[Icingss]

Hi all,
Miki is 1.1/2 now, I’ve had her since she was a pup
I’m pretty sure she suffers from separation anxiety. I leave her with a meaty bone pretty much every day when I collect the kids from school (about an hour). She isn’t fussed when I proceed with my leaving ritual (getting my keys and coat on etc) although she likes to follow me around before I leave. When I walk out the door it’s all good too. No problem.
The issue is when I leave the house entirely, if you know what I mean. We have a window on our front door, and she struggles to tolerate being left once my shadow disappears I think.
I left to run a 10 minute errand today, and didn’t leave her a bone, but left her some tasty things in her food bowl instead. I also recorded the audio from when I left, and she cried for 10 minutes straight, although it began to ease off after 5mins. She’s happy to be by herself when she knows people are in the house somewhere (and when she’s not confined...). She doesn’t become vocal when I leave her with a bone either, but I’m not sure about if that keeps her quiet for the full time I am away.

I’m applying for jobs now and planning to move out from my parent’s with her ASAP, so I plan to leave her home alone for up to 4 hours max at a time when all that is sorted if we can overcome this! I know this is a pretty common problem.
Does anybody have any success stories or similar experiences? Thank you!?

 

[Sunflowers]

Look at her, how she focuses on you! Adorable, the two of you!
I was told, when my puppy was little and did the same thing, that the cure for separation anxiety is more separation. What I would do is start now, leave her alone for longer and longer periods of time, adding 10 minutes each time.
Also, exercise her before, so she will be tired and sleep. Leave Kongs, frozen and stuffed with goodies for her to enjoy. If you are worried, video cameras are pretty inexpensive nowadays and you can check in and see what she is doing while you are at work. Good luck with your endeavors.

 

[Icingss]

Aww thank you so much for your compliment! Yes... some separation training is definitely due. Thanks for your reply

 

[Blu_and_Redd]

Aww...Miki is beautiful. :wub:
When I leave for an extended period of time (no more than 4 hours), I leave Blu in her crate with some toys and some treats. We would've had some play time by then so she is always ready to chill in her crate by the time I'm ready to go run my errands. When I get back, I let her out and we have lots of cuddle time.

 

[Icingss]

Yes isn't she lovely! Yes I might try leaving her in her crate tomorrow with a bone or something when I go out, just for a few mins. She gets pretty worked up if she hears the door go but she might be a little more relaxed if she doesn't have to watch me leave.
The other day I left treats all around the house and set up my iPhone camera by the door. I was out for an hour and all good! Although she came to check the door often. When I got back all the hidden treats were missing! success! x

 

[Icingss]

Man... what a day.
It turns out Miki barks non stop when I leave her. I went out for 4hrs the other day. I feel really terrible! I guess I was moving too fast. We'll be using daycare again and go back to basics training-wise. Any words of comfort/advice? Thanks x

 

[Nscullin]

Man... what a day.
It turns out Miki barks non stop when I leave her. I went out for 4hrs the other day. I feel really terrible! I guess I was moving too fast. We'll be using daycare again and go back to basics training-wise. Any words of comfort/advice? Thanks x

Have you tried crating at all? Or is she left out?


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[Icingss]

Yeah I leave her out! She likes her crate but goes absolutely ballistic if I look like I'm about to leave. I think I'll start working on desensitising her to her triggers while she's crated. I have to do something if I'm to stay in all day?x

 

[GSDchoice]

Hmm I feel like I've written this before so forgive me if I have...
But have you started with the "go out to mailbox and get mail, come back" and then the "go take out trash and come back" working up to the "go to grocery, buy milk and a few things, come back"? And for the longer outings, leave a Kong filled with a bit of something tasty (like a smear of Peanut Butter). Anyway the gradual longer and longer times seemed to work for my dog - I work from home, but I regularly leave him for 4-5 hours at a stretch without drama now.

And the timing...it's good to go after your dog has had a long walk, they will be relaxed/drowsy and less likely to freak out while you're out.

