Every fur parent’s worst fear is to leave their furbaby at home and giving them separation anxiety while they are away. Though leaving them all alone is not in your options at all, there are times that you will need to do this as you have work and errands to do.
There are numerous ways in which you can help dogs to overcome their separation anxiety – moreover, when it comes down to finding the best stress reliever for dogs it is reassuring to know that there are so many unique options out there. So, let us discuss some of the steps you can take to help a dog overcome separation anxiety.
Change your “leaving the house” gestures
When leaving the house, consider changing your going away gestures. You can do this by using a different door, placing your keys in a different place, or putting on your shoes but does not leave immediately. By doing these actions, you will be able to not trigger their separation anxiety.
Another thing that you can do is to give your dog a treat or their favorite toy before leaving the house. This will not only distract him about your departure, hence, it will also help him to be calm. In fact, giving him treats is an effective short-term remedy for separation anxiety. In addition, this will also give a positive vibe that being alone is not bad at all.
Disparage your hellos and goodbyes
Another effective gesture that you can do to help your dog to not have separation anxiety is to downplay your hellos and goodbyes before leaving the house. Never get too emotional when leaving him and don’t get too excited when returning. By focusing too much to your return and departure, you will just immensely trigger your dog’s fear of you not being in the house.
Instead of being too emotional about this, what you can do is to calmly say your hellos and goodbyes to your dog. In addition, don’t give too much attention and emotion until your dog has completely calmed down.
Exercise your dog before you leave
Before you leave the house, make sure that you exercised your dog enough. This will definitely calm your dog as he is already tired. Make time for a walk in the park or a short trip on the beach before your departure. This way, you will help him completely divert his attention to food and rest – leaving him no room to feel anxious about you leaving the house.
Spend quality time with your dog before you leave
One of the most important thing that you must do to ensure that your dog will not be anxious when you are away is to spend quality time with them. As per Paw Castle, “This arrangement is a good way to help your dog get its fill of love from you.” This is why spending quality time with him – whether you will be going away to a trip or not – is indeed one of the most effective ways to help your dog overcome his separation anxiety.
Teach your dog to be alone even if you are in the house
Another effective activity that will help your dog overcome his separation anxiety is to train your dog to be alone in the house even if you are with them. Calmly instruct him to go to a place while you go to a different room in the house.
Let your dog have a personal space
We all want to sleep next to our fur babies. However, this action will definitely not help him with his separation anxiety issues. With this being said, get him a separate bed close to you. Make sure that you can still pet him and give him treats. By practicing this, you will be able to teach your dog on how to be independent of you – which in turn, will help him not to be anxious when you are not in the house.
Key Takeaway
Though it is a hard thing to leave your dog on his own, this will greatly help him to be an independent and happy dog as he will not be experiencing much of separation anxiety while you are away.
Source of Featured Image: Pexels.com
Deinah Storm is a pet lover from the US that’s had cats and dogs all her life. When she’s not walking the dogs with her family, she spends time writing informational and interesting blogs about pets to share with pet lover communities.
Thanks for this. We have a new puppy who is very attached to me. I’ve been thinking that we need to work on making him more independent so that he doesn’t experience separation anxiety; he is six months old and I don’t think he has ever been alone! Right now one or the other of us has always been with him, but he still gets upset if I go away. So, I’ve been working on some of the techniques described here, and we are trying to make his crate more of a haven for him. It worked for our older dogs, so we’re pretty sure he’ll get there, with time.
Glad you found this helpful and good luck with your new puppy hope it all works out for you both.
Thank you for sharing this. My son’s dog is dealing with this, we were just talking about this 2 days ago. I shared the link to this post with him.
Thanks for sharing. My little boy was adopted from a shelter. When I first got him he was very clingy but now he is much more independent (my little boy is growing up!) He is still overjoyed when I return, even if I just go out to the garage! One thing that I find helpful is to always say the same words when I have to go out without him. I always say “Mama go bye-bye. Mama come back”. He knows this means I am leaving for a while and he goes and gets in the recliner to await my return.
Great tip. So glad to see he is adjusting well. Often adopted dogs come with baggage we don’t know about and we have to give them time, but they really do make the most loving and devoted dogs.
Might help with all pets alike, cats too! Interesting methods.