Separation - an act or instance of separating or the state of being separated.
Separation is important with our dogs. Not only is it imperative that they be okay with separation; it is essential to their well being that they be calm and comfortable while separated. Most k9 guardians have heard the term separation anxiety and have a loose understanding of what it means. But most folks thinks it only pertains to when we leave our dogs at home. It does include this but separation encompasses anything about the whole separation issue and today I want to talk about dog/dog separation anxiety.
Perhaps you have a dog and you want to add another to your family. Or, you have two or more dogs already. Do you take them out one at a time ever? How about regularly? Alone time is soooo very important, right from the get go. If dogs never learn to be alone they can never be the best version of themselves.
Let me explain. If your dog always has another dog with them then they never fully deal with the world around them on their own; they will also have a hard time if something should happen to that other dog/dogs.
I’m not saying to keep your dogs apart all the time, no. Simply take each out a couple of times a week so that they are all comfortable being left and going out on their own. Probably the biggest issue is being left. The dog left at home feels abandoned, like they are missing out and basically jipped out of some fun. But with enough repetition they will learn to be “okay” at home alone over time.
I have been doing this with my dogs for a long time and each and everyone one of them has dealt with being the one at home. When I had Luke and Elsa I worked very hard on the alone time. This enabled Elsa to be “okay” after Luke passed and she had no choice but to be alone at home when I went out.
With Riggs, it took a while. At first he was in his crate and he loved his crate but leave with Elsa and that was not okay. Then he moved to the expen, same thing but got better quickly. Then he was contained to the kitchen where he improved further and now he has run of the house when I go out; with or without Elsa at home. Of course he’d like to go each time but it is giving him essential tools to work with for the future. He is fine at home alone and that is important.
I communicate to my dog as far as who is going for a walk by saying “just Elsa” or “just Riggs.” Each understand and take away any mystery about who’s going. If I am going out alone I always simply state “Momma, will be back.” No big fuss or goodbyes, just the facts.
If you are always a pack, time to start some one on one time.
