My puppy's separation anxiety has brought my life to a screeching halt. I struggle to shower. I can't make a quick trip to the grocery store without planning hours or days in advance. Watching this video made me tear up. There are ideas, like building up excitement for the Kong by locking it in the crate before leaving, that I'm genuinely excited to try. Thank you SO MUCH for the great ideas.
I feel you so much! Our life is not our life anymore for last 7 years. But our recent great success is that we now sleep separately, on different floors. We have relocated, and it made it possible. At least our bed belongs to us now!
Please give updates??? Is there anything you're trying that's working? I'm in the same situation. Daycare everyday. All day, every day... We can't be separate for any amount of time. She's almost a year old and I don't see a light in ANY tunnel. Tried so many things. It seems to get worse.
@@melissabrown4878 hi! Okay, here's what worked for my guy. The game changer was a remote treat dispenser. He's very food motivated, so that made this possible. I set up the treat dispenser on top of his crate, then many times a day, I'd do chores, clean, pace, whatever, just hitting the button every time I was out of his sight. After a couple weeks, I found him occasionally lounging in his crate under the dispenser without me around just waiting for treats. At that point, when I had to leave, I'd exercise him well to really tire him out, dispense a treat, walk out the door, then sit in my car dispensing treats until he'd lay down to rest (because he was tired!). At first, I barely had enough time to run to the grocery store and back, but after a couple months, I started getting hours rather than minutes. Now, I can leave him 4-5 hours at a time! (6 months later) Also, unlike what most trainers suggest, I found leaving him with a chew/kong to be less effective because it kept him stimulated. If I left him with nothing to do but wait for a treat, he was more likely to get bored and doze off. I wish you so much success and hope this helps. I 100% understand your struggle!
@@melissabrown4878 are things going better? For me it only worked with a f** ton of breathing and relaxation exercises cause it is one of the most frustrating and desolating situations ive experienced. Once I was calmed, everything started flowing as supposed, also don't get too excited when you see progress
Putting the high value item in the crate for 10 minutes before letting the dog in so they’re really focussed on it is a great idea and one I haven’t seen in other advice videos. Thanks for the tip!
This lady knows her stuff. Really knows her stuff. Not that others don’t - lots of helpful ideas out there from others - but Carol is the best I’ve seen on this topic particularly. I’m lucky that I’m only here for education and interest. Camera and remote treat-dispenser are game-changers.
I put a treat puzzle with his favorite treats before I go out the door. He is so excited I can sneak out. I just invested in a pet geek treat dispenser, a lick pad, a Kong and goodies to put in them. My dog has become high maintenance.
Great video! Thanks so much! I very recently rescued a street dog that looks to be a Labrador+Pitbull. I immediately set up an appointment to get her spayed. Turns out, I couldn't get to the vet fast enough. If we waited very long at all, she was going to have puppies! Oh, my! At any rate, she absolutely became enamored with me. Within a couple of days, she was my protectorate. She went from a street dog I had to trap to my shadow. It took a couple of days, but as my friend said, "She just adores you." Ok. Fine. But she was over the top. When I had to leave, she would howl. When I had to be gone for an entire day, she managed to bend the joints on a standard wire crate and make herself at home all over the house, which included relieving herself on my bed and pillows. I knew we might have a little "situation" when she greeted me at the door. That was on Friday, two days after being spayed. The cone, the crate, me being gone . . . oh, my! Saturday and Sunday, I spent time practicing your ideas with her. I've reinforced the crate, and now we will look at how practicing the "good stuff" will pay off. I expect things will be OK. I've worked with other dogs over the years, and once they are properly crate-trained, they don't mind spending a lot of time in their "den." I also appreciate the clarity with which you clarify what anxiety is and what it is not.
Hello there, I have been following Mccandogs for a few years now. Even though my first and only dog Lucy is not with me anymore (RIP baby), and I couldn't decide if I am ready to adopt another street, stray dog yet, I still check the channel from time to time. I just wanted to say this lady Carol is good at what and how she explains. It would be good to see her more. Thank you. Have a good day.
I appreciate all of your advice and techniques. They're spot on. I started crating a high strung, Jack Russell that was a few years old. He had terrible resource guarding, including people and would spin in circles and loose his mind everytime u left him alone...a crate was exactly what he was needing. He took to his new, safe place, right away and laid in it, with the door open, throughout the day while I would get chores done around the house.
This is the most informative video on the separation anxiety that I have seen on the internet. I'll be definitely trying to imply all the advice to help my dog relieve his anxiety. Thank you so much for creating such a helpful content!
It’s a difficult one. I rescued an 8 month old dog nearly 4 months ago, she had been in the rescue home all her life and was very nervous. She become very attached to me, on day 2 when I went out and left her with my husband she was howling for over an hour. Follows me everywhere. It has improved some, but trying to leave her alone is proving difficult. I set up FaceTime and she spent the first half hour howling on and off but then settled down and slept. She’s not food motivated which is making it difficult. She has a kong but she’s not that interested, isn’t bothered about peanut butter. She’s done a 6 week beginners training course and was really good at that and became a lot more confident. We’ve never had to toilet train her, which has been amazing. We live in Cyprus in a rural area, don’t have neighbours and quite far from supermarkets so a trip out involves at least 30-40 mins driving alone which isn’t helping. She’s not as bad as some I’ve read about, I just don’t want her getting distressed/upset when I go out 😢
@@sherrylechaton6924 I think I made it worse! Read to set up a video call to see what she does, so did FaceTime with my phone and iPad. That didn’t help me really. Left her the other ending for 3 hours and let her go into a different room that she likes sleeping in, it was a success. Was asleep in there when we got back 😁 good luck, sometimes I think they grow out of it and have to get used to being on their own some of the time.
Love the long distance dispenser. When we got our two lab puppies, we would toss broken up dog cookies around as we were leaving. Eventually, they couldn't wait for us to leave! They would just be snoozing when we got home.
Excellent guidance and patience. I had a dog with severe sep anx and it was heartbreaking. I had no clue. So grateful for videos like this so I can avoid these things with my puppy.
Thank you. I just got a new little doggie. He's only 1 years old and I want him to feel confident alone. He's a good boy and I can't wait to implement your methods. Thanks again. Your dog is adorable and wonderful by the way.
Thank you! Our rescue has extreme separation anxiety and this is the first time I’ve learned it’s an actual phobia. So many good tips here … thank you!!🤞
My dog goes everywhere with me. Almost. We went out to eat one evening. Left her in the house. Got home and she was on the front porch with blood everywhere. She broke a window to get out and cut inside of her leg. Took the vet putting in stitches. When I go to my Dr I can take her and leave her in my Expedition while I go in. If I go during the summer when it's too hot she stays with my grandson. She loves him but if it's overnight she will be up all night. In the6 years she has been with me she has maybe 2 weeks away from me. Including the week she ran off and got caught and put in the pound. She lost a lot of weight during that week.
I've always wanted a husky, finally got one, and she is so perfect except for the screaming and crying whenever we leave. I'll take whatever advice I can right now ha. So far we can get her to sleep outside of our bedroom with our door cracked open a bit, some light on, and a podcast in the background. It doesn't help that I work from home!
My dog has separation anxiety when left alone in the house. We are create training and working on alone time in the crate. Next step is leaving him while we are out front vs in our room. He broke out of the crate 4 times so we switched gears and are putting him in other locations to create trained
This trainer covers A LOT of incidentals not covered or considered (crate sizes and possible collar entanglement etc, in other videos to address this very difficult to solve problem. The high value toy IN the crate and dog locked OUT is genius. Great distraction strategy.
Excellent video. This is the best video I ever seen regarding separation anxiety. It provided various situations and tips on how to deal with them. Great information. I love it. Thank you for your hard work and sharing this video with us.👍👏💐
I have a Husky who follows me around the house. She is with me because the SPCA got her from another shelter. I'm fostering her. She has severe issues when she is alone.
This was so good Carol, I have been struggling with her crate anxiety, trying to figure out how I was going to work on it. Absolutely awesome video! Thank you😊
Not sure if you can add more chapters at this point or not, but I think the BIG Mistake part at 11:50 should have its own chapter. It's pretty important and gets a little lost in the Kong chapter.
