Following on from the top 3 house training tips last month, here are my top 3 tips to help prevent separation anxiety. These tips are likely the most applicable to new puppy parents, but they can apply to any dog that you have recently welcomed into your home. Separation can be difficult for both the human and the dog, but the more comfortable your dog is with being alone, the more comfortable you will feel leaving them!
1. Create a Safe Space
A safe space is a secure area that your dog is comfortable in and is somewhere they can relax. The key with a safe space is that your dog actually enjoys being there. For example, if you use a crate or a pen but your dog is reluctant to go inside or they are trying to get out, then they are not comfortable! Confinement can be difficult for some dogs and a crate is not the only option for safe spaces. It could be a certain area of the house that can be blocked off with a baby gate. Make the safe space the go-to place for great things your dog loves like dinner, enrichment, their favourite toys, comfy bedding etc. Be sure it is away from the main hustle and bustle of the house if possible, so your dog can relax without being constantly interrupted.
2. Meet Your Dog’s Needs
Your dog may struggle to settle when you leave them alone if certain needs have not been met. Are they hungry? Bored? Lonely? Have they been sitting around without any interaction from you all day? It is a common misconception that dogs just need to be ‘worn out’ by a big walk to make them settle. Exercise is an important component in your dog’s daily routine, but it should coincide with enrichment and social connection (e.g. play, training). A satisfied dog is more likely to be a settled dog!
3. Start Small
Absences shouldn’t start with leaving the house. Small separation throughout the day is important to help your dog understand that they don’t always need to be glued to your hip. Start with your dog in their safe space and yourself close by where they can still see and hear you. If you need to go out of sight for a quick moment (like a shower!) give your dog something to do in their safe space like a Kong or other enrichment toy. Build your dog’s independence at home from day one. Give them clear communication for when they can and can’t follow you around. If you are practising independence with a new puppy, remember that they have likely just come from a busy home environment with all their siblings around, so they may find it difficult to be on their own at all at first. Prioritise building a bond with them and put their comfort first before any training goals.
These are general tips that have been effective for multiple clients of mine, but of course every dog is different, so if you need extra support, feel free to get in touch! If you think you have a severe separation issue, I highly recommend checking out Dog Mum Mindset (send me an email at kaitlin@encoredogs.com if you’d like a discount code for the Separation Spectrum).
