--- title: "Top 5 Ways to Help Your Pup Overcome Separation Anxiety" id: "202845" type: "post" slug: "top-5-ways-to-help-your-pup-overcome-separation-anxiety" published_at: "2021-09-03T01:52:00+00:00" modified_at: "2021-09-03T01:52:00+00:00" url: "https://www.petlandfortmyers.com/2021/09/02/top-5-ways-to-help-your-pup-overcome-separation-anxiety/" markdown_url: "https://www.petlandfortmyers.com/2021/09/02/top-5-ways-to-help-your-pup-overcome-separation-anxiety.md" excerpt: "Equipping your pup to deal with your occasional absences is a vital part of the training process. The alternative to this is a pup going berserk once you step inside the house. Pups with separation anxiety usually need an outlet..." taxonomy_category: - "Community" --- [Home](https://www.petlandfortmyers.com/) / [Blog](https://www.petlandfortmyers.com/blog/) / [Community](https://www.petlandfortmyers.com/category/petland/) / **Top 5 Ways to Help Your Pup Overcome Separation Anxiety** [Community](https://www.petlandfortmyers.com/category/petland/) # Top 5 Ways to Help Your Pup Overcome Separation Anxiety September 2, 2021 · 3 min read · [Carley Kuehner](https://www.petlandfortmyers.com/author/cosmick/) [Stay connected via Google News Follow Us For The Latest Pet Updates and Guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=www.petlandfortmyers.com) Equipping your pup to deal with your occasional absences is a vital part of the training process. The alternative to this is a pup going berserk once you step inside the house. Pups with separation anxiety usually need an outlet for their anxiety, and this might not bode well for you. Some of the most common indications are: - Howling, barking, and whining. - Destructive chewing. - Scratching and digging at windows and doors in a bid to find their owners. - Defecation and urination; even in house-trained pets. To help your pup get through this and adjust to the idea of your absence. Here are 5 practical ways: 1. **Physical Exercise (Before You Leave)** One of the reasons why your pup might get wound up is because of nervous energy. Taking your pet for a brisk walk to reduce his energy levels is advisable. Once you’ve been able to get your pet in a passive state, he would likely spend your time away from him mostly resting or lazing around the place. Remember, an exhausted pup is a happy one (and one that stays out of trouble too). Enjoying this read? You'll love our puppies. Adorable, vet-checked pups looking for their forever homes — available now. [Meet our puppies](https://www.petlandfortmyers.com/puppies-for-sale/) 1. **Start Small** You don’t just up from out of the blues and leave your pet alone for hours on end. You could start with small time durations, and gradually increase your absence. Leave him alone for some five minutes, then up to ten or 20 minutes, and then keep increasing it until you could go 8 hours without a fuss. This gradual separation helps your pup slowly adjust to the idea of separation and also instills the information that you would always come back home to him. 1. **No Grand Gestures!** Overly affectionate goodbyes or greetings when you return is not the way to go. You’re trying to get your pup to understand that your leaving isn’t a big deal. A ceremonial farewell would be counterproductive. Instead, avoid eye contact, no touching, and no talking either. Make your pup get used to the idea that it’s nothing out of the ordinary. You should bring this into play when you’re starting out the separation process right from the smallest time duration. Still reading? Our puppies are waiting. Healthy, happy pups ready to meet their families — see who's available today. [Meet our puppies](https://www.petlandfortmyers.com/puppies-for-sale/) 1. **Crate Training** You should idealize your pup’s crate so that it feels like his own personal safe space. When used the right way, it is neither inhumane nor inappropriate. Rather, it provides your pet with a place to escape to when the pressure gets too much. Try to make your pup associate the crate with good feelings by leaving his favorite chew toys in there. You should only use a crate when you feel like it is the best alternative. First observe whether your pup styles down, and feels comfortable in there. Otherwise, a crate might not make things better. 1. **Build Your Pet’s Independence** An independent pet would not experience intense separation anxiety. Get your pup used to not following you around, or you ignore him when you’re focused on certain tasks. This would spur him to develop new interests, and if they skew in the way of independence, then reward this behavior. The earlier you start getting your pup used to your absence, the easier it would be for him to adjust over time. [Stay connected via Google News Follow Us For The Latest Pet Updates and Guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=www.petlandfortmyers.com) Available Now## If you loved this, you'll *love our puppies* Meet the happy, healthy pups ready to join your family today — browse the whole litter below. 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Gianna was so helpful with the purchase of our new puppy! So glad we went with Petland! Posted on Google Samuel Pellechio (C and S Plumbing of Lee) Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tyler and Gianna were an absolute joy to work with and helped us pick out our newest lil angel Posted on Google Elmer Edmonson Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Gianna and the whole team at Pet Land was awesome and made the purchase process seamless! They took the time to explain every question we had and we got the puppy of our dreams! Can’t thank Gianna and Pet Land Ft Myers enough !!! Posted on Google Isabella Simon Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alyssa was absolutely amazing in helping us find our new puppy!!! I’m so happy and I couldn’t have asked for someone better to help us during this experience!! Posted on Google Kelly Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had such a wonderful experience at Petland! From the moment we walked in, Alyssa was so welcoming, helpful, and patient with us. She took the time to answer all of our questions and made the entire process of bringing our new puppy home feel so special. Our puppy is absolutely adorable and already feels like such an important part of our family. We’re so grateful for Alyssa at Petland who helped make this experience so memorable. Thank you for helping us find our newest little family member! Highly recommend Petland to anyone looking to add a furry friend to their family. Posted on Google Lexi Dosh Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic 1 hour thats it Alyssa was wonderful!!!! Posted on Google Jorge Garcia Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We buy a German Shepers and we received an amazing help from Sophia Ann we recomended 100% Posted on Google Lorena Lora Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We got a German shepherd and they helped us so much with the items we need (Sophia was the one that helped us) Posted on Google Jill Corya Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had such a wonderful experience with Petland and especially Alicia! From start to finish, Alicia made the entire process of bringing home our new Golden Retriever so easy and enjoyable. She was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, patient, and answered every question we had. We never felt rushed, and she made sure we felt completely comfortable and prepared before bringing our new girl home. We are absolutely in love with our new Golden and couldn’t be happier! 🐾💛 Thank you, Alicia, for making such a special experience for our family even better. We highly recommend asking for her if you’re looking for your new best friend! ```