next.
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