Thank you for this video. I was worried my puppy was developing separation anxiety but you have relieved some worry! I am working on alone time and apart from some minor whinging to begin with she usually settled. Thanks for putting my mind at ease
Thank you. This is really helping me figure out why Gary has started howling when I leave. He digs at the door after too. He’s literally owning me. I know about the key trick & honestly, this is a great idea; but once he starts getting that panicked “I’m abandoned OMG!” Look….I seriously can’t go anywhere unless it’s an absolute necessity. I’m sick & can’t work, so lucky for him - but when I have MRI’s & I’m gone for 3 hours; I have to take breaks to check in with him on his doggie camera & talk him through it. That seems to help; but seriously, it’s making me feel sicker. Terrier - yes, Gary is a blue heeler/JRT mix. He doesn’t pee or barf but it’s still actually stomach churning. Gary doesn’t crate, he’s free range at 11 months - he’s good with this. He will go to his bed & chill when he takes breaks from long, deep, sad howling with some barks. He has a doggie door to the yard, his Gary camera; yup treats & toys. He has his dog seat in my car; it sucks that there’s just some places I can’t take him. I usually take him on errands, but the second I go to leave to run into the store - LESS than 10 minutes; he now starts whining & barking. I get out & go around to his side of the car, give him a treat & toy & tell him “I’ll be right out.” I literally have to put on either Bob Marley or the sad Sarah Mcglochin song on. Lol he loves him some Sarah - seriously though I am EXHAUSTED! Edit: wait, he doesn’t supervise you in the bathroom? I stepped in him getting out of the shower one day. I didn’t know he was in there! - yup the pheromone collar, yup the music, calming treats…..anxiety wrap? Maybe I’ll try this. Sort of like a weighted blanket I guess. If you met gary, you’d get why I’m about to vomit watching the dog camera footage. He’s the best dog in the universe ever. He’s saved my life. He’s the only thing keeping me alive at this point. People literally stop their cars when we are on walks…”oh my god! It’s Gary!” Me: “who the hell are you again?” - he’s a celebrity. He’s truly my little angel.
That peanut butter in the crate before the dog idea makes so much sense. One question - I can see my pup barking at the kong because she can't get to it. How would you deal with that?
Make it’s easier for her to get into the long maybe a larger desprender for her to start off then advance once she familiar with how to get it out . Hope that helps
Atlas definitely has separation anxiety, he drools and licks obsessively when we are gone and completely destroyed his wire kennel. We ended up having to get him an anxiety kennel after he tore up the carpet while we were gone. He never tears up anything while we are home. We have been working on what he thinks of the crate and feeding him at least one of his meals in the crate and that seems to be helping a little bit. I think I’m going to try taking a video of him while we are gone.
We had to put our older dog to sleep this past summer. He mainly stayed in the kitchen along with our 8 yr old terrier. Now that he has been gone for about 5 months, our terrier that has always stayed in a crate while we are at work is having severe panic attacks while we are gone. Sometimes, this lasts for hours at a time. It's terrible to watch on the camera. He has been taking medication for the past 2 weeks. Hopefully, it starts to give him some relief soon. He stands in the enclosed area of the kitchen all night as soon as he realizes we are sleeping.
My dog doesn’t care about toys, food, water. I’ve tried putting my used clothes in the crate, the kong toy but he’s too smart. He’s hyper focused on me and if he sees me leaving he’ll drop whatever he’s doing and follow me. Then when I’m out of the house he’ll yelp cry until I come home according to my roommate. I’ve resorted to taking him with me everywhere and have him in my car with the windows down while I work.
You’re lucky that dog seems quite chill. I have a foster that will be distracted until the treats end in the crate and then he’ll chew his way out of the crate.
I have a 4 month old malshi, we left him alone for a few hrs once and had some doggy music on, he did great. he slept most of the time. but the last time we left him the music I guess didn't work on the TV so he howled the entire time. he had his bed, food, water and he's still not fully vaccinated so he had his potty pad.
@@daniel.shojaei mine just sits patiently at the door. The only thing he's bad with is not letting me sit on the couch. And God help me if I touch the Xbox controller. The only time he ever barks is at me when I'm not paying attention to him.
I think some breeds behave better than others. Intelligence plays a large part too.. we have had dogs that we can close the door and think we have simply passed away. Other dogs who will watch out the window knowing we are right there. The smarter dogs knew we would come back.
My dog has separation anxiety. She drools, won’t eat treats of any kind, potty’s on the floor or crate. I don’t know what to do. We used a pet sitter last week and she was great. She just hates to be alone. Working on desensitizing her.
1st) Yes! My dog is terrified! I try to take him with me when possible and he gets terrified in the car too. Stares at floor with mouth open, looks like he will have a stroke. At home he won't react normal to treats, just totally starts to panic. I did recently get him from a shelter that he was surrendered (he would dig out). He is the best. We have really bonded except when I occasionally have to get out with or without him.
I'm struggling due to my dog not being treat motivated. She likes her kennel enough to go in and out on her own but when it comes to leaving, she doesnt want to go near the kennel. No amount of food or treats convinces her to go in. If i physically partially lay in her kennel i can sometimes convince her to join me, but thats about it.
This is a great video. I'm gonna try this training with my Malshi that definitely has separation anxiety when he's left alone. He barks , shakes and he won't eat . He's not food motivated so not sure what I can give him to stop boredom .
If I put a high value treat or Kong inside his crate, he gets so wound up that he’ll find it hard to relax once he gets it. He’d get too frustrated. He even managed to unbolt the crate door to get to it. 🤦🏼♀️😂 What I noticed with mine is that he needs to have an awareness that I leave. If I distract him when I leave and he realises I’m gone once his distraction is finished, he gets a little worried. If he sees me leave, he sniffed at the door and then settles down. This has taken me and him a fair amount of time though. I’m on my own and it was tough at times.
Thank you. This will be great for leaving my dog at home. He isn't too bad when I leave for short periods of time. He is absolutely terrified of being left in my vehicle. He shakes constantly and has even vomitted. Any suggestions on how to deal with leaving him alone in my truck?
What if your dog isn't treat or food motivated? our pup is a pomapoo and 4 months old. I have to work in office two days a week for a few hours, so as you said, it breaks our progress of desensitization training. If i put her in the crate (where she feels most safe, i believe), she doesn't care about anything else (not even food), she is so fixated on me and my absence until i'm back. any further advice? :(
My 12 year old chihuahua has always been a momma’s boy, but in recent years it’s gotten a little worse. Things went majorly downhill when our 19yo LittleBit got put down this past June. Now Milo freaks out so bad when i leave the house, worse than I’ve ever seen him. Hoping some of this advice will work..
