How to break a dog of separation anxiety?

[chkltcow]

Anybody have any tips or advice on how to break our dog of separation anxiety? He's a decent dog and fairly obedient... but hyper when new people come around.... and absolutely insane when he's left alone. We leave him in the master bathroom during the day so he has a little bit of space.... but not after today. My wife got home and let him out to find this:

So, anybody have any advice on how we can break him of this lunacy when he's left alone? He has tons of toys to play with, tons of bones to chew on.... but lately he's taken to scratching at the door to get it open, and now this.

 

[MAM]

Try crate training.

 

[Opcn]

I seem to remember something about leaving the TV or a radio on for your animal, so it doesn't feel alone.

 

[wuvmybetta]

I seem to remember something about leaving the TV or a radio on for your animal, so it doesn't feel alone.

Yup, I agree. Something so the quiet doesn't make him stir crazy. I've been leaving my TV on while I'm away for over ten years now . I leave the stereo on for the fish )
He really did a number on your bathroom!!

 

[livelife]

I agree with crate training. Not only are you preventing the destruction of your house, you're also protecting your pup from injury.

That being said, there's also another issue to separation anxiety. Make sure you go over this with the entire family. Consistency is the key and this needs to be practiced by everyone in the household, children included.

**DO NOT make a fuss when you leave the house. Make leaving the house no big deal. Don't say good-bye to the dog. NO cooing, "I'll be back later Max. Be a good boy."

**DO NOT make a fuss when you get home from an outing. Hard as it is to do, IGNORE the dog for the first 5 to 10 mins when you get home. Take off your jacket, your shoes, give NO ackknowlegement to the dog's frantic behaviour, etc... and once he's calmed down a bit THEN greet your dog. Again, don't greet with a big fuss. A "hey Max" with a little scratch behind the ears is good. Fawning all over your dog and saying "oh you poor baby, you've been home alone, we missed you so much" with the big hugs and exhuberant greeting is NOT GOOD.

When you make a big fuss or signal your leaving/arriving, you're essentially telling your dog that it's a big deal, a momentous occasion and he gets stressed and anxious. That's when they get destructive. Make it so that leaving/arriving is just part of the daily routine, no fuss, no muss. Just a ho-hum occasion and nothing to get excited about.

The radio is also a very good suggestion, the dog feels like there's still someone there. Giving him something to occupy him, like a Kong filled with peanut butter would keep him busy and his mind off your absence until he gets more adjusted to being left alone.

HTH! Good luck!
Nat

 

[pebbles]

the radio or tv even may help .. whilst i realise it may not be possible for you ,the answer to my problems was another dog to keep company .it could work two ways.. either curl up together till you get home ... or double trouble ... hope you manage to find a solution . pebbs

 

[Earthgirl]

I gotta agree with MAM and livelife.

My basset still gets kenneled when we leave for long periods, but sor short periods he just sleeps on the couch. We have severe seperation anxiety with him as a puppy (such as your wife came home to but add poop from me going to the corner store, 5 min gone )
He had a large kennel that we shrunk to the size that it was able for him to just turn around in. We also covered it and made it like a cave. I found this worked for him. He still does not like the kennel, but I get him to go in it without a prob every time and I know that he is safe and that my house is ok when I come home.