Weimaraner Training 5 Tips For Alleviating Separation Anxiety
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Weimaraner Training: 5 Tips For Alleviating Separation Anxiety
A common problem that arises in Weimaraner training is a particularly severe form of separation anxiety. More than a lot of other breeds of dog, Weimaraners require lots of companionship and do not like being left alone for long periods of time. Their anxiety at being separated from you can manifest itself whenever you go to leave your dog. The symptoms can range from barking or whining when you leave the house to destructive chewing, drooling, urinating, or incessant barking that can last for hours.
The Sources of Weimaraner Separation Anxiety
As we know, dogs are pack animals. Because of their sense of attachment to the pack leader they may grow agitated or panicked when you leave the house. This is because they imagine a loss of pack order that can affect their survival. However, although they may not like you leaving, there is no specific reason they should become so upset. In fact, their increasing anxiety usually results from them associating specific actions you take prior to leaving and when you return. For example; you may give them extra attention just before leaving, and you may follow the same routine every day. This allows your dog to anticipate your departure, become anxious in a way that is reinforced daily, resulting in a dog that is unable to control their anxiety whenever you go to leave.
Reducing Weimaraner Separation Anxiety
Here are some of the easiest methods to help reduce your Weimaraner’s separation anxiety.
Changing Routine – By changing your morning routine you can stop your dog from associating your usual activities with leaving/anxiety. Get up and get dressed at different times. Your Weimaraner can quickly learn to relate the sound of your alarm clock going off to the process of you leaving. Take your keys down before you leave and wait for a while. These small variations to your routine will help to reduce your dog’s pre-leaving anxiety.
Don’t Reinforce – You are only reinforcing the anxious behavior if you pet your Weimaraner when you leave or give them extra attention when you arrive home. A simple way to ease separation anxiety is to take away the clear association between them getting attention when you come and go.
You can try ignoring them for the first 10-15 minutes after you arrive home and don’t give them attention when you leave. You will have to remain strong especially when they whine and appear sad.
You can also practice this: put them in a separate room, then leave and return at intervals or use crate training for the same purpose.
Build up to longer intervals – Start with leaving for very short periods of only a few seconds or minutes and then return. The anxiety is relieved by changing your Weimaraners expectations about how long you will be away and your return. Once they realize that you return each time you leave, you can then extend the time that you are away without the associated anxiety.
You’re Not a Mean Master!
By firmly following the rules above you are not being cruel to your dog! Actually you are really helping them to feel relaxed. They learn that you are always coming back whenever you leave and that you are the pack leader and in charge of their domain. This allows them to feel safe and not feel anxious. By reducing their separation anxiety you are improving their physical and emotional health.
Finally, if your Weimaraner displays chronic or severe anxiety, I recommend that you address it straight up. Even if the symptoms are only mild, training can help them not to associate your leaving with a loss of pack order and will lead to a happier and healthier dog in the longer term.
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Weimaraner Barking: 3 Tips To Better Barking Training
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