I've posted a few questions in regards to my beagles separation anxiety, but I've never really asked about possible training tips for curing him of this problem. I do not have access to dog training services because I live in a pretty remote area and there are no resources within a reasonable driving distance (esp. with gas being around 4.30 a gallon). But he still goes absolutely nuts when he's left alone. I'm back home from school now so he is rarely left at the house alone because there is usually someone here. But the few times he is left alone, he goes crazy. He has a crate that I usually put him in when we are gone, although he's pretty well house broken and doesn't seem to chew on things he knows he's not allowed to. But in any regard, is there anything I can do to help him with his separation anxiety? I'm concerned about his panicing, and I'm also concerned about disturbing others by his loud, baying howls when he's alone. I was considering purchasing a citronalla (or however you spell it) to help with the barking, but it likely would not hlep with his anxiety itself. I'm worried about him, as well as not disturbing others.
Any suggestions would be greatly apprecaited.
Dog Training - Teach Your Dog the Sit Command at Once
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Hello, I'll try to give you some tips to help you. I'm sorry if I don't have many ideas.
Before you leave, take your dog on a 45 minute walk, play fetch for about half an hour, go on a jog. Anything that is exercise will work. The goal is to tire your dog out so when you leave your dog will be tired, so he will sleep or relax while you are gone.
Keep your dog busy, KONGS work great. I fill my dog's KONG up with his dry food, apple chunks, diced chicken, or peanut butter. The KONG will keep him busy, so he won't be focusing on you being gone, but trying to get the food.
Leave the T.V, or radio on for noise. It might help him calm down if he hears other people talking. On iTunes I bought some music from The Dog Whisperer Band, and my puppy falls asleep to it.
Try not to make a big deal of leaving. By that I mean don't say, "Aww, I won't be gone too long!" in a baby voice and smother him with kisses. That will make him even more anxious.
Dog Clicker Training Can Make Dog Training Easy
- Try this method, written by a trainer and behaviourist:
- I agree with not making a big deal out of coming and going. You also have to desensitize your dog to your leaving.
Leaving for 1 second, then come right back. Keep doing this until you dog gets used to. Then leave for 2 seconds, come right back. And so on and so forth.
This is just a condensed example. I suggest a book titled "I'll be Home Soon" by Patricia McConnell. http://amzn.to/hWYfC6
It has way more details on how to do this. It's a small book that can be read in one sitting.
Additionally, many dogs with SA will panic in a crate. If you decide to continue using a crate, You also have to acclimate a dog to a crate. A good book on this is "Puppy Primer" http://amzn.to/fY057I
Also see Turid Rugaas on Separation Anxiety: http://www.canis.no/rugaas/oneqanda.php?…
If you stop using the crate, make sure the house is thoroughly puppy proofed - nothing available for the dog to get into.
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