Reddit reviews I'll be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety.
We found 28 Reddit comments about I'll be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety.. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Used Book in Good Condition
So first thing is first - any adversive methods such as a vibrating collar with a dog that has fear or anxiety is only going to backfire and promote more fear or anxiety. I would ditch that. You're potentially causing more behavior issues when it's used. Dog learns to hide fear rather than teaching the dog confidence.
So you have a dog that is likely reactive and fearful - and a lot of anxiety. So before we can get to work mode, we need to address the causes of the anxiety and get the dog back to neutral. So first thing, you might want to try doing a two week shut down with this dog. https://www.marshmallowfoundation.org/info/file?file=20866.pdf This is to remove all the stimuli that can keep causing stress levels to be high. Adrenaline - when it spikes up during a moment of fear or panic can take over 6 days for the hormone levels to return to normal. It's great that the dog is food motivated because that is going to make things like counter conditioning to specific things much easier... but right now - stress is so high, your dog cannot focus let alone retain the cues you're training. Dog is in fight or flight mode... So give the two week shut down an effort.
Meanwhile, you want to write down all the things this dog is reacting to... if it's potentially separation anxiety, check the links I provided below. Anything else, you're going to want to work on each thing separately using desensitization and counter conditioning. Again, we're trying to bring the fearful dog to a neutral place... work on building confidence and associating the list of stimuli with positive rewards. Any negative behaviors - redirect.... either remove the stimuli or remove the dog. Reinforce calm relaxed behaviors.
https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/comments/48sglg/discussion_separation_anxiety/ has some great info that you may find useful.
Do take a glance over at /r/reactivedogs They have lots of helpful advice on how to manage some of these behaviors.
Some books that may help:
The Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell
I’ll be Home soon by Patricia McConnell
Don’t Leave Me by Nicole Wilde
If after that two week shut down and working a bit you still feel a bit overwhelmed, it might be a good consideration to work with a certified animal behaviorist. https://avsab.org/resources/speakers-bureau/behavior-consultants-near-you/ and https://iaabc.org/consultants are great searches for one.
> I say possibly good news because Ive read ALOT that companion animals definitley help with Separation Anxiety dogs.
This is only true for a very small percent of SA dogs. It might mask some of the outward signs, but it is by no means a cure for SA. Further, if your dog is uncomfortable with the other dogs, I highly doubt that it would help. And even if it does seem to mask some of this dog's symptoms, what if your roommates decide to take their dogs on a walk/vacation/to the vet, and your dog needs to be left alone? He still has SA.
As far as "success stories," we've been working on desensitizing my dog to being home alone for 6 months. We're currently at 35 min max time home alone. This doesn't sound like success story unless you've lived it, but it's a pretty typical trajectory for separation anxiety treatment. I think our success story is really that I haven't gone completely insane yet...Our dog goes to daycare daily while we work, and it's not cheap. His SA has put a huge damper on my social life, we take the dog with us everywhere, and he spends a lot of time in the car.
I'm not saying that you should or shouldn't get this dog, but I would definitely think about whether or not you have the time, patience, sanity, and finances needed to help a dog with SA. If you do adopt, or even prior to adoption, I would immediately pick up a copy of Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs, I'll Be Home Soon, and Don't leave me!
Reactivity is its own beast, and u/ASleepandAForgetting tackled that issue well in their (edited to remove gender, I apologize!) comment.
I also dealt with a dog with pretty bad separation anxiety. Here are the steps I took.
Between the crate training, kongs and the routine, we now have a very nicely behaved pup when we are out of the house. He remains very calm as we leave (he used to freak out and whine every day) and is far more relaxed when we get home.
The key thing here is time and consistency. Best of luck!
From the wiki:
I'll Be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety by Patricia McConnell
Well worth the read IMO. You will quickly learn you need to take much smaller steps to ease the anxiety.
My rescue dog had/has separation anxiety. This book helped me. Also, having another pet really helped my pup. I got a cat and he was better. Some animals just don't want to be alone.
You're totally right to start working on this now. Not only is stress hard on dogs, but any issues are likely to get worse if they aren't addressed.
