Some examples are:

• Allowing the dog to sleep in owner's bed before behavior issues are resolved 
  
• Encouraging excessive physical contact with dog when home.
  
• Playing with and petting with the dog when they demand it
  
• Petting to calm the dog down when it is agitated, scared, stressed, angry, etc.
  
• Too much of a greeting upon arrival..Greet less than you do your spouse
  
• No lengthy calm walks and constructive play before leaving....
  
• Dog is left alone bored and frustrated all day.
  
• The above and similar can make the dog too dependent and needy
  
• The neediness cannot be met when dog is alone-hence bad behaviors
  
  

It's important to keep a bit of balance so the dog does not feel so alone when you are gone.Here are some suggestion to ease the dog's stress. It is imperative that the dog receive quality attention.  Dogs are social creatures and need play time. Very important that the owner set the beginning and end time for the game.  The dog should not demand that the game be played. Have a specific fetch toy and take it out only when it is time to play.  If a dog is good for 6 fetches, stop at 4. Gradually add a repetition  on each day until the dog will do 3 dozen back and forth. Put the toy away when the game is over.  This will ensure that the dog stays motivated and doesn’t lose or destroy the toy.  Have chew toys for the dog when not playing. Do not play fetch with the dog's chew toys or when he demands for that will encourage pushy demanding behaviors. Controlling when to and what to play with will put you in the role of leader as well as prevent pushy behaviors.. Avoid chase, wrestle and rough house games. Stick to task oriented games rather than competing games as the latter does make you more of a litter mate in dog's mind instead of team leader.

Proper diet, along with calm-controlled walks will also play a big role in preventing the dog's stress.

Feed dog twice per day. This will satisfy the dog as well as prevent moodiness due to hunger or possible low blood sugar.    

Calmly walk the dog 2x day for 30 minutes. Once before and once after work. On the walks you can include some basic
training-luring the dog to sits and downs with some tasty soft treats. This encourages the dog to stay on task. Treats are ok at the onset but need to be faded out as the dog should work for you approval with praise and petting, treats as a random bonus. Might be best to seek out a trainer to best assist for reliable results in a timely fashion. After the walk..a bit of fetch as previously outlined. 

When leaving dog alone..let it out for a quick toilet and be sure to leave the radio on. Calm music and a bit loud so it blocks outside noise that may stress or agitate dog. Also do leave a light on if it will be getting dark and draw blinds/shades so visual activity does not agitate the dog. Lastly..maintain a calm presence around the dog so as to not excite it before you leave..no petting, play or praising the last 20 to 30 minutes you are home. Do let dog out for a quick toilet before stepping out the door and give it something safe to chew on when gone. These are all meant to be preventive measures. If you continue to have Dog Separation Anxiety Training  issues..contact us for assistance.
 

Dog Separation Anxiety Training

Dog separation anxiety is often mislabeled or misunderstood. 
True dog separation anxiety is not at all that common. It's more 
of a 'home alone' issue, for the dog is a social or pack living
animal. Being alone..separated from the pack/family is not a natural
state for the dog. It creates stress and anxiety. Dogs must be be
conditioned to being left alone. Otherwise behaviors such as
barking, destructiveness, escape attempts along with toilet
accidents may occur. With many "home alone" situations, 
the owner has been a primary contributor by giving their dog
too much,or the wrong kinds of attention when home
creating needy and lonely anxiety when left alone.

DOG TRAINING

by BOB MAIDA

Since 1969. Helping People and Pets

​Regarding Dog Training or Dog Problem Behavior Counseling..
Give us a call/Email for a free evaluation of your dog problems.

NEW YORK CITY(NYC)WESTCHESTER & NASSAU COUNTY 914 395 3647
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