Separation anxiety can be hard on owners and their pets. Separation anxiety can get very bad and healh threatening as well an expensive for the owner. Dogs that are affected will be destructive, noisy and mess in the house when left alone. Resolving this behaviour can be hard and involves some changes to your routine and your relationship with your dog. There are medications that your vet could give your dog which can help as part of an overall program.

There are some Behavioural modification techniques that you can try.

Leaving the House:-

1. Try not to have a 'leaving ritual' before you leave the house or go to bed as this will only increase your dog's anxiety. Get things ready well in advance. e.g. close doors, put coat by the door or even wear your coat for 5 mintues before you leave etc. For 10-30 mins sit quite in the same room as your dog, but not engaging with him/her.

2. Make leaving a 'non-event'. Just quietly get up and leave without looking at or speaking to your dog. 

 Returning Home:-

if you return to a mess DO NOT PUNISH YOUR DOG. Remember, your dog only makes the mess in the first place because it is anxious. If you repeatedly or even just occasionally punish your dog when you get home, this will only make the anxiety worse, making your dog unhappy and slowing progress. Away remember to make this as much of a 'non-event' as possible. The big welcome home is a joy for us all, but does not help the dog with separation anxiety.

1) Initially ignore your dog. Don't speak to him/her, don't make eye contact and don't talk. If your dog jumps up at you (as they often do) then just turn to one side so the front feet fall back to the floor rather than pushing the dog away, which will reward with physical contact!

2) Make your way to where you can sit quietly whilst ignoring your dog. Continue to ignore your dog until he/she settles down in their bed. This may take a long time at the start.

3) Once they have been there for a few minutes, reward this good behaviour by (quietly) going over to stroke and praise him/her. If your dog leaps up and becomes excited again then return to your seating position until he/she calms down again and returns to their bed. This could take several attempts before you actually reach your dog in the bed!

You will have to be very patient initially, but eventually your dog will learn two things. Firstly, and most importantly, your dog will learn that their happiness is not entirely dependent upon your constant presence. Secondly, your dog will learn that when you do leave, you will be returning soon.

Relieving Boredom

Boredom in dogs is not the same thing as separation anxiety, but can be a contributory factor in destructive or messy behaviour. Many dogs may suffer from both problems at once.

1) Exercising will obviously help with this, but remember to keep your dog's attention engaged. A dog which only runs around on trips out will just get fitter and need more exercise! Try to make your dog's mind work as well. This can be done using a variety of finding/retrieving/waiting games. Be imaginative to keep your dog on its' toes.

2) Toys:-There are chews or toys which can have food put in them and are better option than normal toys. You can even put normal meals in a toy such as the 'Buster Cube' and Kongs.

Training classes can be very helpful to dog and owner!

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