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Don’t you just hate it when your dog barks non-stop while you’re gone?Separation anxiety in dogs is a leading reason for dogs chewing up clothing and furniture, and even clawing doors and windows when they’re alone.   By using dog separation anxiety training, you can often solve this problem.

You have two goals with this training.  The first is to make your dog less dependent on you, and the second is to teach him that being by himself isn’t a bad thing.

Basics Of Dog Separation Anxiety Training

It’s important that your dog know his place in the family pecking order.  The dog should be at the bottom of the family heap, not the top.  Even if your dog sees you as the pack leader, it’s important that he doesn’t rank himself socially above the other members of the family.  Everyone in your home should be involved in dog training so that your dog understands that he needs to obey everyone in the house, not just you.

Your dog shouldn’t get too attached to you, as this leads to canine anxiety.  We’ve all seen the 90-pound dogs who always want to curl up in someone’s lap.  It’s funny at first, but it gets old fast.  It’s best to train your dog to sit or stay about three feet from you.He needs to learn that he can be happy even if you’re not there.

Don’t let your dog sleep in the bed with you.  If he’s already doing this, first train him to sleep at the foot of your bed.  Then encourage him to sleep in his own doggie bed, with the eventual goal of moving his bed out of your bedroom.You want him to learn to become more independent of you.

Make sure your dog gets lots of exercise to burn up the extra energy he has.  A long walk in the morning and again in the evening goes a long way toward keeping your dog on an even keel emotionally.

This sounds harsh, but don’t make a big scene when you come home.  Encouraging your dog to jump around, barking in excitement when you return, is only reinforcing the idea that he can’t be happy unless you’re there.Don’t pay any attention to your dog for twenty minutes or so before you leave, or after you return.

Teaching Dogs With Separation Anxiety To Be Happy When They’re Alone

Work on teaching your dog the basic “sit,”, “relax,” and “stay” commands.  He needs to know these basic commands so you can work on these steps.

Find a reason to leave the room if you’re watching tv.  Use the “sit-stay” command, and then leave.  At first come right back, and reward your dog with a tasty treat if he stayed and didn’t follow you.Slowly lengthen the amount of time that you’re gone.  Do this many times a day, so that your dog learns that when you leave, you do come back.  He also learns that if he sits and waits patiently for you, he gets rewarded.

You’ll also want to find a room in your house where your dog can’t destroy anything.  Put your dog in there with a few favorite toys that he only gets when he’s by himself.  Stay with him a little while, and then leave without any fuss, and close the door behind you.  Come back before he gets upset, and reward him with a food treat.  Repeat this as often during the day as you can, gradually increasing the amount of time you’re gone. When you’re done with the training session, be sure to put these toys away.

What your dog is learning now is that he gets fun toys when you’re gone, and a treat when you return.He’s learning that being alone isn’t so bad after all.

Your next step? To take what you’ve just learned and apply it.  You’ll want to avoid making mistakes as you use dog separation anxiety training to solve your canine anxiety problems.  Just click on any link in this article to learn about a great dog training course that may help to solve your problem.

If canine separation anxiety is a problem for your pet, there are many things you can do to help.  There are also many things you can do to make the problem worse.  Here’s a list of do’s and don’ts for dealing with dogs with separation anxiety.  We’ll look at the “don’ts” first, and then finish up with the “do’s.”

Here Are Things You Shouldn’t Do When Dealing With Dogs With Separation Anxiety

The most important thing you need to know is that you should never punish your dog when he’s acting out because he’s scared.  This will only make him even more anxious.  Plus, unless you catch him in the act of destructive dog behavior, he won’t know what he’s being punished for.

You need to rethink how you interact with your dog. Dogs with separation anxiety is a problem that’s often related to dominance issues.  A dog who thinks he’s the pack leader will be anxious when his followers leave.  This is because in the wild, although the leader can leave the pack for a while, the other members of the pack can’t leave the leader.

To assert your position as pack leader, try these suggestions.  Instead of giving your dog attention every time he asks for it, you should be the one initiating contact with him.  Feed him after you eat, because pack members eat only after the alpha dog has eaten.Make sure he is either walking next to you or behind you when you take him for a walk.  Don’t allow him to pull on his leash ahead of you, because the pack leader always goes first.

Discourage your dog from becoming too attached to you.Don’t let him sit or lie down closer than three feet away.To keep him at a distance, you may need to put something on the floor or rearrange the furniture to block him.

