Separation anxiety in dogs

Separation anxiety is common among dogs that do not socialize. It is common among dogs that are too attached to their owner or family members. Separation anxiety is the root cause of a myriad of behavioral and health issues among dogs. You will agree with me that most dogs with separation anxiety becomes very anxious and show distress behaviors like destruction, vocalization and house soiling when separated from owners. Dogs with separation anxiety are always close to owners; they want to be with their owners always, following them to wherever they are going, and they rarely spend time outside.

A frequent complaint of pet parents when their dogs develop the feeling of separation anxiety is that the dogs are destructive and disruptive when left alone in the house. Their dogs might defecate, urinate, chew, bark, howl and even try to escape. Even though these acts shows that you need to teach them polite house manners, these can be symptoms of stress.

Separation anxiety in dogs occurs when a dog is upsets of being separated from the people it is attached to. Dogs’ suffering from separation anxiety becomes agitated when their guardian or people they are attached to want to leave. Some feel depressed and anxious before the departure. Separation anxiety among dogs can lead to household destruction and self-injury.

How can I prevent separation anxiety 

Separation anxiety can be a horrible experience for your pet and concern to you. It is, however, essential for the pet parents to look for a way to stop their dogs from suffering from this separation anxiety. Below we will be considering some of the ways to prevent or stop your dogs from suffering from separation anxiety.

Graduated training

Graduated training is a way of training your dog to perform out of sight stay. You can do this by planning your absence to be shorter than the time it takes for your pet to get upsets. You can also teach your dog to sit down while you go out for a while to get something. Try to do this over and again and as your dog begin to get used to it, gradually increase the time you spend without your dog. During this session of training, behave calmly and quietly when going out and coming in and be sure to stay a few minutes between absences.

Train your dog to reduce anxiety at the time of your departure.

Ensure that you keep your dog busy or out of sight at departure in other to reduce anxiety. At your departure, give your dog exceptional food treat. Exercise can also help distract your dog as the dog will be enjoying herself while you leave. Be sure that the distraction device can last long so that the dog can continue to occupy herself until you are long gone.

Establish a predictable routine

Since the problem with your dog is anxious, you have to establish a predictable routine for your dog. You need to make your dog calmer and to predict whether you are home or away. You have to establish a daily routine that will help your dog to begin to predict when to expect attention. Try to schedule naps and object play at the time you want to leave the house.

Since you know that the problem with your dog is separation anxiety, try to reduce all forms of anxiety, especially at the time of departure and homecoming. Train your dog to learn the progressive longer period of no attention and separation while you are away.

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