( My dog seems to need a I'm Going Out Now cue - I tell him to "stay stay" and put my hand in a Stop position when he follows me to the door. If for some reason I forget to do that, I come home and he's very anxious and he scolds/howls at me! It's like he is saying, "I didn't know where you went!?!" So for me at least, being very obvious and structured about Leaving, seems comforting to him. )

 

[Dunkirk]

What's your attitude when you go? When Nitro was younger he started to get upset when I left. My son, his favourite person, was at home so my internal dialogue/attitude was "Knock it off! You're ok". Taking a no nonsense, matter of fact approach, and the verbal cue "See ya later!" instead of mentally 'buying into' his emotion fixed the problem for me. Hope this helps

 

[car2ner]

Sometimes it is best if we are completely no nonsense about it. Going out and coming in are no big deal, no huge ceremony, no "be a good dog while I am gone". Sometimes I take my dog on a ride to an errand and then sit with them in the car, while someone else goes in and gets the errand done. I want my dogs to understand, at least a little, that not all trips go to the park. I'm not leaving them behind to have a wonderful adventure without them. Sometimes leaving the house means going someplace boring.
SA is tough. I had a small dog that had it. She was a rescue. My daughter in law, one of her dogs is dealing with it. Try stuff for a week or so and it it doesn't work, tweek it or try something else. And then share what works!

 

[OldStyleSavage]

Man... what a day.
It turns out Miki barks non stop when I leave her. I went out for 4hrs the other day. I feel really terrible! I guess I was moving too fast. We'll be using daycare again and go back to basics training-wise. Any words of comfort/advice? Thanks x

As @car2ner mentioned above, DO NOT make a big deal when leaving OR arriving.

I am with my dog almost 24/7 and when I have to go somewhere without him this is what I do and have done since he was a puppy:

I get ready for wherever I am going and if my boy follows me around the house I put him in a "place command" so he isn't a nuisance. I proceed to get my stuff together and place a few treats around such as a stuffed kong.

When I am ready to go, I stand by the door and give him the "free" command, tell him to "guard" and I leave. No goodbyes... no emotion...no big deal.

When I arrive, I DO NOT pet or praise... sometimes, I'll announce "it's just me" when I first open the door but I will ignore him and continue to do whatever I'm doing... this usually being, unloading items from the truck and putting things away.

Once everything is put away, and my boy is relaxed, then I give lots of praise, hugs, kisses, etc.

Four hours for a German Shepherd should be nothing. DO NOT feel terrible (I know you do, but that is something you need to work on IMO) because the dog senses that and it only makes things worse.

I am assuming that your dog isn't destroying the house when you are gone. If that is the case, just be a strong leader, and do what you have to do, and don't coddle her.

If you are consistent, this will not be a big deal.

 

[Icingss]

Hi guys, long time no talk. So... you reckon I should just leave her? Obvs not for too long - like I need to go out for 2 hrs on Thursday. She is not destructive, just very noisy! I don’t think it’s right to leave her in a distressed state for a long time. In the end, I don’t want to be relying on others to look after my dog though! I’m continuing training and following all your tips, so thank you everybody. I feel like I’m not seeing much progress, but also I’m not really progressing our training I feel. My family is dead set on leaving her alone, even for a short time which makes it difficult for us to progress
I’d appreciate any more support! Thanks everyone.

 

[Icingss]

Hi guys, long time no talk. So... you reckon I should just leave her? Obvs not for too long - like I need to go out for 2 hrs on Thursday. She is not destructive, just very noisy! I don’t think it’s right to leave her in a distressed state for a long time. In the end, I don’t want to be relying on others to look after my dog though! I’m continuing training and following all your tips, so thank you everybody. I feel like I’m not seeing much progress, but also I’m not really progressing our training I feel. My family is dead set on leaving her alone, even for a short time which makes it difficult for us to progress
I’d appreciate any more support! Thanks everyone.

*DEAD SET AGAINST heehee

 

[Icingss]

Lil update for you peeps. I left Miks today to go pick the kids up. I left her with some bones covered in pb ? and set my phone to record. 15 mins in she stopped barking/howling. Super pleased with this! She didn’t touch her treats though, and took her bones away to eat when we got in. Will keep working on lessening her initial anxiety (when she’s first left alone).