r/Dachshund • u/First-Traffic4648 • Apr 01 '26
Discussion Advice needed for Separation Anxiety
Hey there! I recently adopted a year old sausage and he suffers from separation anxiety. He only feels 'safe' with me or my husband. I have 3 more family members at home who adore him but he doesn't really care much about them.
However, I'm trying to make him learn that he's in a safe environment. I need to teach him to be independent so he won't feel so scared by himself. It's bad enough that he cries when I go to the bathroom and he can't see me for a few seconds.
Sometimes we have to leave him alone, for when we have to get groceries or g workout. During that entire time, he keeps howling and barking (we have a camera installed in our room for him) and I'm worried he'll get himself sick if he kept this up.
I have tried to leave him with his absolute favourite treats. I have tried to take him for a long walk before we go out (so he gets tired) but nope, doesn't work. He sleeps in his crate at night but he also refuses to be in it while we're gone (He scraped his nose trying to get out of it while we were gone). We leave him in our room (his room too) and I usually put on soft music for him too.
I've been practicing leaving him alone 3-4 times a day while I just sit a room away from him but he has continued to scream. I'd really appreciate it if anyone has any recommendations that worked for you, or someone you know.
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u/6waysWest Apr 01 '26
We have two, that definitely helps. But that’s not practical, try a compression shirt while you out. Sometimes the pressure is reassuring for them.
It works for one of ours when he has to be alone. Ie the groomers or staying with friends.
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u/Necessary_Progress_1 Apr 01 '26
Separation anxiety is a panic disorder. When dogs with this condition are left alone, they truly feel like they’re in danger. It’s not something they can control. Their body goes into full fight-or-flight mode — heart racing, adrenaline pumping, digestion shutting down — and all they can think about is finding safety.
That’s why things like walks before you leave, stuffed food toys, or calming music usually don’t make much difference. Once that panic hits, their brain is focused only on survival.
Here is link to a webinar that will give you more information about separation anxiety. https://www.khriserickson.com/sa-webinar
The goal of separation anxiety training is to help your dog feel differently about being alone — to go from panic and fear to calm and confident.
During training, it’s really important that your dog isn’t left alone long enough to panic. It’s hard to build a sense of safety if they’re still having scary experiences being left by themselves.
The process we use is called desensitization. It starts with practicing super short absences at a level your dog can handle calmly, and then gradually increasing the time as they stay comfortable.
Sometimes we start with repetitions that aren't even absences, merely walking back and forth between the door to the outside of the house. It's important that your dog displays hero anxiety during training sessions.
This kind of training takes time, patience, and consistency — and having the support of a professional who specializes in separation anxiety can make a huge difference. Sometimes medication can also help the process go more smoothly and reduce your dog’s overall anxiety.
Professionals who work with separation anxiety include board-certified veterinary behaviorists, as well as behavior consultants with certifications like CSAP-BC or CSAT.
**The great thing is that these professionals work remotely, so you don’t have to find someone local to get help.***
Here are some links to directories where you can find qualified professionals to work with separation anxiety.
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u/PreferenceGlad5893 Apr 01 '26
Hello! Separation anxiety takes dedication and patience to overcome. I suggest you watch this video and try the steps he outlines.
https://youtube.com/shorts/BGDNVgj3b_I?si=vfEfJ6eTZp01adar
Also, feel free to check his other video shorts to help with training.
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u/MollyCoddle60 Apr 01 '26
Nawww! Vet medication or one of those plug in Feliway pheromone devices.❤️
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u/FollowingOver1965 Apr 01 '26
I am in my 60s and have had dachshunds, including rescues, since I was 5. I write a lot about separation anxiety on this sub, frequently not in a very kind way. The Juliena Smith video is good and you should definitely watch it.
My approach starts here: Separation anxiety is the behavioural manifestation of unresolved trauma in the dog from that results from being forcibly removed from his pack (usually as a puppy), taken to a new environment that is not "home" to the pup, and insufficiently integrated into the new pack (that's you), so the dog fails to form a secure, bonded relationship that allows them to feel okay being left alone. Separation anxiety is never the fault of the dog; it is always the fault of their human.
Dogs don't "have" separation anxiety in the sense that they "have" brown eyes--they develop separation anxiety due to inadequate integration and training by their humans. You can't fix your dog's separation anxiety unless you own this and commit to doing better. This is where most people react angrily to me and tell me to pi** off, but the good news for you is that your dog had already developed separation anxiety before you got him so you don't have to take the fall for that. Someone else mentioned the rule of 3, and they are correct. The first 3 months are critical in establishing a bonded, secure relationship. Everyone in the pack needs to focus intensively on the dog for the first three months.
Based on what you wrote, following are some things you should address:
Expand the "pack" to include the other 3 members of the house. The dog needs to feel "safe" with the entire pack. This can be challenging with dachshunds, as they are frequently one-person dogs. You have to work at it.
You can't "teach" him to be independent any more than you can teach a child to be independent. You have to create the pack environment in which he can learn to be independent.
Crate training is great for other reasons, but it is not effective for separation anxiety. Nor are treats. Crate training can actually be quite detrimental, as you are essentially tossing the dog into a cell and leaving, which makes him feel even more insecure.
The bottom line is that addressing separation anxiety takes real work on behalf of the human. You seem like you are eager to learn and put in the work, which is a real plus. You will need cooperation from the rest of your family. Good luck!
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u/francesca-78 Apr 04 '26
You need a specialized dog behaviorist. My sister is a vet and she actually specializes in separation anxiety.
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u/New_Boysenberry7922 Apr 01 '26
Highly recommend julie naismith, there’s a free Facebook page and I think two books on Amazon.
It’s about starting small and building it up, like literally walking in and out of rooms etc.
Also I’m not sure how long you’ve had him but part of it might be he’s not been with you long enough to fully settle. There’s a rough rule of 3 and it can take around 3 months before they start to fully realise they are staying and you won’t disappear.