My puppy has very severe separation anxiety. I've used a kong since the beginning, stuffing it full of food and throwing it in the crate as I'm leaving. But because he's my first puppy, I made some mistakes (like leaving him alone too long too soon, and not giving him the stuffed kong at times when I'm not leaving as well) so he's come to associate all of the "good" things with me leaving. If I give him a stuffed kong and I'm not sitting on the couch where he can see me, he panicks because the kong equalled me leaving. I've tried to revert my mistakes by always leaving his Kong in the crate, and every now and then putting some food in it. When he gets carrot, it goes in his Kong. His dental sticks go in his Kong. His Kong gets filled with kibble and then put in his food bowl with the rest of his kibble at mealtimes. But so far it hasn't reversed this issue. I've been working on desensiting keys and doors. I always tire him out before I leave. I've tried covering his crate (he pulls the covers in and chews them full of holes). I leave music on, then he started to panic everytime I played music even when I was home (this is how he started panicking when I was going in the shower because initially he didn't). So I tried podcasts so he hears people talking, they haven't worked either. I have tried pheromones and calming sprays and herbal solutions, but he always started associating the smells with me leaving. Putting the spray on him before taking him for a walk didn't help make it a positive association either. I've tried him in a big crate and in a small crate, I've tried him in the corner of the room, I've tried him at the side of the couch. This video was really helpful, and I think setting up a life video feed and having a remote treat dispenser will have to be my next step, because I've tried everything else. I wish I could go back in time to prevent all of his negative associations, but now I am left having to battle them. If I take him for a long walk, including some training time, and playing time and am home, he will collapse and sleep for over an hour. But when I do that and then leave, he refuses to sleep and barks and howls the entire time. In fact, even when I'm home, he refuses to sleep if he isn't near me. If I stand up, he shoots awake. If his bed is on the left side of the coffee table and I'm sitting on the right side of the couch, he will come to lie on the floor in front of me. When I'm gone he'll eat his kibble in the bowl, but won't touch his Kong. He tips his water bowl all over the crate (after the second time I stopped leaving him with his water bowl). And then when I get home (since I got him, I've always completely ignored him and not made any fuss when leaving or coming back home) he gets overwhelmed at me being back and pees in his crate. If I've just had a great day, and I get home I have to deal with chaos and it just absorbs all my energy and all the positive feelings that I had from having a good day. He's such a well behaved dog when I'm home, on walks, in his puppy classes, on public transport, etc. But this separation anxiety is awful. He's also a little dog obsessed, so when other dogs leave (say we're the last ones to leave his puppy class and he's seen the others go through the door), he starts to show separation anxiety for them as well. When I stay at my parents, and I leave the room but my dad is still there with him, my puppy will get upset about me leaving and go lie against the door and won't play or move until I come back into the room. If my dad takes his dog for a walk and we stay home, he whines and gets really upset about my dad's dog leaving the room. I took him for a walk with my neighbour and her dog, but we only had time to do part of their walk, when it was time for me and puppy to turn around and head home without the other dog, he was upset and whining and turning around and tripping over himself the whole way back. I'd happily give up him being able to reliably bring a ball back if I could trade it for him not panicking when I, or a known dog, leave.
@@Selahhhhhhhhhhh yeah it's really tough. A little while ago I had to do a food shop and left him two hours with so many toys and stuffed kong and a rabbit ear and he'd just had his first agility class so he was completely exhausted and when I came home after the shopping he had bitten his cage so much and pulled on it that 3 places he'd bent the wire out of shape. 2 of the places I managed to bend it back but the bit at the top is just a massive gap that won't bend back. I've been putting him in the yard recently because he seems calmer there and then I can sneak out the front door, it's okay for shorter periods but after 20 minutes he also has chewed my plants to pieces and managed to open the back door and let my cat outside. So it's hit and miss. We're supposed to be seeing a behaviourist later this month (really long waiting list) so hopefully they will be able to tailor some specific advice because everything I've found online and been adviced so far hasn't worked at all.
My landlord lives next door and has complained about my 7 year old chihuahua howling when I’m gone. I set up a camera and he basically howls almost nonstop. I had to get a bark collar but even though he’s quiet he’s still panicking. He screams and whines if I put him in the crate even though I’ve tried crate training for years. At least he doesn’t eat the carpet anymore. I was taking him to work at dog daycare with me but it seems like it’s actually making his anxiety worse so I’m thinking of getting a pet sitter but it’s so expensive. I hope we can work together and get him more comfortable!
My dog freaks out when any of the three of us leave the living room. If one person goes to the kitchen to make dinner she barks the whole time. I know when I go to work she’s barking the whole time and it breaks my heart. I’m having trouble getting any time away from her.
My dog came like this since she was three months old. She demanded the Vet get her out of the cage. I’m not doing this. I started leaving her for an hour at a time. She’s gotten much better. I don’t play into animal or toddler’s fear bc it then teaches them they have a reason to fear
So many dogs aren’t exercised and people expect them to behave. Just like children, they need mental and physical challenges or they WILL get into trouble or be a pain in the arse
Put head phone on and turn up the sound and leave dog anyway. Do not go back until she is quiet. Every time you go back she is being told she is the boss. If she has been exercised fed tired out for potty, then set an alarm and start with five min. Go put a load of clothes in and leave her. When you go back into room, DON’T acknowledge her. Only acknowledge good behavior. We send messages we’re not realizing. Not stating it’s us that caused it, but we often times play into it. If they feel our calmness when they react like this, they will become comfortable with you leaving. You know you’re coming bk, so don’t give her conditioned response. We’re supposed to send out confidential body language so they may read a different vibe from us. Hope this helos
I know I'm months late, but I have a newly adopted pup who follows everyone no matter what. He's always under and on my feet and struggles to be left alone in his crate for not even a minute. I have his crate covered, tv on, his favorite toys and high value treats and just nothing. At night he's much better, just a few whimpers but eventually gives in and sleeps. However, during the day, he is practically screaming (I always exercise BEFORE having him lay down for a nap). He will not focus on anything but us as soon as we move. What can I do to help him understand it's ok?
@@topazthelycanroc8522 I took my dog off kibble and everything got better. Behavior, anxiety, scratching, etc. Also, I tell my dog when I'm leaving without her and when I'm " going to the store " with her. My dog understands. I say " I'm leaving " while I point to myself...and point to the door and then i say " and you're staying " and I point to the ground. I do this twice. My dog understands...and she wont try to leave with me.
@@topazthelycanroc8522 Then, If I am going to take my dog with me in the car..I say " Were going to the store " and I gesture by pointing to myself and to her..back and forth. So, my dog knows words and knows what is happening. Dogs know up to 250 words if you train them by talking to them.
@@topazthelycanroc8522 When I tell my dog I'm leaving...i am not near the door...I'm in my recliner or wherever...but i stop and say " look at me " and then I start with ...the words...then I point in the direction of the door.... i think in the beginning tho my dog didn't understand and we were having the discussion at the door area. Now, my dog understands what i am saying even if i'm in the back room.
Our foster dog has separation anxiety and this was so helpful. Trying to prevent the barking during the day (for our neighbors sake) by speaking to him over the camera. Is this reinforcing his anxiety or helping? Sometimes he quiets down and goes back to sleep
I tried so hard to do this. He smelled the Kong and wanted it but when I open the crate, he go in. So I put him in so he could have the kong. I was still in the room walking around - instead of having the Kong, he cried and barked while I was still in the room. At that point I ignored him till he was quiet before I can let him out. It maybe a while. I feel like I made the experience bad and now I don’t know what to do ☹️
I've tried many of these tatics and poured several thousand dollars in training to help train my dog out of her separation anxiety. I put so much time into her everyday. Its been a year and we've only made a dent in her issues. At this point I needed to live my life. I care about my dog but trying to take on the responsibility of helping her overcome trauma and fear is looking like a ridiculous and stressful venture.
Didn't you hear her "it's not easy" and after a year and you're being honest about how much you're working on the problem, reassess, you're missing something that your dog needs. Set your camera up to film you and your dog's behaviour when you are preparing to go out, and analyse, right down to the smallest detail. Good luck, keep at it.
I got what I thought was the perfect dog. They re-homed the dog to us and I was like why would they get rid of such a sweetheart? Come to found out when we left her alone for the first time she peed all over the house and barked without stop. So we leave her in the crate and she pees in her crate when we leave her. I'm really irritated with the people for minimizing any problems.
Herar ya, but my foster dog truely has seperation anxiety. She is not bored, she does not bark. Her whole body shakes and she starts having panic attacks...tongue hanging out, yes drooling. I come back... after even just 20 minutes and she is trembeling, thirsty. I do not give rewards when I enter, like pets or such. She was fantic. She must lay down ..to calm herself, she needs to self soothe. She is never allowed on furnature and has her own beds. I made a cave bed for her too. When I leave, It is fear. She is a well behaved dog, but in that anxiety state she has clawed up doors. It is the same behavior she shows when she hears fireworks. No thunder shirts and calming chews do not work. She is a soundless dog untill I leave then it is just wimpering and panting the whole time. How do I know, we have a camera recording her. She is now 4. I work from home. And no the kong toy with frozen peanut butter did not work either.
My dog wants to follow me everywhere! Can't go anywhere without her at my feet! It's constantl I put her in a kennel where she eats, but as soon as she is done, she wants out. She wines and barks.
