Anyone successfully cured separation anxiety?

Question

I am pretty educated as far as dog behavior, learning theory, and desensitization, I just want to hear from people that have treated it successfully and what worked, what didn't. My dog just whines when she can't see me and occasionally chews something when nobody's home. It's not serious...yet. I've had her for 1 month and she is about 1 year old. I am her second owner.

Answer 1

My dog has serious separation anxiety. I tried keeping her in our fenced backyard while at work, but she turned the yard into Swiss cheese by digging holes, then she dug out under the fence and has attacked our mailman twice. So I constrained her on a chain in the backyard, but then received two complaints in the mail due to all-day barking and whining; one more complaint would result in a $300 fine. So I put her in the garage while at work. She scratched lines of paint off the door to the house; chewed the connecting rope that opens the garage door and got out; peed all over the floor, which flowed over onto our storage boxes; then finally when I permantly affixed the garage door shut, she got herself stuck in the wall by pushing through a metal screen and the opening wasn't big enough for her to fit. She cried all day until we found her. What a baby dog! But she is great when we're home... a very kind, lovable, well-behaved dog when we're around.

I spoke to a behaviorist who said my problem could possibly be solved with lots of time and money spent on training... trying things like leaving her for a few minutes, then returning. Then leaving for a few more minutes longer, then returning (so she learns that I'm coming back and not abandoning her). The KEY thing, she said, was to not act any differently when you leave or come back, to just act normally, do NOT show the dog added attention. For example, when you leave, don't pet the dog, hug it, say goodbye, or show any display of over-attention; maybe just say something neutral, like "Stay." And likewise, when you come back in, just ignore the dog. Maybe say, "Hi," or "Good girl," in a very neutral voice. But DON'T be all, "Oh!!! My good girl!! How've you've been?!!!" and start petting her all crazy.

I did start practicing these methods for a short while, but I didn't have the time necessary to devote to it. So ultimately, the solution I chose was to spend $260 a month to take her to doggy day care. And this was the BEST decision I could've ever made because she loves it there!!! She gets exercise, she loves the dogs, she loves the guy who watches them. It's a large property with big, outdoor yards with wooden platforms for them to climb up on or sleep under in the shade, tents, and lots of plants and, overall, other dogs to play with. There's four different yards, so friendly dogs are grouped together; unfriendly dogs get their own yard; etc. You might look for something like that in your area. Otherwise, try the timely practice of leaving your house constantly throughout the day so your dog just gets used to it, returning after 5 minutes, then 10 minutes, then 15, then 30, etc. and again--don't act any differently or give added attention when you leave or return. Also, as someone said above, it is helpful to leave the dog with a worn sweater that smells like you, and also to play some soft music, and definitely leave the dog with plenty to keep it occupied (e.g., raw hide bones, greeny bones; or get creative and hide bones around the house! haha, I've done that...)

Good luck. :)

P.S. It did start to help when I practiced what the behaviorist said; again, I just didn't have time to keep it up. However, she is to the point now where I can go outside to mow the lawn or clean my car and she stays quietly inside minding her own business and not freaking out like she used to. It did help....

Answer 2

I have not had this problem personally. I have been in rescue for years and years, though, and have had adoptive parents who've had to tackle this issue. I work with greyhounds and nine times out of ten the adoptive parents have ended up getting a second dog which has eased the separation anxiety considerably! I think dogs are social creatures naturally, which I'm sure you know. It's hard as a human not to be able to communicate with them that you ARE coming back! They don't have the gift of the English language, unfortunately! Good luck if you are going through this yourself. I hope you find your solution.

Answer 3

i have found my dog is almost like dealing with a child, routines work well. any dog will chew, that is what they do! try leaving doggie bones etc for her, but other then that, if she is inside, and only a year old,,,, expect the chewing, that is normal, try to put up whatever is valuable,,,,,, as to the separtion,,,,, as i said, they can be like children, if she is only a year old, and you are her second owner, she is afraid of losing you,,,, there again a rountine might help,,,,,,, time together, then set time apart. my dog, which came from a humane shelter, would not leave our yard to go for a walk, for almost 5 months, it took alot of tiny steps,,,,, for him to feel comfortable ,,,, and he was only 7 weeks old when i got him! i would just give it time, one month is not very long , hopefully your dog will feel more secure as time goes by

Answer 4

Dogs are a pain in the butt like that, can't cook can't eat, can't lock em' outta the bedroom with out them barking.
It's not that I hate dogs, but I'll be damned if I'm going own one.

Answer 5

she has abandonment issues! It will take time for her to trust that you arent going to leave her. Sometimes it helps if you give her a blanket with your scent on it and lots of treats and doggie toys to keep her occupied.