Separation Anxiety - mild case - positive reinforcement dog training

http://www.pamsdogacademy.com

This is an old video that I was not sure if I would ever upload. After filming this there are a few things I would add, but I now have a new computer and I am not sure how to transfer the file to imovie or if it is even possible. So, I am uploading it anyway and adding a bunch of information to this description.

Bandit is free of separation anxiety now after many months of changing our routine, taking baby steps, and having a few set backs. There was a point in the training that I did not mention when I would leave the house and come right back, then go out the door down the porch, then out the door down the porch and open the car door, and always right back to reward him for being quiet and calm. Eventually I got to where I could drive up the road come right home and reward. For Bandit I believe it was that he just wanted our fun and play time to continue on and on. He never showed any other symptoms other than the out of control barking. He never chewed things up, nor did he ever have potty accidents inside. So, I was lucky that all I really had to do was work on his being calm and not barking as I left the house. I did have to show him that I was coming home. I also changed my daily routine with him. I used to come home in the middle of the day to play with him and this seemed to just get him more worked up and want to play more. So, I stopped coming home and playing and would either not come home at all or do calm quiet things with him when I did come home.

Anyway, this work in addition to Kongs, chew bones, toys, and hiding food helped him as it gave him a job to do while I was out of the house.

I also know that Bandit would bark out the front window when he could visually see someone or something, so I put up some bulletin board paper and blocked his view. This also helped him! However, when the paper came down his behavior was fine at the front window as long as I was home and could keep a close eye on him. When I was not home, I would give him his Kong and other items in the back of the house where our kitchen, family room, and a bathroom is. We are lucky to have a pocket door and all I do is close it when I leave so that he can't have access to that front window.

I am still not 100% sure that he was anxious that I was leaving or if it was something outside that he was barking at. All I know is that in the beginning he did tend to bark as I would leave. So, I just worked on that and managed the rest.

Lastly, I do feel that he is much more calm and when I come home he is sleeping.

If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a message.

If you think your dog has separation anxiety, contact a professional behaviorist or someone that specializes in behavior modification. Make sure that the training does not involve any physical punishment as this will make the problem worse!

Have a wonderful day!

Pam, Isabelle, & Bandit

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• clicker
• dog
• training
• positive
• reinforcement
• separation
• anxiety
• barking
• over
• arousal
• stress
• behavior
• modification
• management
• patience
• love
• and
• understanding

[Wooushh]

Great video however upon leaving the house you should pay no attention the the dog. Same thing once you get home.

[pamelamarxsen]

@Wooushh It really depends on the dog. I personally have found with the MANY dogs that I have trained that each dog is different. I would say that yes in a way you are right. However, I do not think you should "pay no attention to the dog". If the dog is calm, I would say yes give attention and calm petting or even speak in a calm voice. If the dog is crazy jumping and excited, then go about your business until he calms down and pay attention at that moment. So, it depends on the dog!

[Nuutti2010]

Thank you Pamela for this video! Just yesterday I left my puppy alone for little less than three hours and sadly he did just the things Bandit does in this video: barking and howling after he had finished his kong. I'm going to start these exercises with him today as I am worried that things might get worse. I sure am glad I video taped him to know what he is up to while I'm gone. Thanks for the idea of video surveillance! :)

[pamelamarxsen]

@Nuutti2010 I really hope that these small changes will help your pup! It is so worth it to start now when you notice a small mild case of separation anxiety than to wait until it is a major thing. Also, you can get a CD called Through a Dogs Ear. It is a calming CD that has all classical music on it. I will play it when I leave for work or when I think there might be noises outside that could set him off, and it works. We have not had any sep anx episodes in over 10 months. :) Good LUCK!

[pamelamarxsen]

@Nuutti2010 I really hope that these small changes will help your pup! It is so worth it to start now when you notice a small mild case of separation anxiety than to wait until it is a major thing. Also, you can get a CD called Through a Dogs Ear. It is a calming CD that has all classical music on it. I will play it when I leave for work or when I think there might be noises outside that could set him off, and it works. Good LUCK!

[pamelamarxsen]

@Nuutti2010 Keep me posted and let me know if you have any questions! Pam

[pamelamarxsen]

@cleveneur well, I think that if someone put an E-Collar on me, then I would not longer bark either. I personally feel that if behaviors CAN be trained and CURED WITHOUT FORCE, PAIN, PUNISHMENT, Intimidation, etc. then WHY NOT use the POSITIVE NO PAIN METHOD. Just my OPINION! I have not found a behavior that can't be cured or trained with using only POSITIVE training. Like I said, it is my opinion. I would never inflict pain on a dog that I LOVE!

[MsZoraZ]

My dog doesn't display separation anxiety symptoms when I leave the house and while I am gone, but she goes absolutely NUTS when I come home, barking and howling and spinning in circles.

[josski32]

Pamela: whats a buster cube and treat ball and where do you get them? (I know what a kong is...)

[Nuutti2010]

@pamelamarxsen Hi Pam! I just wanted to let you know that Arvi is doing very well with being home alone now thanks to your advice :) I went back to shorter periods of time and slowly increased the length again and gave him even more things to chew etc.

[MydogIucky]

This is soo cute! Can you check out mine? It's my puppy howling when I leave the car! Check it out!