So, we’ve been having issues with our labradoodle Piper barking and howling when we’re not home. She’s 4 years old, medium-sized, and this has been going on for a while. We’ve tried giving her a treat when we leave and telling her when we’ll be back, but it’s still a problem. Does anyone have any tips or advice for separation anxiety in dogs? Would love to hear what worked for you!
I had the same issue with my dog a while back. Separation anxiety is no joke! We tried a bunch of things, like clicker training, and also mind-stimulating toys like the Kong with cream cheese. Honestly, it made a huge difference.
@MissNicklaus
Ooh, I never thought about the Kong with cream cheese! I’ll try that for sure. Did you do anything specific with training?
DawgFella said:
@MissNicklaus
Ooh, I never thought about the Kong with cream cheese! I’ll try that for sure. Did you do anything specific with training?
Yeah, we worked on simple commands like ‘down stay.’ Just kept it short, like a few minutes at a time, and built it up. The key is to make her feel secure even when you’re gone. It’s a slow process, but it helped!
We had the same issue. A big thing that helped was changing up my routine. Piper might be picking up on your usual leaving cues, like grabbing keys or putting on a coat. Try switching it up every day so she doesn’t know when you’re leaving.
@CoachKate
Oh, that’s a good point! I never realized I was doing the same things before leaving. I’ll definitely try that. Thanks for the tip!
I would also recommend some calming products like the Adaptil diffuser. I’ve heard it works better than the collar, at least for indoor use. Could help keep her more relaxed while you’re away.
DolphGabbana said:
I would also recommend some calming products like the Adaptil diffuser. I’ve heard it works better than the collar, at least for indoor use. Could help keep her more relaxed while you’re away.
I’ve been thinking about trying that! Does it really make a difference? I don’t want to waste my money if it doesn’t work…
@esleystanley
Yeah, I swear by it! It’s not a miracle fix, but it definitely helps take the edge off. I’d say it’s worth a shot!
Have you tried getting Piper some puzzle toys? That helped distract my dog. You can stuff treats inside, and it keeps them occupied for a while.
Lucas said:
Have you tried getting Piper some puzzle toys? That helped distract my dog. You can stuff treats inside, and it keeps them occupied for a while.
I’ve seen those, but didn’t know if they’d work for a medium-sized dog like Piper. Do you have any recommendations for specific toys?
@BeachPlizz
Definitely! The Buster Cube and Kong Genius are great for medium-sized dogs. They really get their brain going, and it helps to tire them out mentally.
One thing we tried that worked was using a stuffed animal with a heartbeat sound. It really calmed my dog when we were gone. You could try that and see if it helps Piper!
Kimberly said:
One thing we tried that worked was using a stuffed animal with a heartbeat sound. It really calmed my dog when we were gone. You could try that and see if it helps Piper!
That sounds interesting! I’ll check it out. Do you think it works best for younger dogs or would it work for an older dog too?
@ethan_johnson
It could work for any age. It’s more about comforting them, and it’s especially helpful for dogs with anxiety. I’d give it a try!