Dog training: Training your dog to conquer dog separation anxiety or absent owner misbehavior

Don’t you just love knowing that your dog misses you when you are not around him? But then, you would hate to see him feeling sad and down, wouldn’t you?

When left alone or being separated, dogs are bark cry, dig holes, and possibly destroy your garden..

Some dogs have this dog owner-missing syndrome sometimes better known as separation anxiety. Did I really say dog separation anxiety syndrome?

Maybe it is or maybe it’s not.

Maybe your dog can’t wait to see you gone so that he can have some fun like flirting with his neighbor dog. Who knows! Maybe he’s saying

to himself “Yes! Yes! Garbage time after he’s gone.” Just kidding! This dog separation anxiety can be overcome with dog training. It requires numerous repetitions just like most other dog training. Train your dog by leaving the house for a few minutes (3). The key here is the timing.

Make sure he has plenty of toys to keep him busy. Give him a dog treat. Perhaps bring him home a little companion, preferably another dog, not a cat! Dogs and cats just don’t often play well together. Leaving for just a short time lets your dog know that you will soon return so that he doesn't go into this owner separation attack.

Repeat this dog training method a number of times a day on your day off. Once your dog gets used to your leaving for short periods, slowly but steadily increase the duration of your time away. Soon his owner separation anxiety will be forgotten.

Don’t feel guilty when you have to go and leave him behind. Just go. He can sense your guilty feelings. You don’t want to spoil him.

Another dog training method that one of our readers suggests is to set aside a time to give your dog undivided attention. Play and exercise with him. It works best when you do this fun dog activity before you leave. Doing so allows him to be happy and tired, and he will likely go to sleep while you’re gone.

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