The key here is to proceed very gradually from step to step. You should not go forward a step until you dog shows no signs of distress with what you are doing. If your actions do produce anxiety, you've likely gone too fast and need to return to the earlier step. How long it will take you or how many times you need to repeat each step will vary.

You can start practicing short absences once your dog has learned to tolerate your being outside for several seconds. Start with a minute away and practice as many absences under ten minutes as possible. You can practice several of these in one session, and also practice some short-duration absences scattered throughout the day. Every time that you return, keep your return low-key. Your goal should be to get your dog to handle short absences between thirty and ninety minutes in length. Once that has been accomplished, you can start to try some longer absences.

There are some things that simply won't help with separation anxiety. Punishment should never be used and crating is not recommended. Getting another pet as a companion usually doesn't work either. What can work, however, is lots of patience and understanding.

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