Separation Anxiety

[ShepskyFido]

My 7 months old Husky-GSD Mix has had a lot of separation anxiety since I got him at 10 weeks old. He was after all abandoned just a week after being bought and picked up by a shelter where I got him then. When inside the house he doesn't leave my side and switches rooms with me whenever I get up. When I try to close the door to have him stay in a room on his own he won't stop crying and jumps against the door handle to open it. There arent any moments where he is actually forced to be alone as someone is always home but I want to be able to prep him for times when I have doctors appointments for example so he can be alone for 1 - 2 hours. I have tried to expose him to being alone in a room since the beginning, never for long but always increasing the time span little by little but no matter what I do he won't go quiet. He doesn't care about toys or food rewards in those moments and it doesn't make a difference when i played with him until he is tired. Any other tips or did I maybe do something wrong? Thanks in advance!

[chelseafan]

Separation anxiety takes a long time to work on, you’re doing the right thing leaving for short periods , but if you feel anxious about doing it he’ll pick up on it. It took me the best part of 18 months to now be able to leave them with no destructive behaviour for 5-6 hours. I’d advise no fuss when leaving him and say ‘back soon’ or your choice of words and leave for 10 mins randomly throughout the day and build the time up, when you return no over the top fuss just say ‘good boy’ (if nothing destroyed) there is no quick fix for SA just keep doing what you’re doing and it will click with him, he’ll realise that when you go out you will return. Good luck [emoji3]


Sent from my iPhone using Husky Owners

[Maz51]

Hope this is ok..   just might help those new pups & any owner's with furkids with SA.

SA - SEPARATION ANXIETY

I remembered this when I got my first HuskyXMal, Chester, at nine weeks; he was around six months old when I started.
Did this for several weeks 2-3 times a week..  and, I do think this helped his worry cease when I went out and couldn't take him..  he knows I'll be back!
He doesn't howl now when we're out; only maniacally when I return! (You'd think he'd be hysterical with joy but can be heard screaming as if in raucous pain!  And the longer I'm out the worse it sounds).  
There's just a little wooo-oo I've heard from either one as I go to the car ..  and my neighbours say they're quiet.. (unless he's shut himself in a room!) 
They still greet us very loudly when we pull up on the drive; Chester is up at the sink and looking at us through the window - and howling. 
It sounds like the Hounds of Baskerville every time.

Maybe it's an idea for you folks worrying over furkids with SA.... starting with trips out, but good for travelling and socialising them too - esp at a sit-outside Costa or other Cafe. 😉😁
This breed really just want to be near you.. as mine do - anywhere!  
They are very correctly defined as a wanting to be more of a  'companion' ... not a pet.

Taking them anywhere/everywhere you can, in the early days, really helps them adjust to being with you, but, also being left in the car ..  BUT (NOT ever IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER - better at home), winter temps are good but windows still need to be open three inches, and within sight of you.. around lots of people & some dogs too, and when it's colder like now, it is also brilliant to erase or, at least reduce, SA. 
NB: This is for training de-sensitisation exercises initially!
I did this in town in the High Street... plenty of activity with folk passing by and distractions from my being out of sight too!
Parking in the High Street, is better than a car park .. and, you can also see them.

And .. regardless of where I go, I always ensure they 'Wait' ..until I say OK .. to exit.

This command WAIT is REALLY  important for safety, esp. if parked in a busy High Street with close-by passing traffic.
 
I repeatedly do this safety action word ...  so, they have learned & obey, to 'Wait' before I even open th boot or car door, and not leap out until I get their leads, then 'OK' to let them exit, praising both &/or giving them a reward.

'Wait' in sit or down position, 'wait', for dinner, so many uses for 'wait'. 🙂

[ NB : I have inside leads clipped into seat belts or hooks in the boot area clipped to their harnesses, (NOT Collar) as is the vehicle law since 2014.   
That 'Wait' also stops them leaping out loose into traffic before I've grabbed their leads!  (The inside clips are just beginning to work as they are realising they cannot get out).
[In UK ALL pets must be either secured or in a fitted & secured crate inside a vehicle.] 
Several thousand pound fine possible. 

I also use 'Wait' on walks; every curb side before we cross over is 'Whoa! Wait!... (while I check it's safe to cross) then 'Walk On' or 'OK'. 
They both hesitate at curbs now then stop almost before I say 'Wait' !