Separation Anxiety – mild case – positive reinforcement dog training
www.pamsdogacademy.com This is an old video that I was not sure if I would ever upload. After filming this there are a few things I would add, but I now have a new computer and I am not sure how to transfer the file to imovie or if it is even possible. So, I am uploading it anyway and adding a bunch of information to this description. Bandit is free of separation anxiety now after many months of changing our routine, taking baby steps, and having a few set backs. There was a point in the training that I did not mention when I would leave the house and come right back, then go out the door down the porch, then out the door down the porch and open the car door, and always right back to reward him for being quiet and calm. Eventually I got to where I could drive up the road come right home and reward. For Bandit I believe it was that he just wanted our fun and play time to continue on and on. He never showed any other symptoms other than the out of control barking. He never chewed things up, nor did he ever have potty accidents inside. So, I was lucky that all I really had to do was work on his being calm and not barking as I left the house. I did have to show him that I was coming home. I also changed my daily routine with him. I used to come home in the middle of the day to play with him and this seemed to just get him more worked up and want to play more. So, I stopped coming home and playing and would either not come home at all or do calm quiet things with him when I …
Ok, I see what you mean. Kongsicle, huh? Cute. This is mental stimulating for me too. Hehehe..
@wongsoler I think you could change it up and give your pup different things, cream cheese, kibble mixed with a little cream cheese, but why stop. I like to put a little peanut butter or cream cheese then fill with kibble, and top with a little cream cheese or pb, then freeze it to make a kongsicle.
I figure that it gives the dogs a job, a little mental stimulation to get it all out of there and that is good for them. Why quit… Sometimes I hide the kongs as well. Hope that helps. Pam
@pamelamarxsen It has actually worked really well with my dog and I am slowly trying to partially wean her off from the peanut butter filled kong. GREAT ADVICE!
@wongsoler How is it going? I hope that some of the tips have helped. Take care! Pam
thanks for sharing this. I am going to try it out on my shelter dog. I feel sad that she gets freaked out whenever she is alone. Thanks again for educating the rest of us!
Well done Pam! Awesome video!
Thanks! I agree, it is good to practice what we preach! I also always say that dogs are not robots. So, I just train and work through the problems just like I would anyone’s dog! Thank you for giving me the courage to upload this video! Have a great day!
Pam
Great video! I’m glad you decided to release it. I think what’s more impressive than a dog trainer with an always-perfect dog is a dog trainer with a dog who had some behavior problems, but managed to overcome them with proper training. Sort of a “practice what you preach” thing.
Great video to address a problem that a lot of people dont recognize and can really afffect owners and doggies. Glad you were able to put some suggestions out there
, sure it will be helpful for lots of people!
nice!
I hope so! That is why I put it out there. Thank you for being so nice!
Tracy that is awesome that you are working on crate games and calming right away. So smart!! Your pup will be just amazing! I keep looking at the gold girl and want her, but I have to wait. Bandit is almost ready to do agility trials and I told myself I would not get a puppy until Bandit was trialing. However, it is so hard seeing that cute little pup without a home. I know that they will take good care of her until they find her a home. Fingers crossed she gets one soon!
You are a very nice person! Thank you!
Yes, that is also a great idea! I have also used a crate with an item of ours as well as a Kong filled with something yummy. Thanks!
I agree! Making a big deal of leaving is not a good idea. I have even toned it down since the video and just give the Kong, dilly dally around a bit, and then out I go. I never had a problem with my other dog Isabelle. She would just sleep right after our morning jog. Sometimes I think that the more exercise my little Bandit gets, the more hyped up he is. Thanks for the nice comment! It is hard putting things out for the world to see and for them to judge. I just hope it helps some dogs.
Nice work Pam, Bandit catches on so darn fast! I too am working on separation anxiety with my new puppy. Of course he misses his litter mates, and doesn’t see the crate as a place of comfort quite yet but it is getting better with crate games and calming exercises.
Thankyou Pam this is good helpful information.
Another thing we also did, was to leave an item of our clothing that smelt of us on her bed and this helped her settle x (ie. t shirt)
So glad Bandit now does not suffer from separation anxiety. I know a lot of dog owners with dogs that do suffer badly from this and in some cases the owners cannot leave the house at all – they have to get a sitter to come in an stay – while they go out – my dog thankfully, has never suffered from any kind of separation anxiety, but one thing we were always consistent with was that when we leave the house, we never actually make a point of saying “goodbye” or “be back later” etc – we just go -
Great video! Hope this will help a lot of dog owners.