I'd suggest this book: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/1891767054/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502470638&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=ill+be+home+soon
It's exactly the protocol I have my clients follow.
You could read this. She's a literal expert and while I haven't read this book yet I've read a couple others and I think she's a great resource.
Since you have trazadone I'm going to assume you have already talked to your veterinarian about your dog's anxiety. If that is not the case, please discuss it with your vet.
The behaviorists are pricy, but they're an excellent resource and worth the money. I'd definitely stick with either a Veterinary Behaviorist or an Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist over a regular trainer, anybody can call themselves a trainer while CAABs and VBs have tons of education and experience. They can tailor advice to your specific dog and your specific household in a way a book or video cannot.
I am by no means an expert (I'm a vet tech at a general-practice clinic) but my go-to recommendations for behavior books are Decoding Your Dog by the American College of Veterinary behaviorists, (it has a chapter on house training and a chapter on separation anxiety) and The Other End of the Leash (it's about understanding dogs and how they think rather than specific issues) by Patricia McConnell. Patricia McConnell also has books (booklets? they're short) about anxiety and separation anxiety. I've never read the booklets, but she's a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist with a Ph.D, so they're probably a better resource than random internet sites even if they're not as helpful as an in-person consultation with a behaviorist.
Depending on how old the puppy is and how long they have had him, it's normal. However, that many solid hours of crying / whining etc isn't good and sounds like the pup needs to start training with alone time.
I'd recommend this book - https://www.amazon.ca/Ill-Be-Home-Soon-Separation/dp/1891767054
There's also some good online resources such as
https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/home-alone-0
Some basic tips for them would be give the pup a good walk or playtime directly before leaving him. Leave him with something to occupy him such as a stuffed king and / or toys. Put music on or leave the TV on low. They also need to build up the alone time, leaving him for 7 hours straight is too much at first.
Separation anxiety is an over-used term. Patricia McConnell wrote a book on how to diagnose and work on it.
The Manners Minder is a way of reinforcing the dog when you're out of eyesight. It's a little expensive, but it'll help a lot (provided you use it correctly).
At home agility training and/or scent training is a good addition to long walks because it provides mental stimulation as well.
At 10 weeks old it's not separation anxiety, it's totally normal puppy behavior. At that age his instincts tell him being alone isn't safe.
I'd suggest getting some books on how to prevent separation anxiety and doing some exercises with him, but mainly - DON'T act like coming home is fun or exciting. It's relaxing and calm. YOU can't be excited or nervous about coming or going, or puppy will learn that coming and going are scary.
When you come home calmly ignore puppy until they've settled, and then calmly let them out of their crate or pen. It's no big deal, just a normal thing.
Being left alone is also fine. Make sure they have a chew bone and a few toys, or scatter some kibble for them to hunt for, but it's not something to worry about.
Here's the two books I like best for separation anxiety:
https://www.amazon.com/Ill-Home-Soon-Separation-Anxiety/dp/1891767054/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4G7DWA5GFLFO&keywords=i%27ll+be+home+soon+by+patricia+mcconnell&qid=1570649960&sprefix=i%27ll+be+home+soon%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/Leave-Step-Step-Separation-Anxiety/dp/0981722733/ref=sr_1_2?crid=4G7DWA5GFLFO&keywords=i%27ll+be+home+soon+by+patricia+mcconnell&qid=1570649975&sprefix=i%27ll+be+home+soon%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-2
This has all the protocols you'll need to have your dog be comfortable at home without you.
I have a very neurotic/anxious dog and the best thing I can suggest is time. She was on clomicalm (dog prozac) for 2 years. We tried crating her at first but she kept making her nose bleed by trying to shove it through the wires. So for the first few months we didn't crate her at all, but left her in the bathroom. She scratched the hell out of the door, but oh well. When we were home we tried to get her used to the crate (putting treats in the crate and letting her get them out, then putting her in the crate for increasing amounts of time while we were home, then finally leaving her in the crate while we ran a short errand...etc).
These books (I'll be home soon and Don't leave me) were extremely helpful.
