My dog has separation anxiety what should I do?
I have a 4 and half year old Pit Bull mix who has had separation anxiety all his life. It comes in varying degrees like some months he doesn’t even care and others all he does is bark and howl and scratch up the door. Iv try ed not greeting him when I come home or making a big deal out things right before I leave. I have also try ed freezing peanut butter in a kong and giving him bones. I have even found these all natural calming pills for him but nothing seems to work. Any ideas?
Aug 31, 2010 | 6 | Dog Separation Anxiety
August 31st, 2010 at 9:10 am
desensitize him. Get ready to leave then walk out. Once outside wait a few seconds before going back in. Repeat several times gradually making the times your outside longer. This will teach him that you will come back. Be sure not to greet him enthusiastically either. You’ll have to repeat the exercise for several weeks doing it pretty often until he gets the idea and isn’t anxious.
August 31st, 2010 at 9:58 am
There is really nothing. Sorry
August 31st, 2010 at 10:13 am
Try leaving something that smells like you with him. And if you have an ipod with a stereo try playing some calming classical music (dogs relax when they hear it. A song that works well for my dog is you are the moon by the hush sound). Maybe try getting him a crate or a kennel, some dogs feel more comfortable in a small space. Good Luck!!
August 31st, 2010 at 10:25 am
you can get a crate and give him plenty of food toys to play with but i would get the biggest crate you can but use avery old blanket so it doesnt matter if the dog eat it. But put him in the crate when you are home for small amounts of time so he gets used to it
August 31st, 2010 at 10:31 am
Here’s what we did, and it worked well:
http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002/sa.htm
August 31st, 2010 at 10:58 am
De-sensitizing the dog by frequently walking out with your keys, bag, etc is good, as someone else said.
You might also want to try tie-downs in your house. Like, leash your dog to your couch while you are home. Then get up and walk around or sit on the other side of the room (although you shouldn’t leave him alone while leashed to the couch) so he gets used to the idea that he can’t be with you all the time. You can also just try leaving the dog in one room with the door shut, and you go to another room, for short and then gradually longer periods of time.
Obedience training helps, too. If he is the type of dog who comes up to you asking to be pet, ignore him for a minute and then make him do a trick before you pet him. That way he learns he can’t just boss you around for cuddles on demand and will be more used to being alone.
Crate training might help but it didn’t help my dog (she is kind of claustrophobic and panics in small spaces, even if she is not alone) which is unfortunate. I think it might be because she was in a tiny cell at the kennel.
Separation anxiety is a known issue with pit bulls, they tend to get really attached to their owners. If he was an abandoned dog or a stray in a past life that makes the issue even worse. Good luck!!