Logan's Papa
Forums Novice
Our sheltie, Logan, gets so upset when anyone leaves, it's driving us nuts. How do you all deal with this behavior?
Help! Separation anxiety is giving us anxiety
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Shelby's mom
Forums Enthusiast
Shelby does not have separation anxiety but she does get upset if one of us leaves and she has to stay. She will run at the door trying to block you from leaving and bark at you. But as soon as you get the door closed she might bark once more and then if is over. It is like she is yelling at you for not letting her go along.
To prevent this we now give her a treat and then leave. If we do this we get no barking,charging etc. however when we are in and out of the house such as cutting the grass we can't possibly give her a treat each time so we just walk out the door and ignor the behavior.
To prevent this we now give her a treat and then leave. If we do this we get no barking,charging etc. however when we are in and out of the house such as cutting the grass we can't possibly give her a treat each time so we just walk out the door and ignor the behavior.
Caro
Moderator
There are lots and lots of threads dealing with separation issues, do a search on separation anxiety in the behaviour forums.
Honestly, without more information on exactly what your dog is doing when you leave it is hard to make a lot of recommendations. Is it true anxiety (urinating, chewing furniture, ongoing barking) or separation stress, which is experienced by many dogs.
Basically, you need to teach your dog that staying at home by him/her self is not that bad - and usually you do that with food. Hide treats around the house, leave a stuffed kong or a treat dispenser. Something so your dog will be occupied while you are gone. If it's separation stress (as opposed to true anxiety), they only need to be kept occupied for the first 10min of you leaving. If it is separation anxiety it needs more work.
I also recommend a couple of books. Patricia McConnell's I'll be home soon - it's a short 'booklet' which is the mainstay for behaviourists. Nicole Wilde Don't leave me. Both of which will explain how to counter condition and desensitise.
Honestly, without more information on exactly what your dog is doing when you leave it is hard to make a lot of recommendations. Is it true anxiety (urinating, chewing furniture, ongoing barking) or separation stress, which is experienced by many dogs.
Basically, you need to teach your dog that staying at home by him/her self is not that bad - and usually you do that with food. Hide treats around the house, leave a stuffed kong or a treat dispenser. Something so your dog will be occupied while you are gone. If it's separation stress (as opposed to true anxiety), they only need to be kept occupied for the first 10min of you leaving. If it is separation anxiety it needs more work.
I also recommend a couple of books. Patricia McConnell's I'll be home soon - it's a short 'booklet' which is the mainstay for behaviourists. Nicole Wilde Don't leave me. Both of which will explain how to counter condition and desensitise.