Dog Separation Anxiety

Dog separation anxiety often relates to being left alone at home. In most cases, separation anxiety in dogs often leads to barking, whining, chewing, digging and other forms of dog destructive behaviors just so that he could get you back home to be with him, or to release the anxiety or energy built up while being left alone.

When you’re about to leave home, do you make a great fuss on your departure? If your answer is a big “Yes”, then you could be the one who had unintentionally trained your dog to behave such way while you’re away from home. Long-exaggerated and dramatic goodbyes often create more anxiety and stress in your dog and the only way to release this negative feeling is by barking, chewing, house soiling and such.

Signs of Dog Separation Anxiety

Refer to the following questions to determine if your dog has separation anxiety. If most or all of the answers are “Yes”, it is very likely that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety.

* When you return home, do you see any signs of your dog demonstrating any forms of destructive behaviors such as digging, house soiling and chewing?
* Does your dog follow everywhere you go?
* When you’re about to leave home, does your dog reacts with anxiety and depression?

Steps to Overcome Dog Separation Anxiety

Provide Your Dog With Lots Of Exercises and Playtime. Make sure to provide your dog with regular exercises and playtime. For example, when you’re planning to leave home, you can take your dog out for a walk so that he will be contented to sleep during the day while you’re away from home.

Provide Your Dog With Toys and Dog Treats. Providing your dog with some of his favorite toys and treats can decrease the feeling of boredom when he’s alone at home. Chew toys and chew bones works well to occupy his time when you’re gone.

Find A Companion For Your Dog. If you need to be away from home for long periods of time each day, getting a new canine companion for your existing dog will often improve on your dog separation anxiety problem. However, do seek for professional advice for guidance when introducing your new dog to the existing dog to prevent any aggression or dominance issues between the two dogs.

Avoid Making A Great Fuss On Your Departure. Long and dramatic farewell when you’re leaving creates more anxiety in your dog. Instead, by saying a brief “Goodbye, see you later!” works better to decrease the feeling of isolation and anxiety when he’s alone.

Regular Training To Overcome Separation Anxiety. Provide You need to train your dog to get used to your departure. For example, leave your dog several times a day for short periods of time, say 5-10 minutes, then comes back to him. Slowly and gradually leave your dog for longer periods of time and comes back to him so that he’ll understand it is okay to be home alone for awhile, you’ll come back to him soon.