New dog has separation anxiety and nips when I get home. How to help?

Question

I’ve had my dog for only a couple of days, the rspca are involved as I got her not knowing she had one week old puppies that the previous owner has kept, but now that she’s with me every time I leave she is having bad separation anxiety and then when I return she start to nip at me! I just want to know how I can help her? Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 3 months old

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

Poor Baby! I recommend crating her when you are gone. The crate will provide her a small space where she can feel safe in it when you are gone. You will have to slowly train her to get used to a crate. Start putting her in it when you are home and sitting nearby so she doesn't think you are abandoning her, and slowly increase the time she is in it. She can have toys in the crate, and puzzle toys with treats in it that she has to figure out how to get the treats out. You can put a tablespoon of peanut butter in a Kong toy and freeze it in the freezer overnight, then give it to her in the crate. That will keep her occupied for a while. Finally, you can get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety and pair that with a DAP pheromone collar that releases pheromones when in contact with her skin. If these methods do not help her, then I recommend having her seen by a vet to discuss the use of anti-anxiety medications. I hope this helps!

New dog has separation anxiety and nips when I get home. How to help?

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