Eventually we were able to crate her full time (a friend who works nearby let her out at lunch). She never liked the crate like some dogs do. Sometimes she would go in when we told her "Ok time to get in your crate." Sometimes we had to put her in there. Everytime she gave us the most pitiful look. For a while she would poop in the crate (out of anxiety, she was house trained) and we would have to clean the crate everyday (and I'd rather her poop in there than injure herself). But eventually that stopped. Suffice to say she never liked the crate, but she didn't injure herself.
Now she roams free during the day (we did it similar to how she was crated...first for short periods, then longer) and she does fine with it.
Separation anxiety is so difficult and frustrating. Just keep at it and keep trying. It's a long process and there's no 100% fix. Just patience (and love, at the risk of sounding corny). Try to introduce him to the crate slowly. Even if he doesn't like the crate, he can learn to tolerate it. And definitely get help from a behaviorist if you're able. We didn't go so far as hiring one, but I went to a few free "anxious dogs" seminars given by a behaviorist that were sponsored by a local dog rescue (where I was recommended the books above) and it gave me a lot of insight.
Hang in there and don't give up!
Currently dealing with separation anxiety for my own dog... We've been using Patricia McConnell's book (http://www.amazon.com/Ill-Home-Soon-Separation-Anxiety/dp/1891767054).
Progress has been a little bit slow, but I think it's starting to help...
Thanks for the thoughtful response. We have considered day care but the last and only time we boarded him the owner charged us extra for having a high maintenance dog and said he has "severe separation anxiety". She told us to read this book . Although, we might try again. He does well when he's around other dogs.
The book is where we got that food technique. I give him his meal, say bye and leave the home. I re-enter, say hello and take his bowl early. Then repeat. It's not really helping. He's just learning to eat faster.
I love the weekend training idea and think that could produce results. As for the barking, I tried something new this morning. We did a training session where I would treat quiet and sitting behavior while standing just outside the front door. If he was quiet and sitting then I would open the door and give him kibble. I am only worried this will reinforce him heavily anticipating our return to the house. Thoughts?
Hey there! I would recommend you check out Dr. McConnell's book on separation anxiety. It is a short read and available from Amazon for $5. It can take a bit of work and several weeks, but it is well worth it. You can consider using your CleverPet Hub to keep them busy once your departure does not bring them over-threshold. Here is where you can find the book: https://www.amazon.com/Ill-Home-Soon-Separation-Anxiety/dp/1891767054/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1506700688&sr=8-3&keywords=separation+anxiety+dog+book
It's not uncommon for newly retired greyhounds to have separation anxiety. They're never alone in the racing kennels. They've been torn from everything that's familiar and put somewhere unfamiliar and likely all by himself for periods of time. (Most of us have to work or go to school.) This is a very good (small) book that gives you steps to teach your grey how to tolerate being home alone: https://www.amazon.com/Ill-Home-Soon-Separation-Anxiety/dp/1891767054
Getting a trainer may be helpful, but honestly, you're already doing a lot of good things. SA can take a lot of time and patience to work through. I remember it took my dog months to work through it, and it helped to leave the tv on while we were gone (something soft, soothing, and droning, like talk shows or a shopping channel). Medication might be a next step, or at least a way to help mitigate the effects until training takes hold. It's worth asking your vet about.
I'll Be Home Soon by Patricia McConnell is a good book on SA.
Ugh, that's hard. Have you tried food (especially wet, smelly food) instead of toys/chews? It could be a little more irresistible and buy you some time. The best guide I know for separation anxiety is Patricia McConnell's I'll Be Home Soon. It's been a long time since I've read it, but I think she recommends something similar - lots of practice leaving, just for a couple of seconds, building up to longer and longer.
My dog had pretty bad separation anxiety when I got her - wouldn't let me out of her sight, threw herself at the blinds/door/whatever, constant whining and barking, but a lot of it faded naturally within about a month. I think a lot of rescues have this issue at first, but if it gets worse, or if she's going to hurt herself (not just eating blankets, but chewing her own paws or chewing metal crate bars), she might need medication in order to cope.
Its hard to say specifics without knowing the exact situation, but I fostered a hound with separation anxiety and I found the book I'll Be Home Soon very helpful.
Have you only had him for 2 months? He could be just getting comfortable enough to be showing separation anxiety. Even if it is not the cause, going through exercises to help with SA could be beneficial for him.
