Separation anxiety is by far one of the most frustrating and emotional behaviors to correct for dog owners. It happens when a dog becomes stressed to the point of destruction each time their owner leaves the home. As soon as the door shuts he may commence with barking, whining, pawing, and chewing to the point of destroying your house as well as injuring himself. It doesn’t matter if you’re gone one minute or one hour, the dog becomes anxious as soon as you leave.

Your dog is, in a sense, addicted to you and only you can help him overcome this addiction.

Establish a Routine

Dogs, like children, thrive on routine. It brings them comfort and safety. You need to immediately take the leadership role in this small pack and establish a routine. This will include, feeding time and place, exercise, play, rest and affection. I am not suggesting that your entire day is planned around the dog’s routine, but it will help immensely if he knows that he’s fed every day within an hour or so of the same time, when he can expect treats, and what’s the bedtime routine. You may take his collar off at night which will signify that the day is over.

Breathing Space

If your dog is addicted to you it is likely that he’s always by your side and follows you from room to room. To give you both breathing space, get some pillow beds and put them in the rooms you frequent the most. Tell him to lie down on his bed and encourage him to do so with affection and treats. Taking a simple obedience class will help him understand how to respond to your commands. If you keep your dog in a special room when you leave, like a back porch with access to the yard try feeding him there, playing with him and showing affection in this space. He needs to associate it with something positive instead of seeing it as punishment and just separation from you.

Exercise the Body and Mind

The best thing anyone can do for a dog apart from providing him food, water and shelter, is to take him for a walk. Dogs love to exercise and to see the world around them. If he knows he’s going to get a nice brisk walk in the morning before you leave for work, it will help him to settle into the day and relax when you leave. Dogs get cabin fever too and need a change of scene which provides mind and body stimulation in order to be balanced and healthy. Playing fetch in the back yard does not count. Get your dog leash trained and go for regular walks. You’ll see a world of difference in his behavior.

Be the Leader

Dogs are pack animals and need a leader. That’s got to be you. Maintain a calm and assertive attitude around him. Take some training classes, buy a dog training book or just Google dog training tips on the internet. Then practice sit, stay, down, come – all the basic commands. Don’t smother him with love all the time. There is time for play, rest, eating, training and exercise and you are in control of all those things.

The Art of the Depart

When it’s time for you to leave the home always have a routine within your daily schedule, and do it each time you leave, even if it’s 10 times a day until your dog is comfortable with it. For instance, just before you’re ready to leave, let your dog outside and encourage him to do his business. It’s best if you progress to even leaving him out by himself if your yard is fenced in. When you let him in, take him to the room where he’s to stay while you’re gone and give him a treat. You may have a special toy or bone that he likes and only gets during this time. When leaving tell him in a calm and assertive voice the same thing every time in the same tone. Personally I always say, “Bye, be a good boy! See you later.” It is very important that you don’t show distress, fear or nerves when you do this. You dog will feed off of your energy.

None of this will happen overnight, but your dog can change if you change first. Make his life predictable in a positive way and you will both be happier and your home will stay intact.