Does this video apply to puppies? How do you know what is normal for a 3 month old puppy? Everytime I leave he goes insane and starts whining, crying, and howling like he's being tortured. I've had him 1 week. All his needs are being met. Food, water, toys, play time, lots of exercise and walks. He is also fearful of a lot of noises (especially airplanes, cars, trains etc) and runs away when I try to pet him and scoots away when I try to pet him. The rescue got him when he was 5 weeks of off the streets. Once I grab him he is loveable and sweet. He plays well. Before he came to me, he was in a house of 9 dogs (including his brother) and they all loved each other... they played constantly. Now, he is in a home with no dogs and only us humans. What shpuld my approach be here? I never give into his whines as much as it is sad. I don't want him to think I will come running everytime. Thanks
My new guy has that. His pupils dilate. He shredded his muzzle, his paw, and bit his tongue. I want this to work so badly. He came from a very traumatizing situation. He also vomited.
I came across this video to look a solution to my 12 weeks Cockapoo. He whines/barking crazily when I'm out of his sight. Even if my wife or daughter still in the room, he still barks until I come back. Would you say he has separation anxiety just with me?
I leave a bunch of treat puzzles, snuffle mats, treat filled kong and lick mats and while she's busy I sneak out and then she goes in her crate and goes to sleep when she realizes I'm gone.
I always leave, without making a fuss. At first 10 minutes, then 20 , then come back without making a fuss, as if I just saw them. Now, when I come back they are sound asleep. It wasn’t difficult at all.
Very nice channel, i learned a lot about dogs, i am a new owner and i need some advices about training Jack Russell Terrier. She is just a 4 months old, not really interested in food so it's really complicated to have her interested and focused. Any advices?
There’s no way my dog will go into his crate willingly. If he goes in, he will get very aggressive and try to bite when you try to shut the door to the crate. His previous owner kept him locked in that crate for hours on end.
Make sure the dog has been exercised before you leave them and if you dont have time, ensure that someone else can walk them. That way they are much calmer since they will have exercised. You can't leave a dog in a crate for long periods either...have someone go in and exercise them. Dogs are intelligent, particularly border collies and need brain stimulation, lots of exercise and play. I'd go stir crazy kept in a confined space for too long so why do it to a pet..as humans we think they should be fine with it yet we wouldn't crate a kid or ourselves. Great for certain situations and for puppies but not not for long periods of time. If your lifestyle doesn't allow much time for the dog other than of an evening, wait until you do have time or ensure there's someone to break up the day to give it company. Dogs are pack animals after all.
Hi Carol!! My puppy Hudson (chihauhua spaniel mix) is 5 months old and we are dealing with heavy separation anxiety! He howls non stop whenever I leave (in his crate, in a penned area, or free roaming). Last week he howled for 3 hours straight till I got home. I’ll admit it’s my fault, I didn’t leave him alone nearly close to enough from the day I brought him home!! He is very well behaved, nondestructive and great at asking to go outside to use the bathroom which is why I let him roam free in the house since day 1. I am now trying to curb this anxiety by getting him a penned off area in the living room and plan to cut away his free roaming capabilities. My thinking is this will help him be more comfortable when I leave since he will be in there for hours at a time when I am home as well! Would love any feedback or correction/alternatives to this plan!
My female cannot be crated due to improper use by her previous owner. She is getting worse as time goes by. Her died 3.5 years ago and he worked from home so was there all day. Got worse when her fur brother died 1.5 years ago. Have tried everything and have taken her to the Vet. She barks, howls and paces for hours while defacating. It so sad. I have tried a Thunder Shirt, CBD treats, anti anxiety treats and prescription meds from Vet. Also leave the TV or radio on for her.
I have a basenji . Her problem is note her crate at home , but the crate in my car /van.She destroys her harnas by biting on the straps . And past winter she wore a jacket . Not excactly a thundershirt but she also did bite everything on pieces . It is a very good idea to video a session but i don't not how to fix this in my van . Face timing : splendid idea : can you explain how to do that technically ? thanks very much for your very excellent explanation - Simonne - Belgium
This is an awesome video! I'm having a very specific problem seperating my two dogs for walks (one is reactive, the other fearful, so I walk them seperately for training purposes). I can leave them both home alone and they're fine, and I can take one downstairs or to other parts of the house for training and leave the other and they're fine, but if I take one dog for a walk and leave the other, the other dog loses it completely. I feel like its more about being extremely jealous (because they want to go for a walk at the same time) than true seperation anxiety, but they both get extremely worked up when they're left and bark or howl their heads off. I can't seem to find any information anywhere about this kind of problem, but I'm sure I'm not the only one dealing with it. Sure would love some ideas on how to help them feel more comfortable with being seperated and waiting their turn for walks! 😥
my sister's Frenchie cries horribly, a terrible whine and tears streaming down and body shaking. our neighbors called the police because they thought someone was being abused. he is now on trazodone and has seen one behaviouralist and it hasn't gotten better or worse. my sister is often away and comes back and makes him unlearn everything. it's frustrating because she refuses to cooperate or give him to someone else. i feel horrible, i don't know what to do
My dog, uses teeth to shake the cage to get out (causes some bleeding on his gums), drools puddles, barks, howls, pants. He doesn’t stop to the point my neighbors here and 6 month of trying to train him and it doesn’t work.
When I'm sitting here in the house sometimes they'll be a loud motorcycle that pops or a loud car that has dual pipes or whatever making a lot of noise and she'll jump down off her bed and and really scared so how can I get her over that
My dog barks slobber everywhere and poops every time even if he poops before I leave. He hates the crate and the idea of coming home to a dog covered in poop or a house covered in it is not worth even going out. I have to get someone to stay or take him with me. I have two other dogs that have no issues and he is the youngest. He was also sick as a puppy and has had to be rushed to the vet for aspiration and another time he blew up with allergies to a bite.
My boyfriend's dog is 4 years old, and seems to have seperation anxiety. He sits by the window for a long time after we leave, we're told that he sits in my boyfriend's room for hours, howling, if we go away for a weekend. We're told that he usually doesnt eat if we're not home, and then if he starves himself all day, and my boyfriend gets home, he will eat his food too fast and then throw up. When we get home, he spends several minutes jumping up and down and squealing/whining, jumping on us, running around our legs etc. He doesnt just seem happy to see us, it almost seems like he was crying of relief that we didnt die while we were out lol. He also wakes my boyfriend up every night to go outside, so he never gets a full night's sleep. Is this normal? Is there a way to train him out of this behaviour so late in life?
My puppy's separation anxiety has brought my life to a screeching halt. I struggle to shower. I can't make a quick trip to the grocery store without planning hours or days in advance. Watching this video made me tear up. There are ideas, like building up excitement for the Kong by locking it in the crate before leaving, that I'm genuinely excited to try. Thank you SO MUCH for the great ideas.
I feel you so much! Our life is not our life anymore for last 7 years. But our recent great success is that we now sleep separately, on different floors. We have relocated, and it made it possible. At least our bed belongs to us now!
Please give updates??? Is there anything you're trying that's working? I'm in the same situation. Daycare everyday. All day, every day... We can't be separate for any amount of time. She's almost a year old and I don't see a light in ANY tunnel.
Tried so many things. It seems to get worse.
@@melissabrown4878 hi! Okay, here's what worked for my guy. The game changer was a remote treat dispenser. He's very food motivated, so that made this possible. I set up the treat dispenser on top of his crate, then many times a day, I'd do chores, clean, pace, whatever, just hitting the button every time I was out of his sight. After a couple weeks, I found him occasionally lounging in his crate under the dispenser without me around just waiting for treats. At that point, when I had to leave, I'd exercise him well to really tire him out, dispense a treat, walk out the door, then sit in my car dispensing treats until he'd lay down to rest (because he was tired!). At first, I barely had enough time to run to the grocery store and back, but after a couple months, I started getting hours rather than minutes. Now, I can leave him 4-5 hours at a time! (6 months later)
Also, unlike what most trainers suggest, I found leaving him with a chew/kong to be less effective because it kept him stimulated. If I left him with nothing to do but wait for a treat, he was more likely to get bored and doze off.
I wish you so much success and hope this helps. I 100% understand your struggle!
@@melissabrown4878any luck? I’m going through the same
@@melissabrown4878 are things going better? For me it only worked with a f** ton of breathing and relaxation exercises cause it is one of the most frustrating and desolating situations ive experienced. Once I was calmed, everything started flowing as supposed, also don't get too excited when you see progress
Putting the high value item in the crate for 10 minutes before letting the dog in so they’re really focussed on it is a great idea and one I haven’t seen in other advice videos. Thanks for the tip!