The book "I'll be home soon" by Patricia McConnell is a great resource.
Sorry for the delayed response! Our aussie was only destructive if he was left outside, and trying to get back inside. He's inside with use when we're home, and I think his anxiety was worse by not being in his comfortable place (inside). The two biggest things for us were getting him plenty of exercise, and also training him to be alone and be happy.
For separation anxiety, theres a good book that's cheap on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Ill-Home-Soon-Separation-Anxiety/dp/1891767054/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1539894781&sr=8-7&keywords=separation+anxiety+book
We followed this to the letter for about a month and made amazing progress. Now that it's been about 6 months we still give him a kong every time we leave, but for the most part he's ok being alone. Having a camera to check in on him while we're gone was also critical leading up to the longer durations of being alone as well. I'd say it took a solid 3 months before we could comfortably leave the house for 2-3 hours and leave the dog alone and not worry about him. We also bring him to doggy day care about once a week which helps with his energy levels.
Can you afford to put him in daycare everyday while you work on the separation anxiety? Then practice "fake" leaving and your leaving routine to get him OK with you getting ready and leaving for a very short amount of time.
This book is really helpful for pups with separation anxiety and is a very short read.
SA isn't a two week problem to fix. It's consistent little steps done over a long time. For reference, it took Tesla about a year and a half for us to be able to leave her alone. It's fixable over time, but it may need to be tied to medication.
If you intend to work on this, the book I'll be home Soon is a good reference point. How is she with you just out of sight, but still at home? If that's not okay, you need to be dialing wayyyy back.
Not everyone is cut out for a long term project. Don't feel guilty about returning her if you can't handle the long road to fixing SA. Some prey drive can be overcome but she may never be safe with cats, but it is hard to know. Just be honest with yourself and what you can handle. Don't let her story dictate your decision. You want to be happy and stress free so you can give your dog a happy and stress free home (and your cats).
Is she the only dog? She's never been alone before.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dogtraining/wiki/separationanxiety
Your placement rep should have some very good advice for you as well as other resource people in you adoption group.
This book by Patricia McConnell is often recommended for separation anxiety.
This one by Malena Demartini-Price is also often recommended.
It's not a matter of trust; don't make this into a personal thing. It's not because of my ego or whatever that I bring this up and it's not because of my credentials that you should believe me. All you had to do was Google "isolation distress" to realize that that's not a term I made up and is widely used among dog training and behavior professionals. And, again, it's a commonly ill-defined term. I'm not saying you in particular are extraordinarily confused or that you didn't pick up the definition from a professional.
Since you seem to love credentials, here is what Pat Miller (one of the world's leading dog trainers and behavior consultants) has to say in Whole Dog Journal:
> The distinction between “isolation” and “separation” is equally important. Isolation distress means the dog doesn’t want to be left alone - any ol’ human will do for company, and sometimes even another dog will fill the bill. True separation distress or anxiety means the dog is hyper-bonded to one specific person, and continues to show stress behaviors if that person is absent, even if other humans or dogs are present.
Patricia McConnell's book on separation anxiety, "I'll be Home Soon", also addresses this difference although this particular resource is not available for free. Again, since you love credentials, Dr. McConnell is a CAAB and one of the foremost experts in her field of ethology (the study of animal behavior).
Anyway, I don't want to go on about this because it's not relevant to OP's thread, but just consider why you're being bullheaded about this. If somebody presents you with information you didn't previously have, maybe you could think about it for a second before snapping back, "No, you're definitely wrong; I've worked with a behaviorist before thankyouverymuch."
Better resource:
I'll Be Home Soon by Patricia McConnell
Check out Patricia McConnell's "I'll Be Home Soon" booklet. http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/store/I-ll-Be-Home-Soon.html
It's $8. As a trainer, I love Patricia McConnell because she is so clear and easy to understand. Give the book a try, you won't regret it and your pup will be so much happier.
I also found it for $3 used on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Ill-Home-Soon-Separation-Anxiety/dp/1891767054/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371008865&sr=8-1&keywords=patricia+mcconnell+ill+be+home+soon