Does your dog suffer from separation anxiety?  Dogs who suffer from this condition cannot bare to be parted from their owners. Many dogs become distressed and destructive when they are left alone, typically they bark, chew furniture, urinate or defecate in the house.  If your dog has this problem it is important to teach him/her not to be afraid and stop him from becoming bored.

The first step is to teach the dog to be more independent

The following tips will help to set the relationship between you on a more independent footing and prevent some of the overdependence that fuels separation problems.

• Ignore any approaches made to you. Do not speak, tell off, touch or look at your dog. When you decide to give attention, call your dog to you and make as much fuss as you like. Do this as often as possible so your dog is learning that quiet, detached behaviour brings lots of attention.
• Decide on set periods of time during when you either ignore your dog, or you play and give attention. This builds a more independent relationship than if you are constantly touching and talking to your dog as you move around the house.
• Prevent your dog from following you from room to room. If you have taken on an adult dog, start this training as soon as you take your dog home. Close the door behind you when you go into another room so the dog is isolated for a few minutes until you return. Coolly acknowledge the pet’s presence when you go back in but do not make a big fuss.
• Keep departure cues, such as looking for car keys and putting on coats, to a minimum
• With a newly acquired dog, arrange for your dog to sleep in the kitchen at night rather than in the bedroom so that the animal is not with you constantly for such a long period

Preparation:

First select a room where you are going to leave your dog. It is better to leave your pet in a familiar room in the house where he will feel more secure rather than out in the garden. Somewhere where he can cause least damage, i.e. away from electrical wires and valuables and where he is less likely to annoy the neighbours. any damage done will be minimized. Make sure to furnish it with his bed, food and water

• Teach him tolerate short, planned absences. Leave him in the room, close the door and walk away. Do not say goodbye, just walk out.  After a short time (less than five minutes), go back in without greeting. Do this several times in one session and repeat the sessions throughout the day. Gradually extend the period of time that your dog is isolated. If your pet becomes distressed, begins to bark, scratch at the door, or has chewed anything when you return, leave for a shorter period next time and progress more slowly.
• Don’t punish him if he has done something wrong while you were out.  If you do, he will learn that when you go out sometimes you come back angry so he won’t like it when you go out – he is not capable of associating your anger with something he did hours ago.
• Once he has learnt to tolerate your absence you can introduce normal leaving preambles such as picking up your keys and putting on your coat before leaving the dog in the room.

The Real Thing:

So you have gone through all the practice and you dog has managed to behave himself, now is the time to actually try leaving for real. Don't plan on leaving for very long - perhaps just 1/2 an hour to start with.

• Make sure that your dog has already been taken for a walk and played with at least ½ hour before you leave to give him time to settle back down
• Provide a small meal a short time before you leave so that he is more likely to be sleepy
• Make sure he has something to play with or a tasty chew for while you are out

Extra Tips

• Some people find that leaving your old sweater or t-shirt in the dog’s bed can help. You need to renew your scent on this garment each time you leave the house – leaving it at the bottom of the dirty laundry basket will save you from having to wear it each time.
• Some dogs are comforted by the familiar sound of a radio playing
• When you return, greeting rituals should be kept short and without great excitement.
• Punishment is not only ineffective, it is likely to make the problem worse. In addition to being anxious about being left, the animal will also be worried about what mood you will be in when you get back.
• Acquiring another dog or cat to keep the "problem” dog company is not recommended, another pet is not a substitute for you.

In extreme cases it may be necessary to ask the vet for assistance.