This lady knows her stuff. Really knows her stuff. Not that others don’t - lots of helpful ideas out there from others - but Carol is the best I’ve seen on this topic particularly. I’m lucky that I’m only here for education and interest. Camera and remote treat-dispenser are game-changers.
🎉I'm 1:48 not 😢😢😢🎉😢😢🎉🎉🎉😢😢🎉
I put a treat puzzle with his favorite treats before I go out the door. He is so excited I can sneak out.
I just invested in a pet geek treat dispenser, a lick pad, a Kong and goodies to put in them. My dog has become high maintenance.
Great video! Thanks so much! I very recently rescued a street dog that looks to be a Labrador+Pitbull. I immediately set up an appointment to get her spayed. Turns out, I couldn't get to the vet fast enough. If we waited very long at all, she was going to have puppies! Oh, my! At any rate, she absolutely became enamored with me. Within a couple of days, she was my protectorate. She went from a street dog I had to trap to my shadow. It took a couple of days, but as my friend said, "She just adores you." Ok. Fine. But she was over the top. When I had to leave, she would howl. When I had to be gone for an entire day, she managed to bend the joints on a standard wire crate and make herself at home all over the house, which included relieving herself on my bed and pillows. I knew we might have a little "situation" when she greeted me at the door. That was on Friday, two days after being spayed. The cone, the crate, me being gone . . . oh, my! Saturday and Sunday, I spent time practicing your ideas with her. I've reinforced the crate, and now we will look at how practicing the "good stuff" will pay off. I expect things will be OK. I've worked with other dogs over the years, and once they are properly crate-trained, they don't mind spending a lot of time in their "den."
I also appreciate the clarity with which you clarify what anxiety is and what it is not.
Hello there,
I have been following Mccandogs for a few years now.
Even though my first and only dog Lucy is not with me anymore (RIP baby), and I couldn't decide if I am ready to adopt another street, stray dog yet, I still check the channel from time to time.
I just wanted to say this lady Carol is good at what and how she explains.
It would be good to see her more.
Thank you.
Have a good day.
And my first dog is Lucy is 3 years naw 🥰
This is really helpful. We just adopted a dog with severe seperation anxiety and this makes a lot of sense. Thank you!
I appreciate all of your advice and techniques. They're spot on. I started crating a high strung, Jack Russell that was a few years old. He had terrible resource guarding, including people and would spin in circles and loose his mind everytime u left him alone...a crate was exactly what he was needing. He took to his new, safe place, right away and laid in it, with the door open, throughout the day while I would get chores done around the house.
This is the most informative video on the separation anxiety that I have seen on the internet. I'll be definitely trying to imply all the advice to help my dog relieve his anxiety. Thank you so much for creating such a helpful content!
100% agree - an actual step by step and demo
It’s a difficult one. I rescued an 8 month old dog nearly 4 months ago, she had been in the rescue home all her life and was very nervous. She become very attached to me, on day 2 when I went out and left her with my husband she was howling for over an hour. Follows me everywhere. It has improved some, but trying to leave her alone is proving difficult. I set up FaceTime and she spent the first half hour howling on and off but then settled down and slept. She’s not food motivated which is making it difficult. She has a kong but she’s not that interested, isn’t bothered about peanut butter. She’s done a 6 week beginners training course and was really good at that and became a lot more confident. We’ve never had to toilet train her, which has been amazing. We live in Cyprus in a rural area, don’t have neighbours and quite far from supermarkets so a trip out involves at least 30-40 mins driving alone which isn’t helping. She’s not as bad as some I’ve read about, I just don’t want her getting distressed/upset when I go out 😢
My dog is the same. So attached to me. Watching this video hoping for help. I need to get groceries.
@@sherrylechaton6924 I think I made it worse! Read to set up a video call to see what she does, so did FaceTime with my phone and iPad. That didn’t help me really. Left her the other ending for 3 hours and let her go into a different room that she likes sleeping in, it was a success. Was asleep in there when we got back 😁 good luck, sometimes I think they grow out of it and have to get used to being on their own some of the time.
I’ve been a vet tech/manager for 20 years and I’m glad I stumbled upon this channel, subbed!
Way better than Cesar Milan's video. Solid practical advice!! Thank you.
What’s wrong w Caesar’s method..? I haven’t seen it.
Most is 😂
Love the long distance dispenser. When we got our two lab puppies, we would toss broken up dog cookies around as we were leaving. Eventually, they couldn't wait for us to leave! They would just be snoozing when we got home.
hahahaha that is so cool! And so Lab-typical - I'm sure that breed could live without humans as long as they had food.
Really SOLID advice and description of how to do things for separation anxiety. Well done video.
Excellent guidance and patience. I had a dog with severe sep anx and it was heartbreaking. I had no clue. So grateful for videos like this so I can avoid these things with my puppy.
Thank you. I just got a new little doggie. He's only 1 years old and I want him to feel confident alone. He's a good boy and I can't wait to implement your methods. Thanks again. Your dog is adorable and wonderful by the way.
Thank you! Our rescue has extreme separation anxiety and this is the first time I’ve learned it’s an actual phobia. So many good tips here … thank you!!🤞
"Newman" I think that is the most creative name ever! I love that Carol!
Great advice and tips! Definitely plan to try putting Kong in crate with pup outside. Thanks for another great video to help manage my pup🐕
My dog goes everywhere with me. Almost. We went out to eat one evening. Left her in the house. Got home and she was on the front porch with blood everywhere. She broke a window to get out and cut inside of her leg. Took the vet putting in stitches.
When I go to my Dr I can take her and leave her in my Expedition while I go in. If I go during the summer when it's too hot she stays with my grandson. She loves him but if it's overnight she will be up all night. In the6 years she has been with me she has maybe 2 weeks away from me. Including the week she ran off and got caught and put in the pound. She lost a lot of weight during that week.
I've always wanted a husky, finally got one, and she is so perfect except for the screaming and crying whenever we leave. I'll take whatever advice I can right now ha. So far we can get her to sleep outside of our bedroom with our door cracked open a bit, some light on, and a podcast in the background. It doesn't help that I work from home!
My dog has separation anxiety when left alone in the house. We are create training and working on alone time in the crate. Next step is leaving him while we are out front vs in our room. He broke out of the crate 4 times so we switched gears and are putting him in other locations to create trained
Very well explained! Carole makes this subject clear and simple. Big help for me with my little dog!
This trainer covers A LOT of incidentals not covered or considered (crate sizes and possible collar entanglement etc, in other videos to address this very difficult to solve problem. The high value toy IN the crate and dog locked OUT is genius. Great distraction strategy.
Excellent video. This is the best video I ever seen regarding separation anxiety. It provided various situations and tips on how to deal with them. Great information. I love it. Thank you for your hard work and sharing this video with us.👍👏💐
The random spider jump cut was so uncalled for
I missed it 🤷🏻♀️
Lol!
keeps you on your toes
😂👍🫣
I found it helpful. If you felt anxious, they proved their point.
I have a Husky who follows me around the house. She is with me because the SPCA got her from another shelter. I'm fostering her. She has severe issues when she is alone.
This was so good Carol, I have been struggling with her crate anxiety, trying to figure out how I was going to work on it. Absolutely awesome video! Thank you😊
Not sure if you can add more chapters at this point or not, but I think the BIG Mistake part at 11:50 should have its own chapter. It's pretty important and gets a little lost in the Kong chapter.
This one was super helpful! I’m going to implement these things with my new puppy. Thank you so much!
Great video great show. Training dogs. Waking.
