How do you calm an anxious dog when owner leaves?
Lynn Hagenes
2025-06-29 17:27:59
Count answers
: 6
Before the trip, ask pet owners to keep their behavior when they leave the house super low-key. This may take practice as triggers can be small things like grabbing the keys and putting on a coat. They should practice putting on their coat but instead of leaving, watch something on their iPads for example. The goal is to teach the pet that these “triggers” don’t represent leaving the house which starts that anxiety.
House sits or longer drop-in visits will help reduce separation anxiety. One way to help pets with true separation anxiety is to keep them company by spending the day and possibly the evening in the house.
A tired dog is a good dog, so go out for a walk and perhaps in this case the walk needs to be a combination of nose work and cardio. Stuff those KONGs and puzzle toys. ThunderShirts are a great solution for anxious pets. Try using Comfort Zone plug-ins and sprays in the environment to help ease anxiety. Play music during your visit and leave on a TV or try music players available at icalmpet.com. Always close the blinds or curtains while you’re at the house and make sure when you leave the anxious dog doesn’t have access to large windows if they like to bark at other dogs or the mailman.
Maymie Spencer
2025-06-29 16:08:12
Count answers
: 13
Give your dog a special treat each time you leave, like a puzzle toy stuffed with peanut butter. Only give them this treat when you're gone, and take it away when you get home. Make your comings and goings low-key without a lot of greeting. Ignore your pup for the first few minutes after you get home. Leave some recently worn clothes out that smell like you. Consider giving your pet over-the-counter natural calming supplements. They may start to get nervous when they see signs you're about to leave, like putting on your shoes or picking up your keys. So do those things, but then don't leave. Put on your shoes and then sit down at the table. Pick up your keys and watch TV. Do this over and over many times a day. When your dog starts to feel less anxious about that, you can slowly start to disappear. Always act calm when you leave and when you return. Make sure your pet gets lots of exercise every day. A tired, happy dog will be less stressed when you leave. It's also key that you challenge your pet's mind. Play training games and fetch. Use interactive puzzles. Work their mind as well as their body. That will keep them busy, happy, and too tired to be anxious while you're gone.
Read also
- How to deal with parent separation anxiety?
- What is the best intervention for separation anxiety?
- Is it cruel to leave a dog with separation anxiety?
- What is crippling anxiety as a parent?
- How to deal with someone who has separation anxiety?
- How long can you legally leave a dog alone in the UK?
- What calms separation anxiety?
- At what age does separation anxiety typically peak?