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Separation anxiety in dogs

Separation anxiety in dogs

Does your dog chew shoes or even nibble on the furniture as soon as you leave the house? Even if it is difficult, you should not get mad at your dog, as it is very possible that your dog is suffering from severe separation anxiety. There are many ways that dogs can experience separation anxiety, such as barking excessively, destroying furniture, urinating, or putting down poop around the house, and Separation anxiety in dogs. In some cases, dogs go so far as to injure themselves trying to escape. If you want to help your cheap golden doodle puppies for sale overcome separation anxiety, you should find out beforehand whether your dog will only show these symptoms when you leave the house or when he is alone. Then, if he does too, you can rule out other potential problems like incontinence or youthful destruction.

On this page

  • What is separation anxiety in dogs?
  • Development of separation anxiety in dogs
  • How to help a dog with separation anxiety
  • How to calm a stressed dog down

What is separation anxiety in dogs?

Dogs then often show very hectic, stressed, and desirable dog behavior as soon as they realize that their owner is leaving them. This can increase in retrospect, even if there are only a few minutes of excitement in the situation. Many dog ​​owners often conclude wrongly and think that their dog bitches or does things out of spite, but the dog is stressed and misses the proximity of its owner. Signs of separation anxiety in dogs include dilated pupils, wheezing heavily, trembling, and running around wildly. Behavioral problems such as refusing to feed, eating your own manure, destroying things in the house, fleeing the house and garden, or greeting your owner like a madman as if he hadn’t seen you in years.

Development of separation anxiety in dogs

Separation anxiety in dogs can have many causes, but in most cases, the cause is mostly unconscious with the owner. Here are a few reasons why separation anxiety can develop in dogs:

1. New owners

Dogs tend to become very attached to their owner. In fact, most dogs consider us not only as their owners but also as their relatives – their pack. Once a deep bond has been established and a breakup occurs, it can break down and lead to separation anxiety in the dog.

2. Neglect

It is said again and again that “a dog is not just a Christmas present”, but unfortunately it can still happen that our life becomes more stressful and we no longer have the time that our four-legged friends were used to. Instead of restructuring our everyday life to meet the needs of our dogs, it usually ends up with the dog getting less and less of us.

3. Change of processes

A change in the way they work can lead to a range of anxiety symptoms in dogs as they get used to how things are and what to do at certain times of the day. For example, if you get a new job and work longer, it can be very confusing for your dog as he will not understand why you are not home yet.

4. Scold or punish

Fearful behavior is not the result of disobedience or defiance. They are reactions out of an emergency! Once left alone, your dog will become more anxious and will have to try to cope with this flow of irritation. If you continue to punish your scared dog for it, his anxiety can get worse. This can lead to varying degrees of anxiety in dogs and even some type of panic attack.

Read More stress in dogs

How to help a dog with separation anxiety

Separation anxiety in dogs

If you can say of yourself ‘my dog ​​has separation anxiety but you are looking for a simple and quick solution – instead of getting to the bottom of the problem, your dog’s anxiety may never get better. Really take the time to understand your dog and maybe figure out the source of the problem. They can be rescued dogs that need reassurance, that are not comfortable with some things in the house alone or that only feel safe around you. In some cases, a few small changes can resolve your dog’s fear, but most of the time you will need fear dog therapy.

When it comes to dog separation anxiety, the goal is to train the dog’s underlying emotions and show them that they can enjoy, or at least accept, that they can be alone. You can do this by leaving your dog alone and making sure he is comfortable and doesn’t have to wait for you to return. There are a few things you can try to help your pooch through this difficult time.

How to calm a stressed dog down

1. Train your dog to be alone when you are in the house

Leave your dog alone in one room while you move to another part of the house. If your dog has severe anxiety, start with 5-10 second interval training and work your way up to 20-30 minute training over the next few weeks.

2. Make sure you exercise before you go

Give your dog at least 30 minutes of exercise (such as walking, running, or swimming) before leaving him alone. This can tire the dog and help him relax while you are away. A great way to help your dog with separation anxiety.

3. Don’t play a hello and goodbye like that

Dogs are very intelligent animals. If you get very emotional about leaving the house, the dog may take this as a warning signal and think something is wrong. It is better to see goodbye or come home for granted and to behave accordingly towards the dog. An emotionless farewell signals that it is no big deal and leaves the dog in better shape.

4. Dog crate / dog cage training

Knowing that you have a safe place in your crate can help some dogs. There the scared dog can withdraw if it is left alone. Nevertheless, there are also dogs for whom the dog crate causes even more stress and fear. Whether or not a dog cage is right for your scared dog is something you should watch carefully during training and when you leave him in there alone. If you show strong signs of stress (heavy wheezing, excessive despair, hectic attempt to escape, persistent howling and barking) you should perhaps stop crate training as it is not the optimal solution for your scared dog. Instead of a dog crate or cage, you could offer your dog a playpen as a safe place.

5. Leave comfortable things and background music

Things that have your smell can calm the dog down and take away his fear until you are back. Remove stressors such as a collar or dog leash if they have a negative impact on dog behavior. If you scatter dog treats around the house, the dog can go hunting while you are away. You can also try to calm your dog down with music from nature or a running radio. For some dogs, the background sound can make you feel safe and you may not feel alone.

6. Dog tranquilizers

If you’re looking for solutions to dog separation anxiety, dog sedatives could be a great alternative. These often include chamomile and lavender which will keep your scared dog relaxed and unstressed during your absence. These can be offered in the form of deliciously soothing dog treats or as a natural dietary supplement for dog anxiety treatment.