“The neighbours have complained about the barking...again”

You come home from a long day at work to a “whirlwind of excitement” greeting from your dog. But your interest is focused on finding out what has been destroyed. Your favourite pair of shoes, holes in the backyard, an X-box controller... Your neighbour tells you that, once again, your dog has been driving the neighbourhood crazy by howling and barking while you were away. Is this scenario familiar? Your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety.

Leaving your puppy home alone can be a distressing experience for both of you. Sure it would have been sensible to gradually adjust your pet to being alone before all this started, but that’s not the situation you’re in.

Here are five tips to help ease separation anxiety:

1. Before you leave the house, take your dog for a walk!

Start your day by taking your dog for a brisk walk.

Dogs wake up with lots of energy. Let it be exerted in the park and not your table legs. (Yes this may mean getting out of bed an hour earlier).

It’s going to be easier for the dog to stay in a calm state all day if he’s got no energy stored in his tanks.

2. No touch, no talk, no eye contact.

Do make leaving and arriving uneventful?

If you make leaving a big production – lots of hugs and goodbyes or asking if he’ll miss you – your dog will assume it’s a big deal.

Don't make a big deal when you leave for the day or when you return. This way, you are communicating to your dog that the time apart is no big deal. It's just business as usual. Depending on the severity of the dog anxiety, you may need to practice the rule for five minutes or up to an hour before you leave and when you get back.

3. Say goodbye long before you leave.

Having trouble practicing "no touch, no talk, no eye contact"? Take a moment to have some cuddles and tell your dog that you will miss him way before you actually leave. Keep in mind that this display is for you - not your dog! Your dog won't have his feelings hurt if you didn't say goodbye.

4. Stay calm and assertive!

When you are ready to go to work, leave those guilty, nervous, and concerned feelings behind. Instead, let your dog know that everything is going to be okay - calmly and soothingly. A calm and assertive owner can ease all separation anxiety.

5. Start out small.

Leave your dog alone for five minutes. Then, extend the time to twenty minutes; then an hour. Reward your dog with a piece of food and attention when he lies quietly. Continue to increase the time you spend away until you can leave for a full eight hours with no problem!

Naturally this will be impossible if you already work an 8 hour day away from home. Consider hiring a walker to give your dog a midday break if you can’t get away from work.

Helpful tips for people who work: Instead – create a ‘Training out of separation anxiety’ weekend. Start the day as if it were a work day. Leave for 5 minutes and then return to the house. Just be sure to follow the points previously mentioned. Take frequent breaks for an hour to calm them – then leave again for a longer time period. When you return, don’t go directly to him or give him an overly excitable cuddle hello. If you can, wait until your dog is calm and quiet, then casually greet him and praise him for being good or well behaved. IDEA- Practice doing this separation even if you’re staying at home. Are you someone who goes to the toilet with an audience? Get them to sit and stay away from the door. Then go to the toilet alone. Still struggling? In such cases, you may want to consult a qualified dog trainer or behaviour professional. Alternatives include:     Enrol pooch into a Doggie Daycare     Leave them with a friend or relative who is home all day     Work from home     Start crate training     Purchase Soft Hushing muzzle collars     Ensure they have a kennel if they are being left outside. Remember – there is nothing wrong with you or your dog. Your dog just wants to be with you and needs to learn how to be alone.