Don’t let your dog sleep on your bed.  Ideally, he shouldn’t even be in the same room.  Start out by making him sleep at the foot of the bed, and then get him a dog bed to sleep in.  Eventually move his bed out of your bedroom.

If there are other people in the household, take turns feeding the dog and taking him for walks.  This way your dog won’t become too dependent on one person.

Here Are Things You Should Be Doing To Help A Dog With Canine Separation Anxiety

You may be surprised to find out that your dog knows you’re leaving a lot sooner than you think he does.  You may go take a shower, comb your hair, put on your work clothes.Your dog learns to associate these things with your leaving, because he’s keeping an eye on you.

Your goal here is to desensitize your dog to these cues that you’re leaving.  Do these same things, but then stay home.  Get your car keys, and put on your coat.  Then sit back down.  This is a slow process, and you’ll have to do it many times over several weeks, but eventually your dog won’t get upset when you do them.

Do make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise.Take him for a long, vigorous walk before you leave in the morning, and again in the evening.  This will use up excess energy, and help him to remain calmer in your absence.

Keep your exits and entrances low-key.  Ignore your dog for twenty minutes before you leave, and again for twenty minutes when you come home.If he gets worked up when you return, don’t encourage him by petting or praising him.  You want him to learn to accept your comings and goings in a matter-of-fact manner.   

Does your pet have a problem with separation anxiety in dogs? Just click on any link in this article to learn  about a dog training course that will help to solve your buddy’s problem.

Having to leave your puppy alone can be stressful for both of you. He is in new surroundings and depends on you for everything. This can cause separation anxiety in dogs. It is important to prepare the new comer for this experience, making it easier for you not to worry while you are away.

A dogs separation anxiety will be evident when you notice unwanted behaviors occurring each time you leave. He may scratch the door, chew things he knows are off limits, and bark constantly.

Your dog may make it a point to relieve himself on the floor, destroy your furniture and cause all out chaos while you are away, and this will start the very moment you walk out the door.

Man’s best friend loves human interaction, but if you work outside of the home, it is necessary to leave your dog behind until you return. Begin by gradually introducing him to being separated from you.

Crating your dog for short periods while you are there and gradually increasing   his crate time will help him adjust to being confined. If his behavior is good, offer praise when releasing him and his favorite treat.

Dogs with separation anxiety may refuse to eat while you are away, and in extreme cases they may shed excessive amounts of hair due to the stress. It is important not to ignore this problem.

Next, begin leaving the house for short periods, and gradually increase these times, offering quiet praise for good behavior. (You can simply stand outside of the door and listen for tell-tale barking or whining)

You may wish to hire someone to walk your dog during the day to give him some fresh air and break up his isolation. Keeping your schedule consistent during the weekends as well will also help him adjust.

When your pup gets to be a year old to one and a half, he may be ready for freedom from his crate. You may test him to see if he can be trusted by leaving for an hour or so. If nothing is chewed or out of order, offer praise and his favorite treat as usual.

Do not make a big deal out of leaving and returning. Make it a casual affair, uneventful. Do the same when you return. Do not go directly to the crate unless it is a young pup who has been alone for a long period and needs to be let out.

If possible, wait until he quiets down before releasing him from his crate. Do not act overly excited yourself when you get home, and chances are he will remain calm as well, once accustomed to this routine.

Taking the time to prepare your dog for being home alone will make both of you happier and you will not have to worry about ways to cure dog separation anxiety.

copyright Danny Taylor

Leaving your canine alone is a necessity if you work outside of the home and there is no one else to keep him company. As a result, dog separation anxiety may occur. This article will show you what to look for and hopefully prevent this from happening altogether.

Separation anxiety in dogs is a common occurrence, especially if your pet has been rescued from a shelter and was previously abandoned. This canine has self esteem issues and needs reassurance that your absence will not be forever. First, how to spot this issue.

Dogs with separation anxiety will exhibit these types of behaviors:
Excessive barking, destruction of furniture, clawing at the door, (which will be evident when you return home) inappropriate urination and defecation if he has been otherwise house broken; and other behaviors not within the norm.

They will bark, howl, chew and generally destroy your belongings and furniture. My dog “Co-Co” once managed to plant garbage inside my perfectly made bed! I had cleaned up the trail of trash and went to retire for the night. Upon pulling back the covers, there it was: a pile of coffee grounds-along with the filter!

She had grown accustomed to being with me everywhere I went-even in the car for trips to the store. When I abruptly changed this routine, she reacted with inappropriate behavior. I looked for ways to cure dog separation anxiety and gradually broke her of it.

