What to do when your dog has canine separation anxiety

The techniques in this article will give you a proven cure for separation anxiety in dogs. This totally works, so follow the steps exactly and remember that persistence is the key to any successful dog training regimen. Separation anxiety in dogs should NOT be ignored. It is a major gateway to other dog behavior problems.

If your dog shows signs of resentment or anxiety when you leave him, there are vital actions you need to take as quickly as possible.

When I first adopted my dog ​​Duncan from an animal shelter, I couldn’t be happier. He was just the cutest little boy-Only 5 months old at the time. I was very lucky with such a young and healthy puppy.

Duncan was just the happiest little fellow. He would follow me EVERYWHERE.

He slept at the foot of my bed every night. He excitedly ran to me every time I walked through the door. He was my shadow and a loving one at that.

The whole time, I missed how attached Duncan was getting. He cried restlessly every time he left him to go out. Furthermore, he displayed resentful behavior whenever he left him for a night out. He’d come home to chewed-up shoes, a torn rug, or an accident on the rug somewhere.

The fact was that none of Duncan’s behavior was incidental. He was trying to give me a message. He was saying “don’t leave me ma’am, or you’ll come home to chaos”. Duncan was secretly trying to train me not to give up on him.

I had read about dog separation before, but this was my first challenge in experiencing it first hand.

What is dog separation anxiety?

Dog separation anxiety is a behavior that dogs display where they startle at the first sign that you are leaving the house or their side for any period of time.

Your dog is so attached to you that the idea of ​​abandonment enters his brain the moment you are out of sight. Dog separation anxiety is usually manifested by the following symptoms…

***** SYMPTOMS OF SEPARATION ANXIETY FROM THE DOG *****

• signs of resentment
  • Chewing on things when you are out or away
  • Urinates or defecates inside your home when you are away
  • Barking, whining, crying or howling for your departure
• Does not show guilt for items destroyed during your time away
  • leads to further disobedience
  • change the hierarchy relationship of the package
  • Can create anxiety-induced aggression over time
• Savage to greet you on arrival
  • leads to jumping on the guests
  • Can lead to behaviors like leg humping
  • Your dog is too clingy and refuses to be ignored
  • can create hostility with other dogs
  • can create general anxiety behavior of the dog around strangers
• He cries continuously when he doesn’t sleep next to you.
  • sleepless nights
  • leads to long-term health problems
  • interferes with your quality of life

***** CAUSES OF SEPARATION ANXIETY FROM DOG *****

Don’t feel guilty if your dog shows signs of separation anxiety. It’s not your fault.

Realistically, most dog owners will experience some degree of dog separation anxiety at some point during the adoption of their puppy. Most of the time, cubs cry at night when they are first separated from their mother.

A good cure for this is to wrap a watch in a thin blanket and put the watch in the puppies’ bed during bedtime. The ticking of the clock creates a calming sensation of her cub’s mother’s heartbeat. This can work well if implemented consistently from the time you adopt your puppy.

Understand that just because your pup is displaying symptoms of separation anxiety from the dog, you don’t necessarily have a big problem on your hands. Suffering from severe separation anxiety in dogs is probably what got you here, so don’t assume your sleepless newborn pup is a giant red flag.

Chances are, you are experiencing some of the more worrisome signs listed above.

So what is causing dog separation anxiety in your pet?

It could be a number of factors. The most common are listed below…

• Boredom: Your dog may be restless. Maybe he isn’t getting enough exercise or dog training during the day. If you’ve been slacking off giving your dog POSITIVE attention, he’ll make sure you give him ANY kind of attention. Most of the time, he will rebel and you will be forced to pay attention to him because of his negative behavior.
• Lockdown: Before you begin crate training your pet, find out if the breed is well suited to this type of confinement. Some dogs will panic inside the crate, trash their bedrooms, and turn on you the moment they get out. Monitor your dog’s response to your training and adjust accordingly. Some dogs are better trained in a closed room than in a crate.
• Not being adequately socialized: If you don’t take your pup around other pets and people often, he may spook at the first sign of strangers. Dogs that are not properly socialized do not understand their place in the pecking order of outside animals and people. This can lead to general anxiety outside the home and confusion when left alone with strangers or other dogs. They may feel the protective need to be bossy with newcomers.
• Trauma: If your dog is from a shelter and has been abused or mistreated by previous owners, he may have trust issues with you. The first sign of your abandonment will send him into a rage of confusion and panic. The trauma doesn’t have to be as dry as this, either. Perhaps his pet is terrified of thunder and lightning. The trauma of being scared in a storm by itself can lead to more fears of being alone.
• Changes in usual routine: I have said it over and over again. When you start a dog training routine with your pet, consistency is key. Your dog learns through repetitive lessons and rules. When these rules change, your dog will feel confused and anxious. Learn about his training routine before adopting a puppy. The routine should include the times of the day when you feed your dog, take him for a walk, train him, put him to sleep, train him… everything.

***** SOLUTIONS TO DOG SEPARATION ANXIETY *****

The strategies below should go a long way in eliminating this dog behavior problem…

• Create a comforting environment: Make sure that when you leave the house, your dog has plenty of water and warm, comfortable bedding. Leave your dog a blanket or article of clothing with her scent on it. Make sure it’s something your dog can chew without worry.
• Food for thought: When possible, try to feed your dog just before you leave the house.
• Relaxing sounds: If you normally have the TV or radio on when you’re home, try leaving it on when you leave the house. This can be relaxing for your pet and give him a sense of normalcy when you’re away.
• Exercise away from anxiety: It is important that your dog is stimulated with regular exercise and training. Take your dog out for a long walk, exercise, or long training session before you leave the house. He’ll be exhausted and tired by the time you leave and won’t suffer from boredom-induced separation anxiety. He takes it out and it will stay in your absence.
• adopt a friend: Although it’s not guaranteed to get rid of dog separation anxiety, buying another pet to keep him company will likely reduce his boredom.
• Minimize your Exits: NEVER make exits a big problem. Pay very little attention to your dog when he is about to leave. This tactic is best implemented when you first get your puppy, but it can still be very effective if your dog is a bit older. It sounds cruel, but ignoring your dog for 10 minutes and then walking out the door creates a better transition for your separation.
• Greeting Etiquette: I know it’s hard, but avoid exaggerated greetings when you get home and see your dog. Try to stay calm and warm. Positive reinforcement or enthusiasm should be reserved for praising your dogs’ good behavior. I’m not telling you to be cold to your dog, but if separation anxiety is a problem, here are the steps to take.
• Separate practice time: Try to put your dog outside in the backyard during scheduled times of the day. Stop him from following you around the house. Force some alone time between the two of you.