CURING SEPARATION ANXIETY

Using a method known as “planned departure” has proved to be very effective and is far more productive than simply correcting the behaviour as it goes to the source of the problem. The idea is to mould the dog's reaction by making a series of short departures. As the anxious response always occurs very shortly after the owner leaves the premises, the dog is left for only a few minutes (or even seconds to start with) to ensure the owner returns before the dog becomes frenzied. The owner should leave the house quietly without speaking to the dog and should not allow the dog to exhibit a prolonged greeting upon his or her return – simply ignoring the behaviour and turning away will gradually discourage this. The planned departures should be very slowly increased in length, never staying away long enough for the dog to become agitated or frenzied. This process takes time and patience, but it does eventually work. Once the dog is calm during a thirty minute departure, the length of time can be increased by larger increments.