First of all, do not make a big production out of leaving the house with long good-byes and lots of cooing and carrying on. This will get the dog excited, perhaps getting the impression that he will be joining you. Then once you leave, this energy will go into destroying the house.

Another mistake people make is  a dramatic return to reassure the dog. The last thing you want to do is encourage destructive behavior, so if there is evidence of “fowl play” when you walk in the door, express your dislike for the mess with saying “shame” in a disapproving tone, but do not look at the dog or interact with him until it is clean.

If your dog is naturally full of energy, set aside the time for a walk and play before you depart your residence. Helping him to work off some of this energy may help. It’s always good to keep a routine, but if you will be changing it, plan in advance, or you will have a problem.

To help avoid dog separation anxiety, gradually get him adjusted to being alone by leaving for very short periods and different intervals. Remember not to make a big deal of your departure or when you return.

Some people will leave the television on for their pooch to alleviate the sense of isolation. Or perhaps introduce a play pal if that is feasible: another pet or someone to come in and walk him in the afternoons to break up a long lonely day.

copyright Danny Taylor

Dogs with separation anxiety can be highly destructive and difficult to deal with. This behavioral problem can lead to chewed furniture, shoes, and walls, scratched floors, destroyed houseplants, and many other destructive problems.  Some dogs bark and whine the entire time their owner is out. While this may not physically damage your home, it can drive your neighbors insane. Not to mention, the behavior is not healthy for the mental stability of your pet.

One of the worst things an owner can do when their dog displays symptoms of dog separation anxiety is to return home to comfort the canine. By doing this, you are only reinforcing the bad behavior. Your pet now knows it has control to bring you back home by being destructive. Even if you return home to scold Fido, he will still view it as a solution to his worries.

Before attempting dog separation anxiety cures, determine if you are in fact dealing with a case of anxiety.  In some cases, the behavior could stem from pure boredom coupled with excessive energy. Try walking your dog daily or even more often, depending on the breed. Play with your dog each day. Exercise the energy out of him or her then see if the behavior continues. You may find you have a more content and happy pup with just a little more physical activitiy.

If you are still experiencing problems, then it is most likely your dogs separation anxiety at the root of it all. Begin by setting aside specific playtime to be with your dogs. This time should be dedicated strictly to you and your dog. This is also an idea time to exercise, which can still help alleviate the behavior problems. A tired dog is going to be less likely to tear plants and pillows.

The ideal time for such a play session is prior to leaving the house for the day. This will give your dog peace of mind just before you depart. Do not end playtime and immediately leave. Instead, allow your pup to calm down for a few minutes before saying your good byes.

Another dog separation anxiety treatment is to being gradually leaving at odd times throughout the day. You do not have to actually leave home each time, just create the illusion you are doing so. Make sure you do this for varied lengths of time and at random times throughout the day. Your dog should not be able to predict when you will do it.

With time and patience, you can find a solution to your problems, even when dealing with an older dogs separation anxiety. Ease your pup’s mind and work out his or her frustrations with regular exercise and play time. Make sure you are not mistaking pure boredom and excessive energy for separation anxiety. In the end, you can overcome the bad behavior for a more peaceful minded pup.

Copyright Danny Taylor

If separation anxiety in dogs is a problem for your canine friend, there are several dog behavior modification techniques you can use to change his behavior.

How To Handle Mild Cases Of Dogs With Separation Anxiety

The most important thing to do is to keep your comings and goings low-key.It’s not a good thing if your dog gets too excited when you come home and does a happy dance for longer than a minute.

Many dog owners mistakenly encourage excessively happy excited behavior in their dogs when they come home.It’s not really harmless because you’re reinforcing his belief that your homecomng as the highest point of the day.  The problem is that when you need to leave again, it makes it even harder for him to see you go.

Try leaving your dog with a piece of clothing that has your scent on it.  Dogs with separation anxiety often find it reassuring to sleep on an old sweatshirt or t-shirt that you’ve worn recently.

You may not know it, but you’ve already established “safety cues” for your dog.  A safety cue is an action you take upon leaving that tells your dog you’ll be back soon.  For example, when your dog sees you going out with the trash, he knows you’ll be right back, and he doesn’t get upset.

A good technique is to use safety cues with your dog.  If you know you’re going to be gone for a short time, you can leave the radio or tv on, or give him a certain toy to play with.  Use these safety cues when you’re practicing with your dog so he gets to know what they are.

