@elias512 Tip: do NOT give your dog fuss and “poor baby” when you come back after being away for a while. Walk in like normal. Ignore them. Put stuff away and then when they’ve calmed down a little you greet
@elias512 Here's the Kikopup method for separation training, which teaches dogs to settle and take a nap while you are out.
It's a step by step instruction, with tutorials for the first steps linked in the description.
Separation training for puppies and adult dogs
It's never too late to teach this! It may take a little longer in some cases than others, though, especially if some separation anxiety is already present.
Finding a trainer that uses intimidation free methods can also help you work through this, it can be really helpful to have someone guide you through this type of process.
@elias512 Like many say small intervals of leaving works if you have a camera to watch on your phone that would be helpful too to ease your anxiety.
Some of the more expensive cameras you can talk to your dog thru.
I had a cheap one that we used to watch my Dad on when he had dementia. I can hear sounds but I couldn't talk to my Dad thru it but I was just in the next room so I didn't need the expensive one.
I'm up to leaving my dog an hour and a half now and the gym was a big thing for me so just keep practicing and you will get there.
@elias512 Idk why everyone is saying to use food when this usually causes more anxiety and becomes a departure cue that the dog associates with stress/bad things. You should be doing sub threshold training and managing necessary absences with dog sitters/family and friends. Get a baseline and work up from there by increasing time at 10% for each aced mission. Dog should only be left alone during mission times, other than that you should do your best to suspend absences or use outside resources for puppy sitting when you absolutely need to leave.
All SA related books preface that food should not be used in training.
@elias512 Following! In same position with 8 months old. Working under the threshold still means only seconds with a door or gate closed between us inside the apartment. We get nowhere.
@elias512 My pup had terrible separation anxiety when we got him at 5mo and would howl and whine when we had to go to work, run errands and it was so stressful that I had anxiety. What worked for us was to make sure he had full view of the front door where he likes to wait, and also a going out treat which he only gets just as we're about to step out. Anxiety got a lot better after 2 weeks and he's now 8mo and can be left at home alone for 6-7 hours.
@elias512 My pup does the same thing ....peanut butter lick pad, chicken jerky and doggie daycare two times a week fixed most of our superglue issues so I could get some things done.
I also made him a super comfy special bed in my bedroom with special toys and stuffed animals, blankets, so when he's a good boy he knows he gets to come in there and sleep at night.
@elias512 My first dog had separation anxiety which developed later. I just started going out the door and immediately coming back in (before she had time to freak out) and then rewarded her. Then increased to a few seconds and so on. She didn’t have separation anxiety after a few months of that.
@elias512 Some training advice I was given was to find a treat that's incredible for the dog. Marrow bone or Kong toy. Something you know they love and importantly they can be trusted with.
Then give them said treat and leave for 5 seconds. Come back and take the treat away. Repeat increasing by 5 seconds at first then slowly increasing duration.
Another great thing to do is crate train as this helps to eliminate this type of behaviour naturally.
We have a 10 month old Golden retriever. We can leave her for 2 hours easily without any negative consequences.
What we did was train her to sleep in her crate from day one. We also slowly introduced her to more of our living environment as she learned to behave. What this meant was that she was always left in a room even for a few minutes if we needed to do anything around the house. So if I come upstairs to do the laundry, shed close in our kitchen, living room dining room as she's not allowed upstairs.
@elias512 If you haven't got a crate already get one immediately. In the evenings, or when you're at home put him in the cage for short periods and only let him out at periods of silence.
Praise quiet times only. Then practice putting him in the crate and going outside the house for a walk, come back etc. Try not to overpraise the pup when you come home, wait until they calm down to give them attention.
My fox terrier is now 1 and follows me everywhere in the house, but crate training allows me to leave him at home with zero issues because he knows I'm coming back. I also don't let him sleep with me at night and put him in the kitchen to establish alone time. Crates give them a safe place. My guy goes in it by himself in the evenings and daytime because he loves it.
@elias512 When I started leaving my puppy alone, I made sure I gave home something to focus on whenever I left. In the crate, he got a Kong with some stuff in it (usually frozen). Once I was leaving him out of the crate, it was some kibble or treats. Sometimes in a puzzle toy, or scrunched up in a blanket he has to snuffle through, or just a few pieces tossed in the floor.
He's now an adult and anxious about everything except being left alone. He still gets a little something most times I leave, and he just barely looks up at me from his treasure as I walk out the door.
@missionaryme Here’s what’s worked for me so far:
Capturing calm- rewarding her whenever she’s very calm or doing her own thing. Reward could be some low value treat, or even a smile and a nod if she gets too excited when you approach.
Start small- she has to build trust through repetition that you’ll always return and she’s not been imprisoned. Once crated go out of her line of sight and then reappear once she’s settled. So she knows whining doesn’t get results.
Patience and strength are required. The strength to resist their crying cuz it’s heart breaking. And patience because they only learn through repetition and trial and error.
I read someone saying you gotta reclaim things you wanna do. Remember she has to adjust to your long term schedule and not the other way round.
