Provide plenty of exercise before you are due to leave
For humans, exercise has a huge impact on mental health - we love endorphins and it helps us to de-stress. It's the same for dogs.
Dedicate 30 minutes a day to give your dog some vigorous exercise before you leave. Reward your dog's low energy with water, food or tasty treats. They'll spend the next few hours calm, resting and relaxing from a tiring play/ run/ walk session!
Don't Fuss When You Leave (no touch, no eye contact, no fuss)
If you make a huge fuss everytime you leave, or come back dog will pick up on the pattern. Don’t make a big deal when you leave for the day or when you return. If you make it a big deal, they will make it a big deal.
Train them to understand this is just everyday life. If you want to say goodbye, do it long before you actually leave.
Mix Up Your Morning Routine
Your dog knows you also as well as you know yourself. Whether it’s from your work clothes, your morning alarm, or the jingling of your keys - you're getting that sad “I know you’re leaving” face for a reason.
Small changes to your patterns can break negative associations that cause dread from your loving (and highly observant) canine companion.
Don't Jump In Too fast!
Start off small and work your way up. Leave your dog alone for five minutes, then extend the time to twenty minutes, then an hour.
Try and increase this over time until they are comfortable with being alone the full day!
Consider A (Natural) Calming Supplement
Every dog, just like every human is different. Sometimes triggers cannot be avoided and some dogs (especially certain breeds) require additional support to help them cope. Calming supplements are not a replacement for training, but they can help amplify its effectiveness and keep your dog relaxed and comfortable.
We recommend picking a natural calming treat (not tablet or spray), to use as a tasty treat containing proven ingredients to help calm your pup such as: L-theanine, Passionflower & Chamomile. Avoid using ingredients such as melatonin which can cause drowsiness!
