Separation Anxiety
Separation Anxiety is quite common, especially in rescue dogs. You have to remember that they went from having nobody to take care of them, to someone loving them 24/7, so of course they might be a bit put off when you leave for work! SA can also be triggered by changes in the home environment (new family member, new pet, loss of a pet, human working different shifts) or if all of a sudden your dog is being left alone when it was use to being around people. Many fosters shy away from dogs with SA but it honestly is something that can and should be worked through.
SOME BASIC TIPS FOR FOSTERS
TRAINING TIPS
Start off small- you will have to do a lot of short burst training to help your dog overcome their fears. If you plan on kennelling your dog you need to make their kennel a happy and safe place. You will want to start off easy- leave the door of your kennel open and have your dog in for only a few seconds at a time. You will want to practise leaving and coming back several times- go out to your car or take a walk down the street, but be sure to come back quickly so that your dog gets use to you coming and going, and will start to realize it’s ok and you are coming back.
SOME BASIC TIPS FOR FOSTERS
- Try to switch your wire kennel for a plastic one- many dogs feel safer in a fully enclosed area, which gives them the sense that they are in a den. If getting a plastic kennel isn't an option you can also place a large blanket over the top and sides to create the same effect
- When you are leaving or coming home, try as hard as you can not to make a big deal about your dog, which is harder than it sounds! If you make you coming and going into less of an event it will help your dog not get over stimulated
- Provide your dog with things to keep them occupied in their kennel when you go to work. For example you can freeze a Kong full of wet dog food and toss it in as you are getting ready to leave- it will keep them occupied for hours!
- Situate them so that they are near other dogs. For example if you have two dogs of your own and one foster all in kennels place your foster in the middle so they can hear/smell your dogs.
- Shun the silence- turn on a radio! Dogs are like humans, if a space is too quiet they can become nervous and scared of small noises. A radio or TV put on low provides background sound and will calm your dog's nerves when you leave
TRAINING TIPS
Start off small- you will have to do a lot of short burst training to help your dog overcome their fears. If you plan on kennelling your dog you need to make their kennel a happy and safe place. You will want to start off easy- leave the door of your kennel open and have your dog in for only a few seconds at a time. You will want to practise leaving and coming back several times- go out to your car or take a walk down the street, but be sure to come back quickly so that your dog gets use to you coming and going, and will start to realize it’s ok and you are coming back.