HELP adopted a great dog, problem with separation anxiety!

So we adopted a rescue dog, Ozzie, yesterday. He's WONDERFUL. Sweet, gentle, smart. The ONLY issue is his separation anxiety. We totally understand he has been through a ton, and are more than willing to work with him, just looking for any tips others have found useful. We live in an apartment building so would like to minimize the noise as much as possible.

We haven't left him for long yet, 5 minutes outside in the hall to see how he does, he whined and scratched at the doggy gate and yelped a bit the whole time. We are going to start crating him to minimize the space where he can scratch/hurt himself. We will practice him being in the crate with us home so he gets used to it, and will put his blanket and a t-shirt of ours in with him.

He doesn't like toys so we can't leave him one to occupy him. We will have a dog walker coming midday, which is good but also bad in that he will get whiney twice during the day (when we leave and when the walker leaves).

Any tips anyone has found helpful in reducing separation anxiety?

Thanks!

ETA: thought it was important to add he isn't a puppy - he's probably about 2 years old. We totally get that all the changes etc. are affecting this most likely and I definitely am not looking for a 'quick fix', just anything anyone else has found particularly effective/helpful. Thanks!

Message edited 10/16/2011 9:41:08 PM.

Re: HELP adopted a great dog, problem with separation anxiety!

I know it's natural to feel bad for them when they have issues, but one of the best things you can do for a dog that has anxiety is be calm & in charge. You're leaving the house? No biggie. You know you'll be back and eventually he will learn that too.

I had this issue with our 2nd dog and I'm glad to say she's "cured". She doesn't like being left alone but it's a far cry from anxiety. I googled it and pretty much everyone has the same tips. Here are some that worked for us (although I encourage you to research it yourself):

1. Don't make a big deal about exits and entrances, don't comfort him at all. This feeds their anxiety and teaches them that you like it when they get upset. You have to ignore him for a few minutes leading up to the exit and when you come back. Don't feel bad, it's necessary.

2. Have a safe phrase for when you leave. It's the last thing he hears and he will learn that it makes it ok. Ours is "be right back"

3. If you crate, try to leave a safe, irresistible toy inside. A Kong with frozen peanut butter inside maybe. There's no guarantee that it will work, dogs will totally ignore toys and food in times of stress.

4. Leave for five minutes, come back. An hour later, leave for 10 minutes, come back. Gradually work this into your everyday routine until he gets used to the thought that you will always come back. Do you have a video camera? We filmed our dogs to see what progress they were making, and we could see marked improvements in as little as one week of consistent training.


While I am pro-crate, I learned the hard way that Ginger actually had less anxiety when she was out of it. She broke out of the crate one night while we were gone. I started filming again, with her loose in the living room, and although she paced and whined a little, it was nothing like the show she put on when she was in the crate.

You have to try the methods and see what works. Best thing though is to be a strong, calm leader and it will allow your dog to follow you and feel secure.

Message edited 10/17/2011 11:37:02 AM.

Re: HELP adopted a great dog, problem with separation anxiety!

Thank you so much! We definitely did a bunch of research (and still are), I guess I'm also just looking for first-hand accounts, so yours is very helpful!

We're not married to the idea of crating, we just want to start with it until we have a better feel for how he is going to act when alone for extended periods of time. The other tips are great, thank you so much! We started a bit last night, we left for a few minutes a couple times throughout the night, and ignored before we left and when we returned.

Thanks for your tips!

Re: HELP adopted a great dog, problem with separation anxiety!

I think crating straight out of the gate is a good idea. It's so much more than an enclosure, and can be very convenient later. It sounds like you're well on your way and if I can help any more, let me know.

Re: HELP adopted a great dog, problem with separation anxiety!

Here is the separation anxiety protocol I used with my dog...It is LONG but it really works- I did not use a marrow bone for most of the training I used a Kong filled with high value treats instead:

Goal of training:

To develop a routine and a signal that tells your dog, you will not be available to him.
The marrow bone will be the signal that you are leaving.
Marrow bones can be purchased from any meat department. They are also called soup bones. Ask for bones cut a minimum of 4 inches long. They are safest when raw. Cooked bones can splinter.

Routines are very important to a dog that is insecure.

You may want to consult your veterinarian about prescription medications, which aid in implementing this or any behavioral program.
Medication will not work alone; it must be used in conjunction with a training program.
Medication also does not sedate the dog it just eases the anxiety he is feeling.
An excellent veterinarian behaviorist is Dr. Lyndell. Her number if you choose to work with her is 845-473-7406

Practice these exercises several times a day, a minimum of least 3 times per day.

