What is Separation Anxiety?
When you leave the house, it is nice to know that your dog goes to his favorite spot and sleeps peacefully until you return. However dogs suffering from separation anxiety are not so lucky. Separation anxiety can appear in dogs that have not been properly socialized, dogs that have been moved from one home to another and dogs that are naturally nervous.
Your dog is a social, pack animal who relies on the others (you) for individual protection and security. Dogs that lack confidence, due to socialization issues, understanding of expected behavior, or possible maltreatment in the past (adopted dogs), are more likely to exhibit behaviors related to separation anxiety
Essentially, when you leave to go to work, or even just to the corner store for five minutes, you dog becomes upset, stressed and confused. Dogs with separation anxiety can do everything from whining and barking, to ripping apart your couch and eating your duck feathered pillow.
How do I know if my dog has Separation Anxiety?
There is much debate over the cause of separation anxiety. some believe it is a lack of confidence that causes the dog to rely to much on their humans. In this case, you have to teach your dog to accept the fact that you are leaving, and it's going to be ok.
If you have a dog with separation anxiety, you will know. Dogs will usually exhibit a combination of the following:
- The behavior often occurs when the dog is left alone.
- The dog makes a Abig deal@ when his owner leaves, or comes home.
- Well left alone the dog will exhibit behavior which is not common to his normal behavior.
- The dog may not eat if the owner is not in the room
- The dog will follow his owner around constantly
What ever the cause is, here are some techniques for solving the problem.
What can be done?
Make your Departure and Arrival Routine
Make your dog realize that your departures and arrivals are nothing to get excited over. Usually the dog feels the greatest amount of anxiety shortly after you leave. Therefore you need to practice with your dog the "routine" of coming and going.
Lots of Exercise!
Exercise is believed to relieve stress in both humans and dogs alike. A long walk, run, or play session prior to leaving can go a long way in helping to reduce the stress and anxiety of your dog.
Give Your Dog Something to Do While You Are gone.
If your dog has something entertaining to do while you are away, he will be less likely to become stressed and anxious. A stuffed Kong filled with a tasty treat is an excellent example.
Confine Your Dog While You Are Away
Some dogs are more comfortable being confined to their own Aden.@ A crate is an ideal space for your dog. A dog who is properly crate trained is less susceptible to get in to trouble while you are gone. If a crate is not an option, confine him to one room or limit access to the whole house.
Introduce Another Dog
If your dog has another companion to keep him company while you=re gone, it may help alleviate the boredom and tension caused while you are away. Of course this is only "one" option. There are many other factors to take into consideration before adding another dog to your home.
Set Aside Time For Four Dog
Make time during your day to give undivided attention to your dog. This time can be spent playing, teaching, or even just taking a nap together. If possible, try to make this one-on-one time prior to departures.
Leave the Radio or TV On
Leave a radio on in a separate room. The dog will hear the voice and will feel less alone. Some people even leave voice recordings of themselves in hopes to calm the dog.
Depending on the severity of anxiety, you may need to contact a behavior specialist through your vet.
Ths website only provides BASIC information about Seperation Anxiety. your veterinarian is always your best source of health information. Consult your veterinarian for more information about Seperation Anxiety and its prevention.
If you have a dog with separation anxiety, you will know. Dogs will usually exhibit a combination of the following:
- The behavior often occurs when the dog is left alone.
- The dog makes a Abig deal@ when his owner leaves, or comes home.
- Well left alone the dog will exhibit behavior which is not common to his normal behavior.
- The dog may not eat if the owner is not in the room
- The dog will follow it=s owner around constantly
What ever the cause is, here are some techniques for solving the problem.
What can be done?
Make your Departure and Arrival Routine
Make your dog realize that your departures and arrivals are nothing to get excited over. Usually the dog feels the greatest amount of anxiety shortly after you leave. Therefore you need to practice with your dog the "routine" of coming and going.
Lots of Exercise!
Exercise is believed to relieve stress in both humans and dogs alike. A long walk, run, or play session prior to leaving can go a long way in helping to reduce the stress and anxiety of your dog.
Give Your Dog Something to Do While You Are gone.
