Separation Anxiety Training Guide
Tools: E-Collar and Kennel (optional)
Goal: A dog who can maintain good behavior and relax when left alone.
Method: Practice maintaining composure during alone time by gradually increasing the duration while using tailored eCollar feedback for flare-ups of inappropriate behavior (barking, scratching, howling, whining). We like to set up a “Game” where we create a pretend scenario of leaving for varied amounts of time.
Setup the "Game"
- Have the E-Collar on your dog.
- Tip 1: Your dog should have been introduced to the E-Collar before practicing this scenario.
- Tip 2: Ensure both the remote and receiver are turned on and each have a full battery charge.
- Select a location or space in the house where the misbehavior is most likely to occur.
- Start a video feed via Facetime, or smart camera, with your selected location in the frame.
- You may leave a high value chew toy, like a Kong with peanut butter, although most dogs with separation anxiety are likely to ignore it until they are more confident.
- If using a crate (this would have been determined with your trainer), invite or command your dog to go into the crate. Then, close the door and reward the dog for going inside.
- If you aren’t using a crate, leave the dog out. If your trainer advised using the “place” command or having the dog “stay” on the couch, issue the command and proceed to The Game.
How to Play the "Game"
Now that your video feed is set up, pretend to leave. Depending on your dog’s current ability, this could mean walking out the front door or merely going into another room out of sight.
Correct flare-ups as they happen. Flare-ups could be barking, howling, door pushing or destructive behavior. As you practice, flare-ups will typically lighten in intensity. You will then adjust your correction level and hold time to the new flare up baseline average. If the most dramatic part of the flare-up was barking, but is now whining, you’ll start correcting for whining (and barking if it happens).
If your dog is already howling or barking, their vocalization will often go up in pitch when they receive a correction. This is normal. It can be challenging and confusing for you as the owner, but rest assured, this is completely normal.
On the other hand, if the dog wasn’t vocalizing, but was perhaps batting at the crate door in an attempt to open it, we tailor the correction level so that it doesn’t produce a vocalization. After providing stimulation feedback that appears to have been noticed and valued, allow a couple seconds for your dog to calm down. If they are still vocalizing after the correction, then try increasing the level of the correction.
Up the Challenge of the "Game"
You can “up the ante” two ways. One is to increase the duration of time you are gone. The second is to add the sounds of getting ready to go.
Increasing the duration of time you are gone while your dog maintains composure is one one to up the challenge of “The Game.”
Here’s what that could look like:
Make sure your video feed is set up and your E-Collar is on your dog.
Round 1
- Put your dog in their crate and reward.
- Step into the other room for 10 seconds.
- Come back and let your dog out.
- Reward your dog.
Round 2
- Put your dog in their crate and reward.
- Step into the other room for 30 seconds.
- Come back and let your dog out.
- Reward your dog.
Round 3
Step into the other room for 1 minute. Continue to incrementally increase the time you step into the other room: 3 minutes, 5 minutes,10 minutes, 15 minutes — no more than15 minutes. For some dogs, you may be able to go in 5 minute increments from the start; for others, take it slow. You know your dog best, modify based on what you observe in real time.
The second way we can increase the challenge of “The Game” is by introducing the sounds and routines of getting ready to leave. Dogs can pick up on the routine sounds and actions that come before you leave like the jingling of your keys, you putting on shoes and grabbing your coat, locking the door, or the garage door opening and closing.
Here’s an example of what this could look like:
Make sure you have your video feed set up and your E-Collar on your dog.
Round 1
Put your dog in their crate and reward.
Grab your keys and walk to the front door.
Your dog vocalizes. You issue a correction with your E-Collar.
You open the front door and your dog starts barking. You issue a higher level correction.
Your dog settles in and lays down in the crate.
You walk out of the door and watch over the video feed for 3 minutes.
Come back in after 3 minutes and let your dog out.
Reward your dog.
Round 2
Put your dog in their crate and reward.
Grab your keys and walk to the front door.
You open the front door and your dog starts barking. You issue a correction.
Your dog settles in and lays down in the crate.
You walk out of the door and watch over the video feed for 3 minutes.
Come back in after 3 minutes and let your dog out.
Reward your dog.
Round 3
Put your dog in their crate and reward.
Grab your keys and walk to the front door.
You open the front door and your dog remains settled in their crate.
You walk out of the door and watch over the video feed.
Come back in after 3 minutes and let your dog out.
Reward your dog.
Continue the “Game” by playing with the sounds and routines of leaving as well as the duration. Some rounds will be tough. You can add a little vocal support to help reassure your dog. If the round has gotten too challenging, it’s OK, stop, reset and try again.
One quick note about when to come back in and return to your dog:
During your practice rounds, it is important to come back in and return to your dog when they are calm and quiet. We don’t want to come back when they are crying because we are rewarding their misbehavior. We also don’t want to greet them too quickly. Most dogs with separation anxiety are anticipating the return of their owner, so we don’t want to rush in over eagerly and reward their anticipation with our attention. Once your dog is calm, then you can say “hello” and give them all your love and attention.
If not calm… come back calm and unrewarding in your own temperament. Reset (even allowing the dog out of the crate), then try again with less temptations.
Separation anxiety can be a tough issue, but you can make progress. It’s one of the trickier behaviors to problem solve, but it is possible to overcome these challenges and help your dog become confident and independent.