If your dog destroys your home or exhibits other negative behaviors while you are away, you may need to consider dog separation anxiety training.
A lot of dogs have problems with separation anxiety, particularly when they are puppies.
Dogs are extremely social animals that, before domestication, lived in packs in the wild. When your dog is separated from their pack, (you and your family), nervousness and even fear may occur.
Click Here To Stop Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety Problems
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Dogs
If you pup whines incessantly, howls, or barks for long periods of time whenever you leave them alone, they may be experiencing anxiety issues. Other symptoms include destruction of your home and property such as sofas, shoes, and articles of clothing? Many dogs will try to be close to the things that smell most like their owners while they are away, which unfortunately means that your shoes, clothing, and upholstery may be in for some problems.
If your dog scratches at doors or windows, or the walls of their pen or crate, that is another good indication that they have separation anxiety. They are likely trying to get out of wherever they are in order to go find you and reunite themselves with the pack.
Causes of Dog Separation Anxiety
Many breeds of dogs bond very strongly with their owners. The most basic cause of separation anxiety is that they miss you while you’re away. Deeper than that, they have been pack dogs for thousands of years and often feel more comfortable in groups. Puppies especially also may have a distorted sense of time and, because they have less experience of your comings and goings, may start to worry if you will ever return home again.
Uncorrected anxiety issues can lead to larger problems once your puppy gets older, so it is crucial that you deal with their issues as quickly and correctly as possible.
Dog Separation Anxiety Cures
- Attention – Every time you come back home, be careful not to immediately lavish your pooch with attention. In fact, ignore them completely for about 5 minutes. Wait for them to calm down and then pet them calmly. You can give them a treat at this time as well if you would like to, as long as they remain calm. This will help your pet to associate your leaving with the positive outcome of attention and treats when you return home.
- Exercise – Whenever possible, take your dog out for a walk or run before you leave home. This will help ensure that they are well exercised and that they will likely fall asleep after you leave rather than getting nervous and eating your new open-toed sandals. Also, don’t make a big deal out of leaving so that they remain as calm as possible.
- Timing – Especially with younger puppies, changing the timing and amounts of time that you’re gone for can help minimize their anxiousness. Leave for a few minutes at a time rather than 8 or more hours every time you leave. This will help keep your pooch from worrying that you will be gone for long periods of time every time you leave.
Dog Separation Anxiety Training can start as soon as you recognize the symptoms and should last until your pet is cured.
Click Here To Stop Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety Problems
Related Articles:
Potty Train a Puppy
Golden Retriever Training
How to Stop a Dog From Biting
Beagle Training
Separation Anxiety in Puppies
Back to Home Page: Dog Obedience Training | Dog Training Tips
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
