One of the most difficult and pervasive behavioral issue dogs and owners deal with is separation anxiety. In my experience, this issue is also the most over-drugged and misunderstood for vets and trainers. ⠀

In my opinion, separation anxiety is a relationship issue, not a true behavioral issue. It’s when the dog doesn’t trust their leader to leave. Most of the time, separation anxiety isn’t the only “issue” that the dog is dealing with. ⠀

Almost every dog I’ve worked with that previously dealt with separation anxiety was either drugged or recommend to be drugged, which is really unfortunate. ⠀

In my experience, dogs and more importantly, owners, who are dealing with behavioral issues have these habits:

✔️ Unearned affection

✔️ Way too much freedom inside and outside the home ✔️ An owner who feels sorry and humanizes the dog

✔️ Lack of structure exercise

✔️ Sleeps in bed with the owner or doesn’t sleep in crate

✔️ Owner who gave up on Crete training

✔️ Owner doesn’t practice separation from dog then they are home and allows dog to follow them everywhere ⠀

How to help?

✔️teaching place ✔️structure mental and physical exercise

✔️ Practicing making your dog stay in one area and allowing you to leave ✔️Crate training

Obviously these factors vary depending on the relationship between dog and owner but these are the most common. It’s basically a recipe for separation anxiety. ⠀

I want owners to know that separation can be dealt with and fixed without the use of drugging dogs. There are steps you can take to help your dog feel safe when you leave. It’s possible.