Thank you for this video. I was worried my puppy was developing separation anxiety but you have relieved some worry! I am working on alone time and apart from some minor whinging to begin with she usually settled. Thanks for putting my mind at ease
Thank you. This is really helping me figure out why Gary has started howling when I leave. He digs at the door after too. He’s literally owning me. I know about the key trick & honestly, this is a great idea; but once he starts getting that panicked “I’m abandoned OMG!” Look….I seriously can’t go anywhere unless it’s an absolute necessity. I’m sick & can’t work, so lucky for him - but when I have MRI’s & I’m gone for 3 hours; I have to take breaks to check in with him on his doggie camera & talk him through it. That seems to help; but seriously, it’s making me feel sicker. Terrier - yes, Gary is a blue heeler/JRT mix. He doesn’t pee or barf but it’s still actually stomach churning. Gary doesn’t crate, he’s free range at 11 months - he’s good with this. He will go to his bed & chill when he takes breaks from long, deep, sad howling with some barks. He has a doggie door to the yard, his Gary camera; yup treats & toys. He has his dog seat in my car; it sucks that there’s just some places I can’t take him. I usually take him on errands, but the second I go to leave to run into the store - LESS than 10 minutes; he now starts whining & barking. I get out & go around to his side of the car, give him a treat & toy & tell him “I’ll be right out.” I literally have to put on either Bob Marley or the sad Sarah Mcglochin song on. Lol he loves him some Sarah - seriously though I am EXHAUSTED!
Edit: wait, he doesn’t supervise you in the bathroom? I stepped in him getting out of the shower one day. I didn’t know he was in there! - yup the pheromone collar, yup the music, calming treats…..anxiety wrap? Maybe I’ll try this. Sort of like a weighted blanket I guess. If you met gary, you’d get why I’m about to vomit watching the dog camera footage. He’s the best dog in the universe ever. He’s saved my life. He’s the only thing keeping me alive at this point. People literally stop their cars when we are on walks…”oh my god! It’s Gary!” Me: “who the hell are you again?” - he’s a celebrity. He’s truly my little angel.
That peanut butter in the crate before the dog idea makes so much sense. One question - I can see my pup barking at the kong because she can't get to it. How would you deal with that?
Make it’s easier for her to get into the long maybe a larger desprender for her to start off then advance once she familiar with how to get it out . Hope that helps
Freeze canned dog/puppy food in the Kongs for a nutritional treat. Its a really nice summer treat!
These tips are so helpful and give so much direction! I can’t wait to try some of these things
Atlas definitely has separation anxiety, he drools and licks obsessively when we are gone and completely destroyed his wire kennel. We ended up having to get him an anxiety kennel after he tore up the carpet while we were gone. He never tears up anything while we are home. We have been working on what he thinks of the crate and feeding him at least one of his meals in the crate and that seems to be helping a little bit. I think I’m going to try taking a video of him while we are gone.
Is it better ? I have the same problem with my dog for weeks and I'm losing hope
We had to put our older dog to sleep this past summer. He mainly stayed in the kitchen along with our 8 yr old terrier. Now that he has been gone for about 5 months, our terrier that has always stayed in a crate while we are at work is having severe panic attacks while we are gone. Sometimes, this lasts for hours at a time. It's terrible to watch on the camera. He has been taking medication for the past 2 weeks. Hopefully, it starts to give him some relief soon. He stands in the enclosed area of the kitchen all night as soon as he realizes we are sleeping.
Pretty sad. I wish you good luck in getting him over his grief and loss.
My dog doesn’t care about toys, food, water. I’ve tried putting my used clothes in the crate, the kong toy but he’s too smart. He’s hyper focused on me and if he sees me leaving he’ll drop whatever he’s doing and follow me. Then when I’m out of the house he’ll yelp cry until I come home according to my roommate. I’ve resorted to taking him with me everywhere and have him in my car with the windows down while I work.
Sounds like mine
Can't wait to try this advice. Great video
My trainers and friends with dog businesses can't kennel her because she was captured twice before 1 yr then I showed up and adopted her, she's 2
You’re lucky that dog seems quite chill. I have a foster that will be distracted until the treats end in the crate and then he’ll chew his way out of the crate.
I have a 4 month old malshi, we left him alone for a few hrs once and had some doggy music on, he did great. he slept most of the time. but the last time we left him the music I guess didn't work on the TV so he howled the entire time. he had his bed, food, water and he's still not fully vaccinated so he had his potty pad.
Thank you for all the great info!
This was really helpful. Thanks!
My dog isn't food or toy motivated at all so this is significantly harder
Apparently, my dog just sleeps when I'm not around. Even if he is with someone he knows well.
He might be dead
Lucky you! I cannot go to the bathroom without my puppy 😩
@@daniel.shojaei mine just sits patiently at the door. The only thing he's bad with is not letting me sit on the couch. And God help me if I touch the Xbox controller. The only time he ever barks is at me when I'm not paying attention to him.
You explain it perfectly, fantastic video!
My rescue is a great service dog! But since she was captured by the shelter that had her. Her Vet said give her another year she's just two
I think some breeds behave better than others. Intelligence plays a large part too.. we have had dogs that we can close the door and think we have simply passed away. Other dogs who will watch out the window knowing we are right there. The smarter dogs knew we would come back.
Putting the Kong in the cage to distract and entice them is absolutely GENIUS!!
What do you do if you have multiple dogs? Do you have any videos to address this!
Thank you !!
My dog has separation anxiety. She drools, won’t eat treats of any kind, potty’s on the floor or crate. I don’t know what to do. We used a pet sitter last week and she was great. She just hates to be alone. Working on desensitizing her.
You are excellent! Thanks so much
Great info, thanks for taking the time to make these
Good info, thank you!
Love your video, thank you!
1st) Yes! My dog is terrified! I try to take him with me when possible and he gets terrified in the car too. Stares at floor with mouth open, looks like he will have a stroke.
At home he won't react normal to treats, just totally starts to panic.
I did recently get him from a shelter that he was surrendered (he would dig out).
He is the best. We have really bonded except when I occasionally have to get out with or without him.
Thanks for the suggestion of the video.
Could take months to adjust to his new home. Lucky him for getting you!
That toy is a Starmark Bob A Lot. I put Zukes Minis in it.
I'm struggling due to my dog not being treat motivated. She likes her kennel enough to go in and out on her own but when it comes to leaving, she doesnt want to go near the kennel. No amount of food or treats convinces her to go in. If i physically partially lay in her kennel i can sometimes convince her to join me, but thats about it.
My dog barks at anything that moves.
This is a great video. I'm gonna try this training with my Malshi that definitely has separation anxiety when he's left alone. He barks , shakes and he won't eat . He's not food motivated so not sure what I can give him to stop boredom .
How is it going?
If I put a high value treat or Kong inside his crate, he gets so wound up that he’ll find it hard to relax once he gets it. He’d get too frustrated. He even managed to unbolt the crate door to get to it. 🤦🏼♀️😂
What I noticed with mine is that he needs to have an awareness that I leave. If I distract him when I leave and he realises I’m gone once his distraction is finished, he gets a little worried. If he sees me leave, he sniffed at the door and then settles down. This has taken me and him a fair amount of time though. I’m on my own and it was tough at times.
Any tips on how you got him to settle once the kong is empty? Struggling 😅
Thank you. This will be great for leaving my dog at home. He isn't too bad when I leave for short periods of time. He is absolutely terrified of being left in my vehicle. He shakes constantly and has even vomitted. Any suggestions on how to deal with leaving him alone in my truck?
What if your dog isn't treat or food motivated? our pup is a pomapoo and 4 months old. I have to work in office two days a week for a few hours, so as you said, it breaks our progress of desensitization training. If i put her in the crate (where she feels most safe, i believe), she doesn't care about anything else (not even food), she is so fixated on me and my absence until i'm back. any further advice? :(
My 12 year old chihuahua has always been a momma’s boy, but in recent years it’s gotten a little worse. Things went majorly downhill when our 19yo LittleBit got put down this past June. Now Milo freaks out so bad when i leave the house, worse than I’ve ever seen him. Hoping some of this advice will work..
My puppy has very severe separation anxiety. I've used a kong since the beginning, stuffing it full of food and throwing it in the crate as I'm leaving. But because he's my first puppy, I made some mistakes (like leaving him alone too long too soon, and not giving him the stuffed kong at times when I'm not leaving as well) so he's come to associate all of the "good" things with me leaving. If I give him a stuffed kong and I'm not sitting on the couch where he can see me, he panicks because the kong equalled me leaving. I've tried to revert my mistakes by always leaving his Kong in the crate, and every now and then putting some food in it. When he gets carrot, it goes in his Kong. His dental sticks go in his Kong. His Kong gets filled with kibble and then put in his food bowl with the rest of his kibble at mealtimes. But so far it hasn't reversed this issue.
