| Folks who adopt rescue dogs rarely know the | | | | training, since its best to eliminate separation |
| dog's history. Was he completely abandoned? Did | | | | anxiety BEFORE crate training]. |
| he ever bond with his former owner? Was he | | | | Start the very next weekend. Get up as though |
| abused and therefore distrustful of humans? The | | | | you were going about your weekday routine. Go |
| point is, you'll never know if your newly adopted | | | | through all the rituals. Never make a big fuss |
| friend will suffer from separation anxiety until he's | | | | when you leave. Do not coddle the dog. Head out |
| settled in and you start disappearing every day. | | | | the door as you would Monday through Friday. |
| So, it's best to be prepared should he begin to | | | | Even start up your car. But this time, rather than |
| display all the classic symptoms. | | | | drive away, you're going to wait five minutes and |
| Most of us are creatures of habit. And, that | | | | walk back into the house. |
| attribute is often displayed as we begin our | | | | Don't make a big fuss, simply go get a treat to |
| morning "go to work" or "go to school" rituals. | | | | give your dog (after "sit") and a little bit of praise |
| Make the coffee, get a shower, gather our keys, | | | | for being a good boy or girl. If time permits, do |
| our briefcase or book bag, coat, hat, maybe | | | | this several times each Saturday and Sunday until |
| warm up the car. Then, after all that, you're out | | | | you begin to notice positive results. Each time |
| the door and off. And your dog is left wondering | | | | increase the time by five or ten minutes. The |
| when, even if, you'll walk through that door again. | | | | purpose is to impress upon your dog that your |
| Panic takes over, which leads to severe anxiety, | | | | leaving is not a forever thing and in fact it is a |
| and some or all the classic symptoms - panting, | | | | positive event (he gets a treat and some praise |
| nervous pacing, chewing anything in site, digging at | | | | upon your return - whether it was five minutes |
| the door to escape and catch up to you, | | | | or 8 hours). |
| incessant barking, whining, loss of bladder control. | | | | Here's another tip that will help you achieve the |
| Not a pretty state for your dog to be in day | | | | end goal of calmness when you leave. Try to |
| after day. And, it may not be a pretty state of | | | | make a morning walk with your dog routine. Dogs |
| your home upon your return. | | | | that are well exercised spend more of their idle |
| I see no sense going into the causes of | | | | time resting rather than panicking. A morning walk |
| separation anxiety, since the treatment I have | | | | will do you a world of good too I'll bet. |
| found to be successful and recommend you try | | | | As soon as you notice that your dog is handling |
| would be the same regardless. | | | | your departures much better with less stress and |
| I suggest that you combine crate training with | | | | anxiety, start your crate training. Again, I ask that |
| desensitization training. Both will require some | | | | you refer to my article Rescue Dog Training - |
| effort on your part as well as your dog's, but the | | | | Crate Training is Kind not Cruel which will explain |
| payoff will be well worth the time it takes to do it | | | | how to acclimate your dog to spending time in |
| right. I ask that you refer to another article I | | | | the crate. |
| posted on this Web site called - Rescue Dog | | | | It is recommended that you perform the same |
| Training - Crate Training is Kind not Cruel. In that | | | | procedures as soon as you begin your crate |
| article I explain the best methods for getting your | | | | training. Go through your normal morning routines, |
| dog acclimated to his crate to the point where he | | | | leave and then return 5 minutes later. Putter |
| actually looks forward to time in his safe haven. | | | | around the house a bit before you release your |
| But, maybe it best I dedicate a few words on | | | | dog from the crate. Do NOT make a big fuss as |
| crating just to ease any guilt you may be feeling | | | | he leaves the crate nor should you give him a |
| about "imprisoning" your dog in a steel wire box. | | | | treat at this moment. Otherwise, he'll perceive |
| Remember, your dog's ancestors and his modern | | | | being out of the crate is better than being in the |
| day relatives in the Canedae family -- wolves and | | | | crate. Wait a few moments before you give him |
| foxes -- use caves and dens to take refuge from | | | | a treat and some petting and even a few "Good |
| danger or when they just need a quiet place to | | | | Boys". Do this routine on several consecutive |
| relax. Make your dog's "cave" large enough to | | | | weekends, and make your absence a little longer |
| stand and turn around and you'll find he will | | | | each time. |
| eventually wander in there on his own just for | | | | Eventually, because of your persistent |
| some peaceful downtime. Hopefully your hesitation | | | | desensitization and crate training, you'll be able to |
| to crate training as part of the cure for | | | | leave the crate door open and he will come and |
| separation anxiety has been reduced. So, let's | | | | go as he pleases, knowing that you will eventually |
| move on to desensitization or conditioning training. | | | | return. |
| Recall those rituals I listed above that you go | | | | A couple of closing comments. If you are away |
| through before you leave the house for an | | | | much longer than eight hours each day, you would |
| extended absence? Well, there is a real good | | | | be well advised to consider placing your dog in a |
| chance your dog notices them to the point where | | | | doggie day care center. This will be good for your |
| he associates abandonment with those rituals. As | | | | dog, and good for you knowing you will be picking |
| soon as he notices your very first morning ritual, | | | | up a happy, tired, well-adjusted pooch at the end |
| he may start to exhibit the classic symptoms of | | | | of the day. |
| separation anxiety I listed earlier. Panting or | | | | If you have an extreme case of separation |
| barking, following you everywhere, or he may | | | | anxiety, you may want to pursue vet prescribed |
| even disappear, preferring to hide until his | | | | medication. But I would make this a last resort. If |
| anticipated fear becomes reality. At which point | | | | you are consistent and patient with your training, |
| panic will take over. | | | | you should meet with success. |
| Our objective with desensitization training will be | | | | Make sure you are a knowledgeable dog owner |
| to reverse the association your dog places on | | | | who has at his disposal excellent instruction that |
| those morning rituals. We'll turn the negative | | | | will help you correct any negative behavior your |
| associations into positive or at least neutral | | | | dog may exhibit during his long, happy life. Visit |
| associations. [The techniques described below | | | | my site referenced below to review the two |
| assume you have not yet gone through crate | | | | resources I found to be most useful. |