HOW TO TEACH YOUR DOG SEPARATION

Does your dog get uneasy when you leave home? It’s a common problem. Many dogs don’t like to be alone, and others fear that we won’t come back for them. But if your dog hasn’t been in a pen before or isn’t used to it, your pet will need some help understanding how to relax when you’re not around.

Treats for Relaxing 

With positive reinforcement training, we want to tell our dogs what behavior they should be doing rather than focusing on the negatives.

To begin with, you’ll want to make sure that your dog knows that relaxing around the house is good and that it should be calm around treats. The best way to do this is to have treats stored in different rooms of the house out of its reach. Keep the treats in jars in various places. You can also keep treats on your person in a pouch.

When your dog is calm, lying on the floor, and not paying attention to the treats, this is an excellent time to give it a treat. Approach your dog slowly and calmly and drop the tidbit in between its paws.

Bed Time

Teach your dog to go to bed. You can do this at different times in the day based on when you expect to be separate from your dog. Give your dog a treat for lying down in the crate or pen.

Once your dog is settled in the pen, you can extend how long your dog can stay in there. Little by little, your dog will grow used to being in the kennel. If you have a large enough crate, you can sit with your dog in the pen. If your kennel is too small for you to join your pet, you can sit near the cage.  Doing this can be helpful if your dog is anxious to get out. Being able to see you helps your dog relax.

Keep your voice low, and try not to show excitement. When we’re excited, our dogs are too. Move your hand slowly when you give the treat, and your pet should also stay calm. You can even sit outside the pen and drop treats inside when your pet is relaxed.

Get Moving

Now your dog is sitting in the pen; you can teach your dog that when it hears movement outside the kennel, it doesn’t have to be worried about it. Start by walking and move about yourself, taking a few steps away from your dog.

If your dog tries to follow you outside the crate or pen, go back and stand by the kennel. Some dogs will go back inside the crate and be willing to start training again. Other dogs will need to be told to go back inside the pen. Get your dog to lie down and then walk about again. This time reduce the number of steps and repeat the procedures above.

Alone Time

You can start small and leave your dog in the kennel while you go to another room. Once your dog is calm enough, you can extend the distance and leave home for a few minutes at a time.

It’s good to have a routine you do every time you leave your dog alone. Putting it in its bed, giving a treat, and saying goodbye will reassure your dog.