“Please help, I’m desperate. My life is ruined because I can’t leave her.”
The owner was in tears. She was a prisoner in her own home, unable to leave her dog because the dog became so upset and was in such a dreadful state when the owner returned, that she felt she couldn’t ever go out or have any sort of social life.
Separation anxiety is a horrid thing for any dog to experience. It’s a doggy panic attack. They can’t “snap out of it” and it doesn’t get better if ignored – usually it gets worse.
These poor dogs whine, howl and bark, can’t settle and pace around, panting, drooling and may cause significant damage to your fixtures and fittings in their desperation to get out to follow you. And when you do finally return, their effusive and prolonged greetings can be wearing.
Dogs with separation anxiety are usually very clingy and are often hyper-attached to one person in the family. They’ll follow that person around anywhere and everywhere, even to the loo. When they curl up and sleep its usually by the side of, on the feet of, or on top of, the owner.
It seems like an intractable problem.
But I enjoy working with these dogs and owners, because the problem can be solved in 3 out of 4 cases and significantly improved in the other.
I’m worried that I’ll see many more separation anxiety cases as we come out of lockdown. Triggers for the problem are usually changes in circumstance – owners being at home after maternity leave or extended holidays, or puppies whose owners are at home with them for several weeks at first, or rescue dogs or dogs who have changed homes once or twice.
As in all things, prevention is far easier than cure. As we ease out of lockdown it’s worth starting now to prepare your dog for being left alone once you go back to work or school.
Our Serene Separation masterclass will help you do just that. Through live sessions, and the practical exercises and training you’ll be given to do, you’ll work through your personal workbook to end up with a dog who is comfortable and relaxed when left alone. It’ll also help you if your dog already shows some separation anxiety – we’ll cover that too.
Keep an eye on the website for dates.
Keep training and keep safe,
Carol