Hey Dog Lovers,
Today we talk about Separation Training Tips. Especially with COVID-19 and the stay at home order many owners have gotten dogs and they have been with them 24/7. While spending time with your dog is a wonderful feeling you need to make sure you teach them to be by themselves as well. Even if you work from home permanently, time away from you is a good thing.
Tips:
Leave your dog alone while you are home– this teaches your dog to enjoy being home alone. It is a time to relax and be calm alone. You can provide a soft chew or a safe toy in the space they are staying in to make it more enjoyable.
Never let your dog know if you are home or not when leaving your dog alone. Try making your leaving routine as simple and not exciting as possible. Practice opening and shutting doors while still home and go in and out a few times. Grab keys as well. Make it seem like it’s uneventful.
Leave your dog when your dog has just settled. Wait a couple minutes for your dog to settle down before leaving.
Make sure to give your dog enough mental and physical exercise. When a dog doesn’t get enough exercise, the dog will be more likely to be awake and looking for things to do in your absence.
Experiment with what makes your dog feel more comfortable. Everydog is different so make sure you are in tune with your dog’s needs.
Spy on your dog. Get a nanny cam and spy on your dog so you know what they do while you are gone.
Dogs need choices. Teach your dog to like being in a crate for many beneficial reasons, however being left alone during the day is not one of them.
Don’t pay attention to your dog when leaving or arriving. Don’t make leaving or coming to an event. Calmly leave and come home. Make it no big deal!
Try medication for severe anxiety. The point of giving the medication would be to get your dog calm enough to train your dog and then wean the dog off the medication as soon as possible.
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