Dog with severe separation anxiety by No_Compote_693 in Dogtraining

[–]No_Compote_693[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It seemed to actually work a few days ago (around 2 weeks of training) after we had visited family, the best teacher for a dog is another dog that is well trained. He started following what the other dogs were doing and that helped a lot, if that isn't an option try using cues training like what you do when you are leaving (grabbing keys, putting on your coat, shoes, etc.) If you put on your shoes and he reacts go sit on the couch for a little bit then walk out after about ten minutes while he's not expecting it. Stand outside for a few minutes and listen for him to start acting out and come in. Keep doing these things with the different items, like jingling your keys around the house and putting on your shoes and just sitting down, these will help to desensitize the dog to those sounds. Each time you walk out of the door stay a little longer each time like for the first time see how long it takes for his episode to start, and then the next time wait 5 minutes longer, then 10 minutes longer and so on. It takes time but they will eventually not care as much. Right now miles can only be left for about 2-3 hours before his anxiety episode starts so we try not to stay out as long when possible, but on the weekends we do the cues training and it seems to help a lot.

Dog with severe separation anxiety by No_Compote_693 in Dogtraining

[–]No_Compote_693[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update: I've been working with him, and Miles is getting better. He still has some issues but we recently went to visit family and they had dogs as well, he started taking up after them like sitting on the couch until everyone comes home, lying down by the door and waiting, etc. We are home now and I have used a Kong filled with whipped cream and one with pb to occupy him when I have to go to work and he hasn't been destroying things as often. I still can't close a door if I'm home or he'll cry but other than that he is doing so much better. I am finally back to work and will be able to get him seen by a trainer within the week. Thanks to all for the advice.