As a dog owner, I know the heartache of leaving my dog home alone. For many dogs, this separation can lead to anxiety, causing distress for both the pet and the owner. Fortunately, modern technology offers a solution in the form of pet cameras. These devices not only allow you to keep an eye on your dog but can also help alleviate separation anxiety. Let’s explore how pet cameras can make a difference and which ones are best suited for dogs with separation anxiety.
What is Dog Separation Anxiety?
Dog separation anxiety is a condition where dogs become excessively anxious when left alone or separated from their owners. Symptoms can include excessive barking, destructive behavior, pacing, and even attempts to escape. This condition can be distressing for both the dog and the owner, often leading to concerns about the pet’s well-being during periods of separation, especially when you can’t see your dog.
Dogs are a social species (they developed from wolves, who live in family packs after all) and it’s worth remmeber that we domesticated them to want to be with us, so it’s ntaural that this is exactly what they want do do.
How Can Pet Cameras Help with Separation Anxiety?
Pet cameras serve as a virtual presence, allowing owners to monitor and interact with their dogs remotely, even at night with night vision. This can provide comfort to both the dog and the owner. By being able to check in on your pet, you can ensure they’re safe and potentially intervene if you notice signs of distress.
Top Features to Look for in Pet Cameras
When shopping for a pet camera to help with separation anxiety, consider these key features:
1. Image Quality: Look for cameras that offer clear, high-resolution video.
2. Pan and Tilt: This feature allows you to move the camera around.
3. Storage: Some cameras only store data in the cloud for a subscription fee which can get a little expensive, so having ones with a SD card on board will save you money in the long run.
4. Motion Detection: This alerts you to your dog’s movements, helping you monitor their activity level.
5. Night Vision: You don’t always want to leave all the lights on for your dog so this is useful to see what goes on after dark!
What Image Quality Should You Expect from a Pet Camera?
For effective monitoring, look for cameras that offer at least 720p resolution, though 1080p is preferable. This ensures you can clearly see your dog’s body language and behaviour, the signs of separation anxiety can be very subtle so we need that good image quality and not just a grainy or jumpy security cameras we used to use before.
How Important is Two-Way Audio in Reducing Anxiety?
Not much at alll, while talking to your pet through a two way device might instinctively feel like the right thing to do, two-way audio often just be confusing for the dog.
Being able to speak to your dog is often a hiuge selling pointfor interactive pet cameras, and while remote training for operant behaviours is useful (see can a robt train my dog) it’s not helpful as an attempt to try and soother them on an ongoing basis.
What Role Does Treat Dispensing Play in Comforting Your Dog?
Treat dispensing can serve as a positive distraction and reinforcement in dogs who may be struggling with some other type of along time problem or separation related behaviour, it rewards the behaviour of not reacting to you levaing, but it is typically operant training – you stay on a mat and you will get treats for staying here, or the treat flinging means the dog doesn’t get so frustrated.
This can be useful for teaching a puppy who is not showing signs of distress or anxiety at being left on their own. and simply needs training and teaching being on your own is fine, but it’s highly unlikely to help a dog who panics as soon as you step out of your front door.
The other thing to think about is that a food toy that comes out when you’re about to leave, is the wrong way around for creating positive assocations to things that scare a dog.
When we do counter conditioning training as a part of behaviour modifcation training, we do scary thing and THEN food, to pair the fear inducing scary thing with something that makes the dog feel better about it. If you do food and THEN scary thing, the food becomes a predictor for the scary thing happening.
Check out the following blog to learn about how we don’t use food in the departure part of separation anxiety training, it’s complex.
Why is Motion Detection Important in a Pet Camera?
Motion detection alerts you to your dog’s activity, allowing you to check in when they’re moving around. This can help you identify patterns in their behavior and intervene if necessary.
Should I Get a Camera with Video Recording?
Yes preferably one that can do onboard storage as it’s cheaper, but having stuff saved in the cloud is fine as well, just check your storage. You’ll want to be able to review the footage and really assess your dog’s behaviour and body language to help move along with departure training in order to fix separation anxiety.
Best Pet Cameras for Dog Separation Anxiety UK?
The following list are my favourites for monitoring dog’s behaviour when their owner leaves.
Based on user reviews and expert recommendations, the following pet cameras stand out for helping dogs with separation anxiety, including features like cloud storage.
1. Tapo TP Link
2. Ring Indoor Camera
3. Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Camera
4. Google Nest Cam
What Makes the Tapo Pet Camera Stand Out?
Firstly, it’s cheap, which means you can by multiple ones and we get to see what your dog is doing at all times when you’re gone.
