|
Separation Anxiety in Dogs
What is Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a condition that causes dogs to display
panic symptoms in reaction to being left alone. Separation anxiety is marked by
panic so intense, that once the owner is gone, the dog tends to display
destructive behavior. Destructive behaviors commonly involve digging and
scratching near windows or doors in attempt to escape and find their owner,
chewing on things in order to direct their anxiety, or barking or whining in
effort to get their owner.
How to Help Your Dog Overcome Separation Anxiety
Before attempting to overcome separation anxiety with your dog, it
is important to note that yelling, punishing, or ignoring your do when it
exhibits such behavior will not solve the problem. Punishing and yelling
will worsen the situation by increasing the dog's overall anxiety, and
combine it with fear of the owner. Here are some helpful tips to aid your dog
in overcoming separation anxiety:
Use basic obedience training in order to set yourself up as a caring and trustworthy Alpha.
Once this is done, it will be easier for your pet to understand that you'll be
leaving the house without feeling anxious. A good program to follow is
the "no free lunch" training program.
Exercise!
Make sure that your dog gets plenty of time for exercise and play each day.
Stored-up energy can turn into nervous energy once your dog is alone.
Change up Departure Routine. Dogs can sense that you are about to leave by cues
such as putting on shoes or gathering keys and purses. Try changing up
your departure routine or doing some of these routines without leaving to
desensitize your dog to these cues.
Pet Fido Once he is Calm. Do not give your dog
excessive amounts of attention upon arriving home. This includes
constant touching/petting, babying fearful behavior, or giving overexcited
greetings when arriving home from an absence. Reward the dog with
attention only once it has calmed down.
Play music while you're gone. CDs are great options because it
gives you control over what your dog hears and gives the pet something to
focus their attention. Music for pets can be soothing just as
it is for humans.
Provide the essentials. Ensure that while you're away from
your dog, they have everything they need in order to be comfortable. Examples
include food, water, a comfortable spot to lie, and toys.
Positive Reinforcement. Reward your dog's calm behavior
with treats or mild attention. This will motivate calm behavior by positive
association.
Find a dog Walker. Dogs are social pack
animals and thrive on companionship. If you are gone for eight or
more hours a day, consider finding a dog walker or a doggie day care
center. It is also not reasonable to expect a dog to hold
their bladder or bowels for more than four hours.
Create a scavenger hunt
for your dog by hiding a few treats toys in places that will be fairly easy
for your dog to locate. This will establish a positve association with your
departure.
Combine an all natural calming supplement with training.
| 
