Dog Separation Anxiety and Behavior Modification Training
November 25, 2009 | Filed Under: Dog Training
Dog separation anxiety is one of the most common problems dog owners face. Dogs develop separation anxiety for many different reasons. Some of the most common reasons are lack of exercise, a traumatic event, or a sudden change in schedule. Dog separation anxiety symptoms are expressed in a various ways
There are plenty of different symptoms. Mild symptoms include changes in body language and whining. Dogs with severe separation anxiety may wreck furnishings or injure themselves. The majority of cases of dog anxiety can be resolved using behavior modification exercises.
What is Behavior Modification Training
Behavior Modification is a type of dog training that is used to replace on type of behavior with another. one example, Pretend your dog pulls at the end of the leash when you walk him, you can teach him to heel using obedience (the heel command), or you can teach him to walk by your side by rewarding correct behavior (heeling next to you), and correcting or ignoring bad behavior (the pulling). A major benefit about changing your dogs behavior through training is that they will act appropriately even when you are not around.
There are a number of great drills for dogs with separation anxiety. I highly recommend desensitization exercises. As you get ready to leave your home, you may observe your dog showing signs of anxiety. Your dogs understands your routine before you go by the things you do before you are gone. When your dog has determined you will go somewhere when you put on your coat, just put on your coat more often. Throughout the day, you can put on your coat, and pick up your keys, then walk to the door. When you get there, turn around and go back to what you were doing. What you are doing is removing your dogs association with you leaving to the you putting on your coat. It can take some effort, but the effort is worthwhile. Once you have completed a number of desensitization drills, your dog will be calm and happy when you leave.
Separation anxiety won’t go away on it’s own and can become a serious problem. In fact , it often gets much worse. Don’t delay treatment until your dog hurts themselves, or wrecks your property! If you want to learn the secrets of behavior modification training, and how to cure canine separation anxiety, visit http://www.dogseparationanxietyhelp.com.
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Old habits are hard to break in a dog and the pet owner. I use to work from home a lot and the tough economic times have forced me to seek regular employment. My dog was use to seeing me at home but now I was leaving for longer periods of time and I noticed her anxiety level is up quite a bit. She hasn’t picked up any destructive habits but she definitely seems more clingy than before. The desensitization exercise you described regarding going through the routine of leaving the house (put on coat and take keys) but not actually going through with it seems that the dog is being taunted and not calmed.
This happened to my dog when I had to go away for college, when I came back my mom had told me that the dog would whine and cry at night, because he knew I was gone.
Till then,
Jean
This was and easy a problem my wife and i have with our Cocker Spaniel. I have done many of the things you suggest, like picking up the keys throughout the day, and she has gotten better. She doesn’t start “singing” as soon as we walk out the door like she used to, but sometimes she is when we get back home.
I guess we still have a little more work to do.
I tried your technique with pretending to leave, then going back to what I was doing. It actually seems to have worked – when I take off my coat and resume what I was doing, I don’t talk to or touch my dog until I know he has calmed down.
In my research for understanding natural treatments for anxiety, anxiety attacks and panic attacks, one of the major underpinnings for self understanding and gaining control of the anxiety response is that, a lot of it has to do with \"the fear of the fear\" and \"fear of losing control\".
My cats actually respond quite similarly when we leave. They get especially worried when we bring any suitcases or overnight bags to the door. I have a feeling that these dog training techniques just wouldn’t work on cats. Still, I will keep these tips in mind as we plan to get a dog soon.