If your dog has something entertaining to do while you are away, he will be less likely to become stressed and anxious. A stuffed Kong filled with a tasty treat is an excellent example.
Confine Your Dog While You Are Away
Some dogs are more comfortable being confined to their own Aden.@ A crate is an ideal space for your dog. A dog who is properly crate trained is less susceptible to get in to trouble while you are gone. If a crate is not an option, confine him to one room or limit access to the whole house.
Introduce Another Dog
If your dog has another companion to keep him company while you=re gone, it may help alleviate the boredom and tension caused while you are away. Of course this is only "one" option. There are many other factors to take into consideration before adding another dog to your home.
Set Aside Time For Four Dog
Make time during your day to give undivided attention to your dog. This time can be spent playing, teaching, or even just taking a nap together. If possible, try to make this one-on-one time prior to departures.
Leave the Radio or TV On
Leave a radio on in a separate room. The dog will hear the voice and will feel less alone. Some people even leave voice recordings of themselves in hopes to calm the dog.
Depending on the severity of anxiety, you may need to contact a behavior specialist through your vet.
Ths website only provides BASIC information about Seperation Anxiety. your veterinarian is always your best source of health information. Consult your veterinarian for more information about Seperation Anxiety and its prevention.
For more great articles and tons of other great info visit our dog forum, visit Ron's blog or visit our dog forum
maid service near Lake Forest ..Fleas belong to the insect order Siphonaptera. They are common... Read More
Thanks to Disney's Motion Picture 'Finding Nemo,' almost everybody is... Read More
Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most... Read More
An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
Do you have a puppy that jumps on you, company... Read More
Every day, people by the millions pour food from a... Read More
Still remember that very moment when you first laid your... Read More
On the surface playing Frisbee with your dog may seem... Read More
Pomeranians have tiny mouths and itty bitty teeth, but not... Read More
Guinea Pigs make great pets and are fairly easy to... Read More
Since having a dog is such a common thing, do... Read More
Would you like to save money and have a healthier... Read More
Pregnant cats have to eat for two, three, four, five,... Read More
Reading a pet food label, how difficult can it be?... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
Problems with Commercial Flea Killers & TraditionalFlea Bite Treatments***Chemicals that... Read More
Mention the word "video" and different people would come up... Read More
* Lock things up that could cause harm* Keep the... Read More
The trick of "sitting up" is easily taught to small... Read More
My two therapy dogs, Nikki and Benny, bring joy to... Read More
Ozzie, my four-month old Rottweiler peered up at me with... Read More
Everyday someone asks me, "How do you start a pet-sitting... Read More
After years of practicing both conventional and holistic medicine for... Read More
MuttShack Foundation for Animal Foster and Rescue, claim that dogs... Read More
top rated cleaning service Des Plaines ..To teach a dog to jump, with your right hand... Read More
Are cats and children a good mix?So, you had a... Read More
Knowing how to feed your betta is fundamental, because doing... Read More
Oscar is kind of a funny name and it fit... Read More
Toy dog breeds include greyhounds, terriers, pinschers, pugs, chihuahuas, pekingese,... Read More
Gain some insight into how your favorite feline actually feels... Read More
So you'd like to know how to build a dog... Read More
Man's Best Friend is a great companion around the home,... Read More
Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More
The greatest benefits of ownership is knowing that your property... Read More
Part 2: Protecting your petIf you own a cat, then... Read More
It goes without saying that your dog needs suitable nutrition... Read More
Over the last 15 years, I have raised nine orphaned... Read More
You may wish to consider a chinchilla as a possible... Read More
Mistake #1:"Here, Kitty Kitty..."Unless they have been educated, new horse... Read More
Your dog's dental health is so important for his total... Read More
Taurine, a water-soluble amino acid, has recently become the topic... Read More
It has been said that everything old is new again.... Read More
Let's face it ? everything is cute when it's small... Read More
Lots of folks are picky about their vet, and for... Read More
One of the best parts of the day for any... Read More
It's been weeks since you went riding. Now you have... Read More
Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier,... Read More
Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is... Read More
Dog Shock CollarsDog shock collars are a touchy subject among... Read More
Pet |