Something dogs can often struggle with is separation anxiety. It’s understandable – dogs are sociable animals, and don’t like being away from their favorite people for too long.
But, sometimes you’ll have to be away from your pup. Whether you’re going out to meet a friend, or you’ve got a work meeting you just can’t miss, sooner or later you’ll probably have to leave your furry friend home alone for a little while.
It can be tempting to reach for the best dog treats before you go, but there are plenty of other ways you can keep your dog content and help them with separation anxiety.
The certified dog behavior coaches at the Calm Canine Academy have explained what you can try in a new Instagram post.
They explain that dogs can become suspicious of food when left alone with it, and some pups who struggle with separation anxiety might actually be panicking too much to eat.
As the Academy says, “Separation anxiety is an actual panic disorder. Dogs who suffer from SA are likely in severe states of panic. In many cases, snacks are the last thing on their mind.”
And in many cases, food just simply isn’t effective, and doesn’t help with counter-conditioning your pup.
Your dog wants you to come back – they don’t want food, and it doesn’t make them feel better, or soften the blow of you not being there. (Here are 32 ways to keep your pet entertained when you’re not there, just in case you might need them!)
Food can mask body language, too. “Some dogs will eat even when they are over threshold,” the Academy says. “In these cases the dog eating can mask their feelings and lead to us pushing too far in training sessions, ultimately making things worse.”
When it comes to how to reduce separation anxiety in dogs, desensitization is best.
What you want to do is gradually expose your dog to time alone – without food as a distraction. Over the course of many months, gradually get your dog used to spending seconds, minutes, and then hours alone, with your dog fully relaxed.
And just how long can you leave a dog alone? If you have an adult dog, many organizations recommend not leaving them alone for longer than four to six hours on a regular basis, but it can vary from dog to dog, based on their own individual needs.
