In this section we will discuss dog separation anxiety and the best dog training techniques, tips, tools, devices, methods and commands on how to cure separation anxiety in dogs.


We will describe a recent case where we used a particular dog training technique to help cure a close relative's Yorkshire Terrier of this upsetting and debilitating behavior problem.

If you want more information on how to cure more specific dog or puppy behavior problems such as those listed below.

If you want to cure these problems then check out our sections on curing more common problems associated with dog separation anxiety and separation anxiety in dogs.

This is quite a recent story where a very close relative needed our help regarding their young Yorkshire Terrier called Honey.

The dog training techniques and methods that we used to cure this nasty case of dog separation anxiety are not a definitive treatment of separation anxiety in dogs but a solution that worked for Honey.

Often when treating dogs with this separation anxiety disorder you may need to 'suck it and see' until you find a specific technique that has the desired result.

Anyway this is the three step program that we used and you can use too.

Now the next step to help cure this problem was to get Honey used to being outside when the owner was inside.

We encouraged the owner to do this in very small segments during the day - a few minutes each time.

We gradually increased the time that they were apart over the next two weeks.

To help cure the separation anxiety in Honey the owner limited the time that they were apart to a few seconds and up to a minute at first.

The idea is not to wait until Honey started getting stressed and anxious but for the owner to be reunited before any signs of Honey showed any signs of separation anxiety.

As we are using positive reinforcement throughout the dog training process - Honey was given a treat after they had been reunited.

Top Dog Training Tip - Only reunite yourself with your dog when he is quiet and not stressed.

If you wait until he is stressed you are teaching your dog that if he becomes anxious and misbehaves he will get a treat - i.e. being reunited with you!

Now we had to cure Honey's dog separation anxiety problem by eliminating the actual distress that Honey was feeling every-time the owner left the House.

The aim is to desensitize the triggers that was causing Honey's separation anxiety.

We started by watching the triggers that were causing Honey to get upset - and we realized that the owner putting her coat on and even picking up her keys got Honey agitated.

So what did we do?

The final step in curing the dog separation anxiety that Honey was suffering from was to expand on the training process outlined in Step 3.

This complete training regime cured Honey's separation anxiety in about six weeks.

Of course it can take longer - but it is important to remain consistent and be realistic and not expect results immediately.

Of course there are medications that are available for dog separation anxiety but this is something that doesn't fit well with our ethos on dog obedience training.