Separation Anxiety BLUES 6
De-sensitizing / Conditioning.
De-sensitizing is creating a different outcome for your dog’s experience of a routine response. Example – your dog gets anxious when you pick up your keys because he associates that action with your leaving. Practice with your dog by picking up your keys, walking to the door, placing them down, and not leaving. If your dog is anxious, repeat the sequence items until your dog is calm about them. When you have practiced the getting-ready-togo sequence and your dog is not anxious, now you’re ready for conditioning. First practice the departure as before, only adding an everyday “cue” which your dog will remember and recognize. This could involve asking the dog to stay (or go to crate), leaving a radio on, or even spraying a certain scent in the air.
dog who works through this stress to become a self-assured, balanced animal who can deal with routine.
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Take your dog to doggie day care.
There are a number of outstanding selections in our area. Most offer indoor-outdoor play zones and some provide mini play groups or long pasture walks and outdoor adventures. Plan on an initial consultation visit and then try a once- or twice-a-week routine. Some
his anxiety is the result of his separation from you, not just the result of being alone. It is of crucial importance, therefore, that you are clearly the leader over your first dog before you consider getting a second dog. If you successfully position yourself as such, your first dog will help you teach the second one the rules of the house in general, while the two dogs build a companion and friendship relationship to relieve stress when you are not at home with them. However, please fully consider your dog and your situation before taking
This becomes a “practice cue” and a “safety cue”. You are working to create a positive state of mind through de-sensitizing and conditioning.
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YOU may need a new approach.
Establish new boundaries for yourself. Disregard the bad behavior and reward the good. Give him chew toys or some other interactive toy with which to occupy himself while you quietly remain near by. If your dog abandons the toy to try to demand your attention, quietly get him interested in the toy again, and quietly praise him for playing with it. Don’t give in when your dog barks, whines, or insists upon your eye contact. Keep your eye on the prize: a HauteDog Magazine | TUG | Page 20
locations will also offer a homelike boarding kennel when you have to be away for an extended period of time. Sometimes getting a second dog will help an anxious dog cope with his ‘people’ leaving. You may still want to crate your dogs while you are gone, however, and positioning the crates close to one another can ease your dogs’ tension. Many people will tell you that getting your dog a companion may not help an anxious dog because
on the responsibility and cost of another dog.