The best strategy for me, hands down, was consistency-I made sure to leave her alone every single day, even if just for ten minutes. When I first got her, it was the dead of winter, and after spending the day outside with her, I had no desire to go on solo walks. Thankfully, my apartment building had a gym, so I started going-sometimes just for 15-20 minutes. This small habit not only got me into fitness for the first time in my life but also helped my pup learn that being alone was just a normal part of the routine. Over time, I gradually increased the duration, and now, three years later, she has zero issues with separation. My biggest advice? Get a crate, be consistent, and normalize alone time from day one!
2 main things for me. Firstly you need to lay the groundwork and train your dog so that they know being alone is ok, and that you will be back. I make sure that with my puppies I do gradual training where I'm away from them a few minutes at a time and I reward good behavior when I return. This can involve using a dog crate as a training aid to start with. This is critical in teaching your puppy that they can use this alone time to destress and to relax, while getting a reward and affection when you return. Secondly I like to use brain stimulating feeders so that the dog has to work and "hunt" for food when you are not there (much like in the wild). Hiding a few treats in these mats will stimulate your dog and prevent boredom and destructive behavior. With these 2 things I make sure that my dogs aren't stressed and don't suffer from separation anxiety Hope this is what you are after Best of luck Andrew Nolan