Keep in mind, separation anxiety is caused by your poodle’s stress and fear at being left alone. Punishing a dog with separation anxiety will make the problem worse! This is especially true, when it comes to a poodle. I believe that because of the poodle’s sensitive nature that yelling and punishment will make any problem worse.
If you missed the previous post, you may want to read about the causes and symptoms of canine separation anxiety before continuing.
Here are some general tips for helping a dog with Canine Separation Anxiety:
- Adopt a low-key approach to leaving the house
- Emotional good-byes will only cause your dog to be more anxious when you leave. Ignore your dog for a few minutes before you leave and a few minutes on your return.
- If there is a whirlwind of activity that takes place prior to everyone leaving the house all at the same time, put the dog away in it’s own special place half an hour or so before everyone leaves, otherwise the dog is left in a state of high tension when everyone is gone and he is alone.
- Never Punish Your Dog Or Shout At It When You Return Home
- No matter what damage you may find. Always remember punishing a dog with separation anxiety can make the problem escalate. All separation anxiety problems are stress reactions. If the dog is torn between his desperate desire to see you and the knowledge that you will scream and possibly hit him on your return, his stress will only be that much worse.
- Prevent destructive behavior
- Prevent destructive behavior by keeping your dog confined in a crate or other small area when you are gone. Provide stimulating toys, like nyla-bones or toys you can fill with treats.
- Try playing the radio
- or leaving the television on when you are gone. Experiment whether your dog reacts better to a tuned station or to “white noise”, the rushing sound in between stations. Some dogs find this soothing.
- Aromatherapy
- A calming scent like lavender helps some dogs. The Comfort Zone DAP for Dogs Diffuser is said to reduce or completely stop stress-related behavior including: barking, whimpering and whining, chewing, urination and defecation. Also reduces or eliminates separation anxiety.
- Do not reward bad behavior
- Do not reward barking, whining, jumping, pawing, or frantic behavior with any affection or attention, not even eye contact. Reward calm, quiet, and non-dependent behavior with calm praise and attention. Save your affection for when the dog is behaving.
- No Pampering
- Don’t spend all day pampering and petting your dog. Practice having the dog spend short periods of time alone on a consistent basis. Shut room doors behind you when you are moving around the house. Leave the dog in one room while you are in another for a few minutes.
- For over attachment problems in particular
- It is important not to let your dog sleep with you. You can keep the dog in the bedroom with you, but confine it to a crate or it’s own bed.
Other Helpful Tips
Spend quality, one-on-one time every day with your dog. Five to twenty minutes a day can help your dog feel more secure. This quality time should consist of fun interactive play and exercise. Poodles need plenty of exercise and stimulation.
A dog who is able to look out the window when you are gone may become more stressed by seeing other dogs and people, and is likely to look for you the whole time. It is much better for his long term health to relax and go to sleep in a quiet room.
If you are gone every day for long periods of time, consider hiring a dog sitter. You can try to find someone who loves dogs that will give your dog some company for a couple hours a day.
An other alternative, is to hire a dog walker who can come and take your dog out for a little while during the day.
Contact your veterinarian to help determine if your dog has separation anxiety and what treatments are available. There are many books such as; The Canine Separation Anxiety Workbook that can help you deal with, and understand your dogs Separation Anxiety.
Don’t Give Up! Remember dogs are the most loyal companions and they seem to live their lives trying to make us happy.
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