separation anxiety in dogs
One of the most common behavioral issues I assist dog owners with is separation anxiety. Separation anxiety happens from dogs following their owners around and having a hard time settling away from them. Imagine your roommate, choosing to follow you around the house over 80% of your day. It would be very exhausting.
Symptoms that owners complain most about are barking, whining, crying and sometimes worse— destructive behavior. No one wants to come home to a dog who has chewed up your walls, carpeting, or items nearest them, especially when that could also involve harm or worse— a surgery vet visit.With that said— dog owners are left feeling defeated and like they can’t even go out for a small period of time— and that can feel VERY isolating.
More often than not though, dogs can overcome this through crate training. You see, crate training often is used for puppy potty training, yet, it is not looked at in society as something to utilize through every stage of your dog’s life. I generally tell dog owners that using a crate for their dog’s entire life, will likely enhance their life and their dog’s— minimizing, stopping or preventing many behavioral issues.
It’s not that crate training is hard, but every dog is different and might require a little more help along the way so keep this in mind as you learn more about how to crate train them!
Next, understand that even while they are out of the crate— we must teach them to settle with or without us. If we get up that doesn’t mean they have to. If we move to another room, that doesn’t mean they must follow. This lack of confidence can bleed into other areas of your dog’s life so it is best to address it immediately.
In addition, a place command can be extremely valuable. My dog is a sensitive, back of the pack dog that is not inherently confident— that was something I had to accept about him. Which also meant he needs much more guidance and information in order to be successful with me in our home. This includes sending him onto place and holding that boundary so that he doesn’t live in a state of anxiety, yet we create a place he can go to that represents calm relaxation.
Check out my freebie by signing up for my newsletter on my home page, that will give you great advice on crate training. Now, if the behavior has been dangerous or practiced for an extensive period of time my professional opinion would be to book a private lesson on how to overcome this!
Keep me posted on your dog’s separation anxiety and how it’s improved!