Seperation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety

Why do dogs have separation anxiety? Well the majority of the time it is because they feel like they are the leader of the pack and you have just left the den. The dog is unable to get to you to protect you in a place where there are a million dangers. This is why they try chewing through door casings or the walls. They are simply trying to get to you to protect you.

One of the ways this can escalate is by when you are at home there is lots of noise, TV’s on, telephone calls happening and lots of other day to day noises like someone cooking. Then you leave the house and everything goes silent. You leave the house saying your good bye and feeling guilty about leaving the dog and then return home to find the dog has chewed something up. The dog doesn’t realise this negative energy has come from them chewing. They think it’s because of where you have been. So next time you go out, the need to protect you from that terrible experience happening to you again has just increased. Saying hello and goodbye is a human thing. Don’t do it! And don’t feel guilty for leaving. Again this is a human thing. You are just confusing your dog trying to speak to them in our language. Talk to them in a dog’s language. Show them you are the pack leader and will come and go as you please.

One of the main things a pack leader does is control the food. So a big mistake allot of owners make to stop their dogs chewing up the door casing and such is to leave food for the dog to chew. Kongs are a great treat for your dog, but if they have separation anxiety this is another sign that confuses the dog about who the pack leader is. You are making food available for the dog to choose to eat as they please. The pack leader should control when the food gets ate. All you are doing is confirming in canine language, that the dog is the pack leader. Also when separation anxiety gets worse they don’t even touch the food. Would you have a sit down meal if you had just lost your child?

Another sign of this could be your dog being your shadow. They are following you around in the same way a parent follows its toddler when they crawl off into another room. Your dog is simply following you as a protection thing.
So the first step to prevent this is to follow the steps to become a pack leader. Once you’re the leader of the pack they no longer are the ones who have to follow you to protect.

See this post on how to be a pack leader
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/staffordshire-bull-terrier-training-and-behaviour-f3/be-your-pack-leader-t1526.htm

Don’t create a fuss when you are leaving and returning home. Don’t talk to the dog 5 minutes before leaving or after returning home. In that 5 minutes no eye contact, no sound and no touch. You are the pack leader and pack leaders come and go as they please.
Leave a radio or TV on if you live in a noisy household, this prevents such a change in atmosphere from when you are and aren’t at home.
If your dog has had separation anxiety for a long time, they will normally have a trigger associated from leaving via the front door. Start your new pack leader routine by leaving via the back door and returning in through the front. This will lessen the anxiety.

good advice bluestaff thanks