4 step approach for dealing with separation anxiety in dogs

Step 1: Desensitise your dog to your movement

When you move from room to room your dog has got into the habit of following you they have become a velcro dog. When your dog cannot see or be with you panic sets in.

Here are 2 ways to desensitising your dog to your movement and stop them from constantly following you:

1. Shuffling in your seat

Before you get to the point of standing up and moving away shuffle in your chair
cross and uncross your legs move your arms up and down. If your dog reacts to your movement
stop and wait for them to relax again. Repeat this until your dog does not react to your shuffling

2. Desensitise to your walking

Stand then immediately sit. Move towards a stand and step forward then backward and sit down again. You’ll get to a stage where you can walk around your room freely while your dog remains rested. This can take a good few sessions even more in extreme cases

Step 2: Desensitise your dog to exit triggers

Anxiety builds with every trigger from what time you start your day what you’re wearing to how you feel and smell.

Begin in the kitchen sitting room or office and shut the door to the room you and your dog are in. Between each movement if your dog reacts sit and wait or help to calm:

• Start by shuffling in your seat again.
• Begin moving around your room. Return to sit in your chair and calm your dog when needed. Once your dog is happy for you to walk around the room move on to walking to the door
• Walk to the door and back to your chair. When your dog can relax with you walking to the door and back progress to touching the doorknob and back away. Progress to open and shut the door and back to your seat

Step 3: Leaving the room

Show your dog that everything you do doesn’t have to involve them:

• Exit the room and close the door for 1 second
• Return shut the door and return to your chair / computer /book
• Repeat the 1 second out then increase your time out by seconds initially
• Say nothing and have zero eye contact on your departure or return.
• Rest and ensure your dog is calm between each return

If your dog is over-exuberant on your return you’ve been out too long or preparation hasn’t been slow enough. Do go back to step 1 and 2 help your dog settle – you may have to use a ‘Calm Hold’ or calm silent walk to make this happen

Step 4: Leaving the house

Separation anxiety varies for many dogs. It may be on weekdays when you go to work
out shopping or out in the evening. You leaving the house is many dogs’ greatest fear.

Even if your dog is happy to be separated from you in another room go through the above steps to ensure they are prepared mentally when you begin your mini departures and returns.

Leave by one door and return by another if you can. Out the front door and return by the back door.
then leave by the back door and enter via the front. 

Separation anxiety in dogs guide.