This is so important to Certified separation Anxiety Trainers so we get a really clear picture of what your dog is doing, and what their body language is telling us.
How Does the Ring Indoor Cam Compare?
The entry level Ring Indoor camera offers a wide-angle lens, 1080p HD VIDEO, Alexa integration, and the ability to link other devices around your home. If you already have a Ring Doorbell then the Ring ecosystem is one you’re probably used to.
The entry lebvel model, does not have pan or tilt, but having used this with clients, the wide angle gives you a really good view especially if you shell out for a couple.
It also has a nice privacy cover, so when you come home you don’t need to unplug the camera, you can just use the inbuilt blind to stop the camera spying on you.
What Are the Unique Features of the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Camera?
The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Camera has many of the featured of the standard ring indoor camers but it can also pan and tilt to give you maximum coverage.
This helps you get the perfect 360 degree view from your hoohnone and lets you get the perfect angle to watch your dog when monitoring their separation problems.
Is the Google Nest Cam a Good Option for Dog Owners?
The Google Nest Cam offers excellent video quality and easy integration with other google home devices. It can tell between people and dogs, and alerts you via your google home app. It has a wide-angle lens make it a strong contender if you are already in the google ecosystem.
How to Use Pet Cameras Effectively for Separation Anxiety Training?
Having a home CCTV network of pet cameras set up and ready to go is the best way to monitor your dog, without you having to set up the video recorder, or tablets and phones as they can easily become a pre departure cue and a sign to your dog that you might need to start worrying.
Learn more in my article on pre departure cues in dog separation anxiety training.
What Steps Should You Take Before Leaving Your Dog Alone?
Before leaving, ensure your dog has had their needs met. Going for a sniffy walk, making sure they have been to the toilet and are fed, are comfortable and has access to their bed, toys, and water. Have the cameras in a location where you can clearly see your dog’s main living area, and also place one at exit points and windows so you get a full 360.
How Can You Monitor Your Dog’s Behavior Through the Camera?
Regularly check in on your dog through the app that comes with your pet cameras means you can see what they sre up to second by second. Look for signs of distress such as excessive pacing, barking, or destructive behaviour, but remember we don’t want to keep leaving them like this and it’s importnat you start separation training, either on your own or with a professional.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Shows Signs of Anxiety?
If you notice signs of anxiety, you should return home or have a trusted friend check on your pup, then think about ho you’re going to help your dog be comfortable with alone time.
Additional Tips for Managing Dog Separation Anxiety
How Can Training Help Alleviate Separation Anxiety?
Gradual exposure and desensitisation will help your dog to cope with being alone and can significantly reduce separation anxiety. Start with short periods of separation, where your dog is under the stress threshold, and gradually increase the duration to ease separation anxiety. Yes, this might be merely a second of you hanging out by the front door to begin with, as you watch your dog.
What Environmental Changes Can Help Your Dog Feel More Secure?
Creating a safe, comfortable space for your dog can help reduce anxiety. This might include leaving on soothing music, providing puzzle toys, or using calming pheromone diffusers during a training session.
Some people think using a crate is the answer, while crates and confinment areas can help in some cases, i’t simportant to leanr how to create train g a dog with separation anxiety so they don’t end up with barrier frustration or confirnmenet anxiety on top. Yikes!
When Should You Consider Seeking Professional Help?
As soon a spossible! The sooner you get help the better, and it’s why I offer a shorter duration programme for helping people to get a jump start on their dog’s separation problems as well as my longer term more intensive packages where people get daily instruction and support.
If your dog’s separation anxiety persists despite your efforts, consult with a professional certified separation anxiety dog trainer or companion animal behaviorist. We can provide personalised strategies to help your dog cope with separation.
Why is Choosing the Right Pet Camera Essential?
Selecting the right dog camera can make a significant difference in monitoring your dog’s separation related behaviour, we can only see what our dogs are up to by having this extra set of eyes and being able to spy on them!
Smartphones and Zoom will help in the short term, but I really feel having a deidcated set up makes life a lot easier when you’re doing daily departure training.
What Are the Next Steps for Dog Owners Dealing with Separation Anxiety?
If you’re dealing with a dog with separation anxiety, consider investing in a quality pet camera, or four! Combine this technology with training, environmental adjustments, and, likely, professional help to help your dog cope with separation better. Remember, every dog is unique, so be patient and willing to try different approaches to find what works best for them.
It’s always worth remembering that behaviour problems needn’t be behaviour problems forever and support is out there.
To book a call use the contact me page.