Be careful though.If your use a safety cue for too long, your dog will learn not to trust it, and it will lose its effectiveness.  These cues are useful for shorter absences.

Canine Behavior Modification For More Severe Cases

If your buddy has a severe case of separation anxiety in dogs, you may want to try these dog behavior modification techniques.  Keep these sessions short, but do them several times a day.

You’ll start by making a lot of noise with your car keys while you put on your coat like you’re leaving, but instead, sit down again.Do this again and again, until it doesn’t bother your dog anymore.  Next, you’ll do these things and go to the door and open it, and then sit back down.  Again, keep doing it until your dog shows no interest.

Next, go out through the door, leaving it open, and then come back in.  The next step is to go though the door, and close it behind you.  Immediately come back in.  Progress to staying outside for a few minutes and coming back.

Remember to keep your exits and returns very low-key.  You don’t want your dog to get excited that you’re back.  His attitude should be, “ho-hum, it’s you again.”  If your dog gets upset at any point, you’re going too fast.  Go back to any earlier step, and start again.

You can see how you’re desensitizing your dog by teaching him that you can go away for longer and longer periods of time and still return safely.

Don’t Make The Mistake Of Teaching Your Dog The Wrong Lessons

You can see how easy it is to unknowingly train your dog to do what you don’t want him to do.  If you’re facing the problem of separation anxiety in dogs, just click on any link in this article to find help.  You’ll be amazed at how quickly and easily you can solve this problem once you understand how your canine friend thinks.

Is your canine friend showing signs of separation anxiety in dogs?  This type of destructive dog behavior can make life an absolute nightmare for a dog owner.In fact, it’s the second most common reason for people to give up their dogs or even have them put to sleep. 

To avoid a sad ending for your dog, learn the signs of the condition and find out what to do about it.

Signs Of Separation Anxiety In Dogs

Dogs with separation anxiety can vary widely in the severity of their bad behavior.  A dog with a mild case may pace around, pant, and over-groom himself. 

A dog with a more severe case may bark frantically for hours, driving the neighbors crazy.  He may display destructive dog behavior, tearing up whatever he can get a hold of.  Your dog may urinate or defecate inappropriately in the house.  He may go so far as to mutilate himself by chewing on his own tail, yanking out fur, and licking himself until he bleeds.

If you dread coming home because you don’t know what kind of mess is awaiting you, it’s time to take action to solve this problem.

Is Separation Anxiety Really The Problem, Or Is It Simply A Bored Dog?

Is your dog is bored, or does he really have a separation anxiety problem?  Here’s how you can tell:

• The destructive dog behavior occurs only when you leave him alone.If his destructive behavior is because he’s a bored dog, he’ll do it anytime, not just when he’s alone.
• Your dog is “hyperattached” to you.He wants you to hold him when he’s not following you around the house.  This is flattering for the owner, but it’s not healthy for your dog to be this attached to you.
• He’s learned what you do when you leave, and he starts getting distressed before you go.
• He begins destructive behavior within 30 minutes of your leaving home.
• He tries to destroy barriers, like a door.  A dog may go after the door he last saw you go out of.
• Your dog barks in repeated, high-pitched yips.  This is reminiscent of a puppy’s distress call when he or she is separated from mom.

If your pet does some, or all, of these things, his dog behavior problem is because of separation anxiety, not boredom.

Suggestions For Dealing With Dogs With Separation Anxiety

You may be surprised to learn that separation anxiety in canines is related to dominance issues.  In a wild dog pack, the leader can leave.  The others, however, never go away from the leader on their own. 

If your dog thinks he’s the alpha dog, or pack leader, he’ll get very upset if you leave him, since you’re not supposed to do that.  He thinks he’s responsible for you, and if you go away, something might happen to you.  Many times, once you establish yourself as the pack leader, the separation anxiety goes away.

If you’re dealing with the problem of separation anxiety in dogs, click on any link in this article to learn more about a dog training resource that will help to solve your problem.

Is separation anxiety in dogs destroying your hopes of having a happy, well-behaved dog?  Are you tired of having your pet go into a frenzy of destructive dog behavior whenever you leave him alone?  

If this describes you, you’re not alone.  This dog behavior problem is the second most common reason that pet owners have for giving up a dog, or even having him to put sleep.  But it doesn’t have to be this way.  

What Is Canine Separation Anxiety?

