Canine Separation Anxiety: Taking it Day by Day and a Step at a Time
By Maureen Derseweh, CTC, CSAT, SA Pro
“My dog, Picasso, cannot stand to be left alone. He howls, whines, pants, chews the carpet, scratches the door. I have tried everything I can think of, food, toys, crates, calming music, nothing seems to help him be okay while I am gone. I hate leaving him like that, so I either don’t go out with my friends and family, or I have to leave him alone. He seems to be suffering, but I don’t know why. What did I do wrong? What can I do that really works? Picasso’s my best buddy and I love him, but my life is just not working.” Loving pet guardian
No one can express the frustrations, helplessness, and hopelessness of having a dog with separation anxiety better than those who care for such a dog. If you are in this situation, no one needs to tell you what a difficult situation you are in. You know what family events you have missed, time no longer spent out with friends, finding ways to cope day to day with a situation that is never getting any better. Ignoring it or living with it does not offer the best possible life for your dog or you.
Some challenges our dogs present to us are larger than others. There is no doubt that if your dog demonstrates separation related behaviors, the challenge is large. More important than knowing this is knowing that you are not to blame for your dog’s behaviors and real, effective training is available to help you and your dog. Whether you call your dog your best friend, pal, or angel on earth, there comes a time when solving this problem for you and your best friend becomes urgent.
Training a dog to be comfortable when alone is not like training a sit or stay. The type of trainer needed to guide you and your dog on this journey must be one who is educated in a different type of behavior modification. While the trainer needs to be highly skilled, you do not. The trainer will be by your side, step-by-step, through the ups and downs that come with replacing your dog’s big scary feelings with “comfortable.” It can be done. Let your trainer support and guide you every day as you go through this experience. Your trainer will make sure your dog is comfortable during the training and will address your questions and concerns immediately.
To say you owe it to yourself and your furry pal to resolve separation anxiety behaviors is true, but it is more than that. Being a pet guardian suggests that you advocate for your pet, in the joyous and difficult times. It is never too soon or too late to start addressing your dog’s separation related behaviors.Write the next chapter in the life you and your dog share and contact a certified separation anxiety trainer.
Author: Maureen Derseweh, owner of The Ground Hound Canine Coaching, specializes in remote separation anxiety training for dogs. A graduate of Jean Donaldson’s The Academy for Dog Trainers, Malena DeMartini’s Separation Anxiety Certification Program, and Julie Naismith’s SA Pro Trainer Trainer Certification Program. www.thegroundedhound.com
