Anybody dealt with this and have any tips or guidance? My 5 year old mini poodle developed separation anxiety after moving house last year, which then got even worse after my long term girlfriend and I broke up earlier this year. I feel like I’ve watched just about every YouTube video imaginable and have consulted a dog therapist/trainer in the last month but, despite some small signs of progress, he still cannot be left alone for more than a few minutes. I haven’t left him alone for over 4 months now, which is a nightmare trying to find dogsitters, friends, neighbours to watch him while I do the most ordinary things like going to the shops. Especially as my ex wants nothing to do with him. I’m a patient person and love him to bits but jesus it’s hard, it’s driving me insane. My quality of life, particularly social life, has plummeted. Any advice from those with pups who’ve overcome it would be greatly appreciated.
Is the breed particularly known for separation anxiety? The only advice I've read is building up time apart very very gradually.is he very attached to just you?
Can I ask how he behaves when left alone? We adopted a rescue greyhound cross about 4 years ago. Tried all the usual practices to eliminate separation anxiety and still couldn't get her to stop trying chew through the door to the kitchen. Turns out she just wanted roam of the house. However, she would still just run up and downstairs checking each window when we left (knew this cos we bought a camera). Our dog walker told us to just draw the blinds. Worked a treat. She's not happy when we're out but she's not destructive or constantly pacing. Not sure if that's helpful or not but thought I'd share my experience.
The basics are: - Give the dog something positive that they only get when you leave and you remove from them as soon as you return (do you have a licki mat? This is good for self soothing too as licking calms them. Frozen Kongs are another great option). - When you ‘leave’ them at first, be in smell range, so just stand the other side of the door. Gradually move further away. - Built the time up slowly, as in literally a few seconds increments. If it gets upset at one step, go back two steps before and build up again. - Can you leave via a different exit? We had one dog who barked non stop when we left via the side door, every single time. We went out of the front door once and she was instantly fine. She was used to coming out of the side door with us as it leads to the back garden so she was barking to come with us but she didn’t associate the front door with that. Is he ok with being left alone in the house if you are in another room or does that upset him too?
This is good advice IMO. I've quite a lot of experience training dogs. Hiding a load of teats around the room, house, so they are distracted when you leave is also good. You are also likely to be stressed when leaving, for obvious reasons. The dog will pick up on that & get stressed as a result. Expressing a calm, confident body language is important & as JD says, make the initial departures be for only a minute or two repeatedly at first, with no fuss on leaving / entering. Dogs have no real sense of elapsed time & are used to "powering down" for hours, so it is the actual act of leaving you need to get sorted.
Yes, I forgot to say about that. It’s a very good point. - Your dog will recognise your leaving patterns, whether that’s putting your coat on, getting your keys, doing a certain action. You need to do those actions over and over but not leave. Get used to putting your coat on and sitting back down for 20 minutes then taking it off and going nowhere. Same with getting your keys. Lock and unlock the door repeatedly. Stand up and sit down randomly. Prepare the licki mat/frozen Kong in advance so that when you are ready to go you can just put it down and leave immediately. - As Peachy says, no making a fuss! When you return you should practically ignore your dog. Say hi and give a tiny pat to acknowledge them and then no more attention until they are calm. It’s easier if you are busy when you get in e.g. unpacking bags, folding up washing, anything that keeps you stood up with your back to the dog and moving around slightly. - Try and only leave the dog after a long walk and a meal. No large interactions with the dog for at least 30 minutes before leaving them. You want them to be as calm as possible and a full belly and tired legs helps with that.
She’s spoiled to bits! She’s about three months off qualifying as a guide dog so there’s a few things she can’t have like human food or being on the furniture but she gets loads of love and attention which she loves! She’s an absolute bundle of energy and although she’s nearing two years old she still bounces everywhere when off lead. I just can’t get over how tiny she is - she only just met the minimum height requirement!
Great advice from Jam Drop which I can't expand on. However, in terms of your social life, have you considered taking your dog with you? Obviously this depends on where you go and what you do. My local (Thornely Arms in Dodworth) has recently changed hands and is now fully dog (and children) friendly. Loads of people bring their dogs which, as all dog owners know, are great social ice breakers. Many pubs these days are dog friendly and it makes for a friendly social atmosphere. Just a thought, good luck.
The real truth is that you never train a dog. You train yourself & lead the dog. Dogs are pack animals & look up to a leader. I love my dogs like family, but you have to lead them as well as loving them. Otherwise you have a stressed dog.