Learn the Do's and Don'ts of
Treating Puppy Separation Anxiety

Does your new Coton de Tulear have puppy separation anxiety? Do you know the best way to treat separation anxeity in dogs? Not sure whether to use dog behavior modification training, crate training, medication, or even doggy yoga? This is a common, yet preventable and treatable problem.

Does this sound familiar? You’re heading out the door and your dog isn’t having any of it. He cries, he whines, he barks, he gives you that look that melts your heart into a thousand pieces.

Then when you come home you find he’s got laryngitis from barking all day, and he’s destroyed your expensive throw pillows and 2 pairs of shoes.

Ruh Roh! Now What?

What are the symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs? If your dog is exhibiting signs of severe pet anxiety, the first thing you should do is see your veterinarian to ensure that there are no physical reasons for your dog’s behavior and symptoms.

Is your dog exhibiting any of these classic signs of puppy separation anxiety?

Whining
Pacing
Digging
Excessive drooling
Barking or howling
Hyperactivity
Scratching
Chewing
Potty training issues
Destructiveness

If so, what do you do? What is the best way of treating puppy separation anxiety? Unfortunately, there isn’t one method that works best for all dogs. Some breeds, like the Coton de Tulear, are more prone to this problem than others and may need more than just some basic training.

But there are several methods that have been proven to be successful in treating or preventing puppy separation anxiety:

Don't leave me!

Do’s:

Leave him alone for short little breaks at first so he gets used to it little by little. You can start leaving the house numerous times a day for as little as 20 seconds at a time. The sooner you start doing this, the better. Vary the times of day and switch doors if you can; go out the front door, the back door, or through the garage. Gradually increase the amount of time you leave him alone. He will start to understand that when you leave, you ALWAYS come back.
When you are home with him, make it quality time. Play with him, take him for long walks, and just let him hang out with you and your family.
Provide interesting toys and treats for him to play with so he won’t get bored while you’re gone.
Give your dog lots of exercise before you leave. It's been proven that dogs who get lots of activity are more calm and content.
If exercise isn't an option before you go out, try mental exercise like obedience training. A 10 minute training session can have the same effect.
Some dogs calm down by listening to classical music. Experiment with different kinds of music to see if your dog responds positively. Turn on the radio, YouTube, or use an App like Relax My Dog.
If your dog is crate trained, you may want to leave him in the crate where he will feel safe and calm. You can also leave him in a small room in the house with a baby gate.
Try herbal remedies like Rescue Remedy that calm and sooth your dog's anxieties.
Train your dog properly to ensure that they can handle all kinds of experiences, including being left alone.
Anxiety wraps have been helpful when used in conjunction with other behavior modification techniques. There are several kinds on the market and people have mixed results with them. To get the best results, you should put on the wrap or cape when your dog is calm; not when he's having a full blown anxiety attack. Also, this is not an overnight miracle - sometimes it takes weeks to see changes in behavior. The best results come from using anxiety wraps in addition to other behavior modification techniques.

Don’ts:

Don’t isolate your dog by keeping him in a room locked away from the rest of the family. If you keep him in a crate, keep the crate in the room with you.
Never use punishment for puppy separation anxiety symptoms; it will only exacerbate the problem.
When you leave the house, don’t make a huge deal of it by giving him lots of extra hugs and attention. Just be relaxed and casual. Your dog picks up on your anxiety, so if you are cool an calm, your puppy will likely be calm as well. Play it cool when you return to the house as well. I know you love when he misses you and jumps all over you, but it's better to ignore him when you first walk in the door. After a few minutes when he's calm, you can give him all the affection you want.
Don’t leave your dog alone for very long periods of time. Dogs like the Coton de Tulear are not meant to be alone for long periods of time. If you work full time, there are all kinds of options available to ensure your dog thrives while you're away, such as pet sitters, doggy daycare, bringing your dog to work with you, or having friends or neighbors care for him while you're gone.

Help for Severe Puppy Separation Anxiety

Puppy separation anxiety can usually be overcome by incorporating one or more of the suggestions above, but what if you're dealing with severe canine separation anxiety? What if your dog is harming himself or destroying your home and nothing you've tried is working?

Don't give up!

The difference between success and failure is often persistence and consistent practices. Sometimes you may try something for a week without seeing any results and then just stop. Often, with severe cases of dog anxiety, it can take weeks or even months to turn this behavior around, so don't give up too soon.

You may also have to try a combination of behavior modifications and anti-anxiety medication. Your vet can prescribe medications to help alleviate the anxiety. As with everything else, this is not an overnight solution. It may take weeks to see results and you may have to experiment to find the best drug and dosage.

A behaviorist or trainer specializing in behaviors like puppy separation anxiety can help.

Desensitization techniques can help turn around unwanted behaviors. One of the most common technique is to desensitize your dog to your departures from the house. You dog recognizes your leaving behaviors - putting on your shoes, putting on your coat, and grabbing your keys or purse. Try doing these things during the day without leaving the house.

Make his environment as inviting as possible while you're gone. Leave treat-filled dog toys like the Kong or Pupsicle, put soothing music on the radio, put a shirt of yours in his room for comfort, keep a light on, and make sure his area is safe.

Teach your dog independence; you don't want to encourage your dog to be glued to your hip. This doesn’t happen overnight - it requires patience and consistence.

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