When returning after any absence, ignore the dog, be very casual. Let your dog outside to relieve himself.

Stage One
Give a marrow bone to your dog.
Now, note the time and for the next twenty minutes all people in the home need to totally ignore the dog.
During this time
Do not: make eye contact
Touch the dog
Allow him to lean on you
Talk to him
Go about your business but do not be available to him.
When ending the session pick up the marrow bone. Your dog will only get the marrow bone, when you are unavailable to him. NEVER NEVER at any other time.

Practice this several times a day.

When can you advance to the next stage?
When the dog is relaxed, and not worrying about where you are. After a few days of this behavior, you can advance to the next stage.

Stage Two
Give a marrow bone to your dog.
Note the time and for the next twenty minutes all people in the house will not be available to your dog.
AND
Your dog will be in a crate or behind a baby gate that prevents him from following you.
Stay close a few feet away on the other side of the gate to start.
Do not: leave his sight
Touch him
Talk to him
Go about your business but do not be available to him.
When ending the session pick up the marrow bone. Your dog will only get the marrow bone, when you are unavailable to him. NEVER NEVER at any other time.

Practice this several times a day.

Stage Three
Give a marrow bone to your dog.
Note the time and for the next twenty minutes all people in the house will not be available to your dog.
AND
Your dog will be in a crate or behind a baby gate that prevents him from following you.
Leave his sight briefly and return several times.
Do not:
Make eye contact
Talk to him.
Go about your business but do not be available to him.
When ending the session pick up the marrow bone. Your dog will only get the marrow bone, when you are unavailable to him. NEVER NEVER at any other time.

Stage Four
Give a marrow bone to your dog.
Note the time and for the next 5 minutes all people in the house will not be available to your dog. Build up to 20 minute sessions.
AND
Leave his sight but stay in the house.
Do not: Talk to him
Go about your business but do not be available to him.
When ending the session pick up the marrow bone. Your dog will only get the marrow bone, when you are unavailable to him. NEVER NEVER at any other time.

Stage Five
Give a marrow bone to your dog.

AND
Leave his sight and now leave the house. Start with 5 minutes and build this time.
When ending the session pick up the marrow bone. Your dog will only get the marrow bone, when you are unavailable to him. NEVER NEVER at any other time.
Build up to one hour.

This will be your leaving routine any time you need to leave your dog alone.

Remember when leaving ignore your dog for 15 minutes prior to actually walking out the door. Also upon return, ignore your dog for 15 minutes after arriving home.

Re: HELP adopted a great dog, problem with separation anxiety!

Thanks for the responses! So tonight we brought home a crate, and DH found something called a thunder shirt (its a t-shirt that wraps around the dog loosely and is supposed to help reduce anxiety). We tried him in the crate for about 10 min with the shirt on, he was silent and lay down no issue. About 45 minutes later we tried him in the crate with no shirt. He whined a bit, yelped a few times, but within 15-20 minutes was quiet and lying down. So far so good! Both times one or both of us were in the apartment, so in an hour or so we are going to try him in the crate, with the shirt, and after a few minutes we'll step outside.

I had a feeling a crate would be useful for our little guy - he needs the consistency and comfort of his own place. We will also have him sleep in the crate in our room to reinforce it as a safe space. But so far, even just in one evening he's done pretty well! Hopefully the progress continues!

Re: HELP adopted a great dog, problem with separation anxiety!

I am so glad I finally know someone on LIF that's used the Thundershirt! I've been posting about it for a while but haven't heard anything about it. I know someone else who uses it for her dog that has anxiety in the car, and it worked wonderfully.

There really is something to the "swaddling" idea for them, and certain dogs get a lot out of the security of a crate. Glad to hear you're making good progress already!

Re: HELP adopted a great dog, problem with separation anxiety!

Re: HELP adopted a great dog, problem with separation anxiety!

My dog had a lot of separation anxiety for a while. (Still when my parents watch him.) He did much better once we started crating him. We kept him in an ex pen for a while which is much bigger than the crate. Once we starting crating him I guess he felt more secure and things got much better. Also, like many others mentioned, routine is important and consistency. Riker only gets the Kong toy with special treats when we leave. We also don't make a big deal about leaving or coming.

Re: HELP adopted a great dog, problem with separation anxiety!

Our vet recommended the thundershirt for our Pom since he gets such anxiety in the car and durind thunderstorms etc. Good to know real people using them having good experiences! I'm going to have to order one.

Re: HELP adopted a great dog, problem with separation anxiety!