I've been working on desensiting keys and doors. I always tire him out before I leave. I've tried covering his crate (he pulls the covers in and chews them full of holes). I leave music on, then he started to panic everytime I played music even when I was home (this is how he started panicking when I was going in the shower because initially he didn't). So I tried podcasts so he hears people talking, they haven't worked either. I have tried pheromones and calming sprays and herbal solutions, but he always started associating the smells with me leaving. Putting the spray on him before taking him for a walk didn't help make it a positive association either. I've tried him in a big crate and in a small crate, I've tried him in the corner of the room, I've tried him at the side of the couch.
This video was really helpful, and I think setting up a life video feed and having a remote treat dispenser will have to be my next step, because I've tried everything else.
I wish I could go back in time to prevent all of his negative associations, but now I am left having to battle them.
If I take him for a long walk, including some training time, and playing time and am home, he will collapse and sleep for over an hour. But when I do that and then leave, he refuses to sleep and barks and howls the entire time. In fact, even when I'm home, he refuses to sleep if he isn't near me. If I stand up, he shoots awake. If his bed is on the left side of the coffee table and I'm sitting on the right side of the couch, he will come to lie on the floor in front of me. When I'm gone he'll eat his kibble in the bowl, but won't touch his Kong. He tips his water bowl all over the crate (after the second time I stopped leaving him with his water bowl). And then when I get home (since I got him, I've always completely ignored him and not made any fuss when leaving or coming back home) he gets overwhelmed at me being back and pees in his crate. If I've just had a great day, and I get home I have to deal with chaos and it just absorbs all my energy and all the positive feelings that I had from having a good day. He's such a well behaved dog when I'm home, on walks, in his puppy classes, on public transport, etc. But this separation anxiety is awful. He's also a little dog obsessed, so when other dogs leave (say we're the last ones to leave his puppy class and he's seen the others go through the door), he starts to show separation anxiety for them as well. When I stay at my parents, and I leave the room but my dad is still there with him, my puppy will get upset about me leaving and go lie against the door and won't play or move until I come back into the room. If my dad takes his dog for a walk and we stay home, he whines and gets really upset about my dad's dog leaving the room. I took him for a walk with my neighbour and her dog, but we only had time to do part of their walk, when it was time for me and puppy to turn around and head home without the other dog, he was upset and whining and turning around and tripping over himself the whole way back. I'd happily give up him being able to reliably bring a ball back if I could trade it for him not panicking when I, or a known dog, leave.
Mannnnn, i thought i had it bad but wow. Yourr going through ittttt. Hows your dog now?
@@Selahhhhhhhhhhh yeah it's really tough. A little while ago I had to do a food shop and left him two hours with so many toys and stuffed kong and a rabbit ear and he'd just had his first agility class so he was completely exhausted and when I came home after the shopping he had bitten his cage so much and pulled on it that 3 places he'd bent the wire out of shape. 2 of the places I managed to bend it back but the bit at the top is just a massive gap that won't bend back. I've been putting him in the yard recently because he seems calmer there and then I can sneak out the front door, it's okay for shorter periods but after 20 minutes he also has chewed my plants to pieces and managed to open the back door and let my cat outside. So it's hit and miss. We're supposed to be seeing a behaviourist later this month (really long waiting list) so hopefully they will be able to tailor some specific advice because everything I've found online and been adviced so far hasn't worked at all.
This is very good video
My landlord lives next door and has complained about my 7 year old chihuahua howling when I’m gone. I set up a camera and he basically howls almost nonstop. I had to get a bark collar but even though he’s quiet he’s still panicking. He screams and whines if I put him in the crate even though I’ve tried crate training for years. At least he doesn’t eat the carpet anymore. I was taking him to work at dog daycare with me but it seems like it’s actually making his anxiety worse so I’m thinking of getting a pet sitter but it’s so expensive. I hope we can work together and get him more comfortable!
My dog freaks out when any of the three of us leave the living room. If one person goes to the kitchen to make dinner she barks the whole time. I know when I go to work she’s barking the whole time and it breaks my heart. I’m having trouble getting any time away from her.
My dog came like this since she was three months old. She demanded the Vet get her out of the cage.
I’m not doing this. I started leaving her for an hour at a time. She’s gotten much better. I don’t play into animal or toddler’s fear bc it then teaches them they have a reason to fear
So many dogs aren’t exercised and people expect them to behave. Just like children, they need mental and physical challenges or they WILL get into trouble or be a pain in the arse
Put head phone on and turn up the sound and leave dog anyway. Do not go back until she is quiet. Every time you go back she is being told she is the boss. If she has been exercised fed tired out for potty, then set an alarm and start with five min. Go put a load of clothes in and leave her. When you go back into room, DON’T acknowledge her. Only acknowledge good behavior. We send messages we’re not realizing. Not stating it’s us that caused it, but we often times play into it. If they feel our calmness when they react like this, they will become comfortable with you leaving. You know you’re coming bk, so don’t give her conditioned response. We’re supposed to send out confidential body language so they may read a different vibe from us. Hope this helos
I know I'm months late, but I have a newly adopted pup who follows everyone no matter what. He's always under and on my feet and struggles to be left alone in his crate for not even a minute. I have his crate covered, tv on, his favorite toys and high value treats and just nothing. At night he's much better, just a few whimpers but eventually gives in and sleeps. However, during the day, he is practically screaming (I always exercise BEFORE having him lay down for a nap). He will not focus on anything but us as soon as we move. What can I do to help him understand it's ok?
How old is your pup ?
@@PrettyGoodLookin he's 14 weeks now
@@topazthelycanroc8522 I took my dog off kibble and everything got better. Behavior, anxiety, scratching, etc. Also, I tell my dog when I'm leaving without her and when I'm " going to the store " with her. My dog understands. I say " I'm leaving " while I point to myself...and point to the door and then i say " and you're staying " and I point to the ground. I do this twice. My dog understands...and she wont try to leave with me.
@@topazthelycanroc8522 Then, If I am going to take my dog with me in the car..I say " Were going to the store " and I gesture by pointing to myself and to her..back and forth. So, my dog knows words and knows what is happening. Dogs know up to 250 words if you train them by talking to them.
@@topazthelycanroc8522 When I tell my dog I'm leaving...i am not near the door...I'm in my recliner or wherever...but i stop and say " look at me " and then I start with ...the words...then I point in the direction of the door.... i think in the beginning tho my dog didn't understand and we were having the discussion at the door area. Now, my dog understands what i am saying even if i'm in the back room.
Our foster dog has separation anxiety and this was so helpful. Trying to prevent the barking during the day (for our neighbors sake) by speaking to him over the camera. Is this reinforcing his anxiety or helping? Sometimes he quiets down and goes back to sleep
I tried so hard to do this. He smelled the Kong and wanted it but when I open the crate, he go in. So I put him in so he could have the kong. I was still in the room walking around - instead of having the Kong, he cried and barked while I was still in the room.
At that point I ignored him till he was quiet before I can let him out. It maybe a while. I feel like I made the experience bad and now I don’t know what to do ☹️
I've tried many of these tatics and poured several thousand dollars in training to help train my dog out of her separation anxiety. I put so much time into her everyday. Its been a year and we've only made a dent in her issues. At this point I needed to live my life. I care about my dog but trying to take on the responsibility of helping her overcome trauma and fear is looking like a ridiculous and stressful venture.
Didn't you hear her "it's not easy" and after a year and you're being honest about how much you're working on the problem, reassess, you're missing something that your dog needs. Set your camera up to film you and your dog's behaviour when you are preparing to go out, and analyse, right down to the smallest detail. Good luck, keep at it.
I got what I thought was the perfect dog. They re-homed the dog to us and I was like why would they get rid of such a sweetheart? Come to found out when we left her alone for the first time she peed all over the house and barked without stop. So we leave her in the crate and she pees in her crate when we leave her. I'm really irritated with the people for minimizing any problems.