Basically, your dog has a panic attack when you leave him alone, usually within a half hour of your leaving.  Your canine may show the following dog behavior problems:

• High-pitched yipping and whining, in hopes of getting you to come home
• Digging at doors and windows in an effort to escape
• Inappropriate urination or defecation, even if he’s housebroken
• Destroying furniture, clothing, or whatever else he can get into

Your dog isn’t doing these things to get back at you for leaving him alone.  He’s doing it because he’s scared.

Why Does My Dog Have This Problem?

Nobody knows for sure why some dogs with separation anxiety develop this condition, and others don’t.  Some breeds, including Weimaraners, Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, and Airedales, are more likely to develop canine separation anxiety.  

When the owner is absent from home a lot, it often contributes to the problem.  Dogs are social animals who need lots of interaction with their owners to be happy.  You can break up the day for a lonely dog by taking him to a doggy day care, or having somebody come by to walk him during the day and spend some time with him.  

Avoid Making A Big Fuss When You Get Home

Does your dog greet you when you get home by jumping around and barking, almost to the point of being out of control?  Do you encourage this behavior by petting him, and lavishing attention on him when he’s acting crazy?  

Avoid making this common mistake.  It’s flattering to have your dog so happy to see you, but giving him attention when he acts like this only reinforces the idea that your daily homecoming is the highest point of his day.  Although your dog is depressed when you leave for work in the morning, he’s nearly manic when you get home in the evening.

Keep your comings and goings low-key.  Yes, he should be happy to see you, but not excessively so.

Are You The Alpha Male Or Is Your Dog?

Many dog owners make the mistake of trying to treat their dog as an equal.  Canines are pack animals, and there always a pack leader.  If you aren’t the alpha dog, there’s a leadership vacuum that your dog will step up to fill.  

If your canine thinks he’s the pack leader, he may suffer separation anxiety in dogs if you leave.  This is because in the wild, the pack leader can leave the pack and come back.  However, the other dogs (the followers) don’t have this option of leaving their pack leader.  

Your dog sees you leaving, and this upsets him because he believes he’s responsible for you as his pack member.  This is another reason you need to be the pack leader, not your dog.

The Right Training Is Key

Dogs don’t think the way we do.  They run on instinct much of the time.  Learning how your canine thinks is very important to avoid dog behavior problems.

A good dog training course that teaches you how your dog thinks is worth its weight in gold.  Instead of inadvertently rewarding your dog when he does the wrong things, you’ll be able to quickly and easily train him, once he understands what you want him to do.  

Click on any link in this article to learn how you can solve the problem of separation anxiety in dogs.

If separation anxiety in dogs is a problem for your pet, there are many things you can do to help.  There are also many things you can do to make the problem worse.  Here’s a list of do’s and don’ts for dealing with dogs with separation anxiety.  We’ll look at the “don’ts” first, and then finish up with the “do’s.”

Here Are Some Don’ts For Dealing With Dogs With Separation Anxiety

The most important thing you need to know is that you should never punish your dog when he’s acting out because he’s scared.  This will only make him even more anxious.  Plus, unless you catch him in the act of destructive dog behavior, he won’t know what he’s being punished for.

You need to rethink how you interact with your dog. The problem of separation anxiety in dogs is often related to dominance issues.  A dog who thinks he’s the pack leader will be anxious when his followers leave.  This is because in the wild, although the leader can leave the pack for a while, the other members of the pack can’t leave the leader.

To assert your position as pack leader, try these suggestions.  Instead of giving your dog attention every time he asks for it, you should be the one initiating contact with him.  Feed him after you eat, because pack members eat only after the alpha dog has eaten.Make sure he is either walking next to you or behind you when you take him for a walk.  Don’t allow him to pull on his leash ahead of you, because the pack leader always goes first. 

Discourage your dog from becoming too attached to you.Keep him a yard away from you when he sits down or lies down.To keep him at a distance, you may need to put something on the floor or rearrange the furniture to block him. 

Don’t let your dog sleep on your bed.  Ideally, he shouldn’t even be in the same room.  Start out by making him sleep at the foot of the bed, and then get him a dog bed to sleep in.  Eventually move his bed out of your bedroom.

If there are other people in the household, take turns feeding the dog and taking him for walks.  This way your dog won’t become too dependent on one person.

Here Are Things You Should Be Doing To Help A Dog With Canine Separation Anxiety

You may be surprised to find out that your dog knows you’re leaving a lot sooner than you think he does.  You may go take a shower, comb your hair, put on your work clothes.Your canine friend puts two and two together, and he associates your doing them with your leaving. 

