Pet Positive Blogcast
Written by Liz Fisher, CSAT, CPDT-KA
Desensitizing Your Separation Anxiety Dog to Your Keys - Myth Busting
As a certified separation anxiety trainer, the way I help dogs feel better about their people leaving is by very gently, over time – and based on the individual dog’s behavior and body language – help them feel safe about being alone at all and then helping them feel better about the things that predict that (now safe) alone time. I use extremely careful systematic desensitization to the entire picture of humans leaving a dog alone which includes things like keys, locking the door, putting on shoes, and the actual duration of the alone time.
Creative ways to “suspend absences” during separation anxiety training for dogs
In order to start a separation anxiety protocol for your dog(s) you first need to stop exposing them to the thing that is making them so upset - being alone. This looks different for every dog but these are my go-to recommendations.
Should my older dog be assessed for separation anxiety?
Most often for older dogs who have separation issues pop up, we see barking, howling, whining, soiling the house, and restlessness or inability to settle. These are the same signs of separation anxiety or separation issues as in younger dogs… but that may not be the whole story.
How to begin separation anxiety training
Starting to help a dog feel better with alone time begins with 3 major parts.
Never leaving the dog alone for longer than they can handle
Learning dog body language and YOUR dog’s body language
Seeking professional help when you need it