Herar ya, but my foster dog truely has seperation anxiety. She is not bored, she does not bark. Her whole body shakes and she starts having panic attacks...tongue hanging out, yes drooling. I come back... after even just 20 minutes and she is trembeling, thirsty. I do not give rewards when I enter, like pets or such. She was fantic. She must lay down ..to calm herself, she needs to self soothe. She is never allowed on furnature and has her own beds. I made a cave bed for her too. When I leave, It is fear. She is a well behaved dog, but in that anxiety state she has clawed up doors. It is the same behavior she shows when she hears fireworks. No thunder shirts and calming chews do not work. She is a soundless dog untill I leave then it is just wimpering and panting the whole time. How do I know, we have a camera recording her. She is now 4. I work from home. And no the kong toy with frozen peanut butter did not work either.
My dog wants to follow me everywhere! Can't go anywhere without her at my feet! It's constantl I put her in a kennel where she eats, but as soon as she is done, she wants out. She wines and barks.
Does this video apply to puppies? How do you know what is normal for a 3 month old puppy? Everytime I leave he goes insane and starts whining, crying, and howling like he's being tortured. I've had him 1 week. All his needs are being met. Food, water, toys, play time, lots of exercise and walks. He is also fearful of a lot of noises (especially airplanes, cars, trains etc) and runs away when I try to pet him and scoots away when I try to pet him. The rescue got him when he was 5 weeks of off the streets. Once I grab him he is loveable and sweet. He plays well. Before he came to me, he was in a house of 9 dogs (including his brother) and they all loved each other... they played constantly. Now, he is in a home with no dogs and only us humans. What shpuld my approach be here? I never give into his whines as much as it is sad. I don't want him to think I will come running everytime. Thanks
My new guy has that. His pupils dilate. He shredded his muzzle, his paw, and bit his tongue. I want this to work so badly. He came from a very traumatizing situation. He also vomited.
Is there a video on the dos and don'ts to prevent separation anxiety?
How do you facetime your dog if no one is home to accept the call?
You set up the Facetime before you leave - you call yourself from the device prior to walking out the door.
I came across this video to look a solution to my 12 weeks Cockapoo. He whines/barking crazily when I'm out of his sight. Even if my wife or daughter still in the room, he still barks until I come back. Would you say he has separation anxiety just with me?
I have a 11 week cockapoo and am going through this now. I can't even go to the toilet, how did you sort it please?
I leave a bunch of treat puzzles, snuffle mats, treat filled kong and lick mats and while she's busy I sneak out and then she goes in her crate and goes to sleep when she realizes I'm gone.
My dog has figured out how to open his crate.
I always leave, without making a fuss. At first 10 minutes, then 20 , then come back without making a fuss, as if I just saw them. Now, when I come back they are sound asleep. It wasn’t difficult at all.
Very nice channel, i learned a lot about dogs, i am a new owner and i need some advices about training Jack Russell Terrier. She is just a 4 months old, not really interested in food so it's really complicated to have her interested and focused. Any advices?
There’s no way my dog will go into his crate willingly. If he goes in, he will get very aggressive and try to bite when you try to shut the door to the crate. His previous owner kept him locked in that crate for hours on end.
Make sure the dog has been exercised before you leave them and if you dont have time, ensure that someone else can walk them. That way they are much calmer since they will have exercised. You can't leave a dog in a crate for long periods either...have someone go in and exercise them. Dogs are intelligent, particularly border collies and need brain stimulation, lots of exercise and play. I'd go stir crazy kept in a confined space for too long so why do it to a pet..as humans we think they should be fine with it yet we wouldn't crate a kid or ourselves. Great for certain situations and for puppies but not not for long periods of time. If your lifestyle doesn't allow much time for the dog other than of an evening, wait until you do have time or ensure there's someone to break up the day to give it company. Dogs are pack animals after all.
Hi Carol!! My puppy Hudson (chihauhua spaniel mix) is 5 months old and we are dealing with heavy separation anxiety! He howls non stop whenever I leave (in his crate, in a penned area, or free roaming). Last week he howled for 3 hours straight till I got home.
I’ll admit it’s my fault, I didn’t leave him alone nearly close to enough from the day I brought him home!! He is very well behaved, nondestructive and great at asking to go outside to use the bathroom which is why I let him roam free in the house since day 1.
I am now trying to curb this anxiety by getting him a penned off area in the living room and plan to cut away his free roaming capabilities. My thinking is this will help him be more comfortable when I leave since he will be in there for hours at a time when I am home as well!
Would love any feedback or correction/alternatives to this plan!
My female cannot be crated due to improper use by her previous owner. She is getting worse as time goes by. Her died 3.5 years ago and he worked from home so was there all day. Got worse when her fur brother died 1.5 years ago. Have tried everything and have taken her to the Vet. She barks, howls and paces for hours while defacating. It so sad. I have tried a Thunder Shirt, CBD treats, anti anxiety treats and prescription meds from Vet. Also leave the TV or radio on for her.
Have also tried Kongs with treats and peanut butter in them. Have also hid treats around the room, she's done with all that in a few minutes.
I have a basenji . Her problem is note her crate at home , but the crate in my car /van.She destroys her harnas by biting on the straps . And past winter she wore a jacket . Not excactly a thundershirt but she also did bite everything on pieces . It is a very good idea to video a session but i don't not how to fix this in my van . Face timing : splendid idea : can you explain how to do that technically ? thanks very much for your very excellent explanation - Simonne - Belgium
This is an awesome video! I'm having a very specific problem seperating my two dogs for walks (one is reactive, the other fearful, so I walk them seperately for training purposes). I can leave them both home alone and they're fine, and I can take one downstairs or to other parts of the house for training and leave the other and they're fine, but if I take one dog for a walk and leave the other, the other dog loses it completely. I feel like its more about being extremely jealous (because they want to go for a walk at the same time) than true seperation anxiety, but they both get extremely worked up when they're left and bark or howl their heads off. I can't seem to find any information anywhere about this kind of problem, but I'm sure I'm not the only one dealing with it. Sure would love some ideas on how to help them feel more comfortable with being seperated and waiting their turn for walks! 😥
my sister's Frenchie cries horribly, a terrible whine and tears streaming down and body shaking. our neighbors called the police because they thought someone was being abused. he is now on trazodone and has seen one behaviouralist and it hasn't gotten better or worse. my sister is often away and comes back and makes him unlearn everything. it's frustrating because she refuses to cooperate or give him to someone else. i feel horrible, i don't know what to do
Does anyone know who makes that purple/green/yellow kibble dispenser in the video? Is that also made by Kong? I can’t seem to find it. Ty!
Starmark's
Bobs A Lot.
It's by Starmark - the Bob-A-Lot
what are some options if our puppy is not very food motivated? He seems to be only motivated by being with my partner (the primary attachment)
My dog, uses teeth to shake the cage to get out (causes some bleeding on his gums), drools puddles, barks, howls, pants. He doesn’t stop to the point my neighbors here and 6 month of trying to train him and it doesn’t work.
💟
When I'm sitting here in the house sometimes they'll be a loud motorcycle that pops or a loud car that has dual pipes or whatever making a lot of noise and she'll jump down off her bed and and really scared so how can I get her over that
I tried the hormon stuff....didnt do a didn't ..did try.the.wrap...inwas trying to keep.a hyper.dog.calm during heart.worm treatment
My dog barks slobber everywhere and poops every time even if he poops before I leave. He hates the crate and the idea of coming home to a dog covered in poop or a house covered in it is not worth even going out. I have to get someone to stay or take him with me. I have two other dogs that have no issues and he is the youngest. He was also sick as a puppy and has had to be rushed to the vet for aspiration and another time he blew up with allergies to a bite.
He’s also a bull dog and his barking and anxiety concerns me he gets so stressed
My boyfriend's dog is 4 years old, and seems to have seperation anxiety. He sits by the window for a long time after we leave, we're told that he sits in my boyfriend's room for hours, howling, if we go away for a weekend.
We're told that he usually doesnt eat if we're not home, and then if he starves himself all day, and my boyfriend gets home, he will eat his food too fast and then throw up.
When we get home, he spends several minutes jumping up and down and squealing/whining, jumping on us, running around our legs etc. He doesnt just seem happy to see us, it almost seems like he was crying of relief that we didnt die while we were out lol.
He also wakes my boyfriend up every night to go outside, so he never gets a full night's sleep.
Is this normal? Is there a way to train him out of this behaviour so late in life?