Your goal here is to desensitize your dog to these cues that you’re leaving.  Do these same things, but then stay home.  Get your car keys, and put on your coat.  Then sit back down.  This is a slow process, and you’ll have to do it many times over several weeks, but eventually your dog won’t get upset when you do them.

Do make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise.He needs to be taken for a long vigorous walk twice a day, before you leave in the morning, and again in the evening.  This will use up excess energy, and help him to remain calmer in your absence.

Keep your exits and entrances low-key.  Ignore your dog for twenty minutes before you leave, and again for twenty minutes when you come home.Don’t encourage him by giving him your attention when he gets worked up when you come home.  You want him to learn to accept your comings and goings in a matter-of-fact manner. 

Do invest in a good dog training course.  You’ll want to choose one that focuses on teaching you how a dog’s mind works.  If you don’t understand  how your dog thinks, it’s very easy to give him the wrong idea when trying to train him.

Avoid wasting your time by inadvertently teaching your dog the wrong things.   A good dog training course is the easiest way to solve the problem of separation anxiety in dogs.

If you’re dealing with the problem of separation anxiety in dogs, visit No More Bad Dogs to learn more about a dog training course that will help to solve your problem.

Have you ever wondered why separation anxiety in dogs is a problem for some canines, but not for others?  If you’re dealing with destructive dog behavior, you may be wondering if it’s because your dog is bored, or if it’s because you have one of the four to eight percent of dogs with separation anxiety.

Although a bored dog and a dog with canine separation anxiety may both engage in destructive dog behavior, the difference lies in when the behavior begins.  Dogs with separation anxiety will go into a panic when their owners leave.His destructive dog behavior begins within a half hour, or less, of your leaving.  A bored dog, on the other hand, will be happy for a couple of hours, but then start destroying things to amuse himself.

Are Some Dogs More At Risk For Canine Separation Anxiety Than Others?

Separation anxiety is when a pet panics when he’s left by himself.  All puppies show some signs of separation anxiety.  But most of them outgrow it as they mature.  

Long-nosed breeds of dogs, like herding and guarding dogs, seem more prone to this condition.  It’s also seen more often in spaniels and setters.One vet noticed that canines with this problem are usually thinner and more prone to digestive upsets.  

Separation anxiety in dogs happens in both males and females.  It doesn’t seem to matter whether they’ve been spayed or neutered or not.  It usually starts when the dog is between five months and two years of age, although older dogs can be affected as well, usually suddenly.  Sometimes a dog owner thinks their older dog is becoming senile, but the problem is really separation anxiety instead.

Other Risk Factors For Separation Anxiety In Dogs

Sometimes puppies that were rejected by their mothers, or who were taken away from their mothers too soon, will develop separation anxiety.  Although dogs that have been bounced from one home to another may develop it, a history of abuse doesn’t seem to make a dog prone to it.  

Sometimes dogs in close-knit families who suddenly lose a family member to illness, death, or divorce develop this problem.  If a favorite person leaves to go to college, or a new baby suddenly takes up a lots of the favorite person’s time, it can have an impact on a dog.  

The problem of separation anxiety often runs in the family in humans, and this is true of dogs, too.If your pet has a parent or litter mate with separation anxiety, he’ll be at higher risk of developing it than a dog that doesn’t.  

Sometimes the problem lies with the dog owner.  It can be flattering to have a dog that follows you around, not letting you out of his sight for a second.  It’s tempting to give your dog lots of attention when you get home and he’s so happy to see you that he bounces around, barking and giddy with joy, for several minutes.  

However, while your dog should be happy to see you when you come home, his happy dance really shouldn’t last for more than 30 seconds to a minute.  Anything longer indicates that your dog has a problem, and it’s not good to encourage it.

How Can Dogs With Separation Anxiety Be Helped?

Your vet does have drug treatments available for dogs with severe cases of canine separation anxiety, but it’s best to try dog behavior modification techniques first.

You can take steps to desensitize your dog to your leaving.While this is a long process that can’t be rushed, it can be very successful.  A good dog training course can be extremely helpful, especially one that teaches you how your dog thinks.

So make the decision to invest in a dog training course that teaches you how your dog thnks.  This is the best way to avoid inadvertently training him to do exactly what you don’t want him to do.

If you’re dealing with the problem of separation anxiety in dogs, visit No More Bad Dogs to learn more about a dog training course that will help to solve your problem.

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