Top Tips for Overcoming Separation Anxiety
For many dogs, even the slightest change in daily routines can be
upsetting. In response, poor Fido may start acting disruptive or
destructive, especially when left home alone. He may resort to urinating
and defecating indoors, howling, chewing, pacing or trying to escape
from the house or yard. When these issues are accompanied by signs of
panic, distress or depression, they may indicate your pooch suffers from
separation anxiety.
But don’t fear—we’re here to help! When treating a dog with
separation anxiety, the goal is to resolve the underlying issue by
teaching him to enjoy—or at least tolerate—being left alone. Our experts
have put together a list of top tips for helping your pooch overcome
separation anxiety. Doctor Knows Best: The first step in tackling
behavior issues is to rule out any underlying medical problems that
might be causing your pet’s behavior. For example, if your pet is
urinating in the house, he might be suffering from a urinary tract
infection, bladder stones, diabetes or kidney disease—all of which can
cause urinary incontinence in dogs .
Conquer Fear: If your pooch suffers mild separation
anxiety, counter conditioning—or helping your dog associate being alone
with something good, like a tasty treat—might reduce or resolve the
problem. To develop this kind of association, offer your dog a food dispensing toy every time you leave the house. Dogs Need Jobs: Providing lots of physical and
mental stimulation is a vital part of treating many behavior problems,
especially those involving anxiety. Exercise can enrich your dog’s life,
decrease stress and provide appropriate outlets for normal behavior.
Plus, a tired dog doesn’t have much excess energy to burn when he’s left
alone! Prepare for Departure: Many dogs know when you’re
about to leave the house and will get anxious or prevent your departure
altogether. One way to tackle “predeparture anxiety” is to teach your
dog that when you pick up your keys or put on your coat, it doesn’t
always mean you’re leaving. For example, put on your boots and coat, and
then just sit down and watch TV instead of leaving. Take Baby Steps: If your dog’s anxiety falls more
on the severe side of things, try getting your pooch used to being alone
by starting small or “desensitizing” him to the cause of his fear.
Begin by introducing several short periods of separation that don’t
produce anxiety, and then gradually increase time spent apart over the
course of a few weeks .
Together We Stand: Any treatment for separation
anxiety requires that your dog never experiences the full-blown version
of whatever provokes his anxiety or fear. Avoid leaving your dog alone
except during desensitization sessions. If possible, take your dog to
work or arrange for a family member or dog sitter to come to your home
during the day. Keep it Mellow: All greetings—hellos and
goodbyes—should be conducted in a very calm manner. When saying goodbye,
just give your dog a pat on the head, say goodbye and leave. Similarly,
when arriving home, say hello to your dog and then don’t pay any more
attention to him until he’s calm and relaxed. Say No to Tough Love: Anxious behaviors are not the
result of disobedience or spite, so please don’t scold or punish your
dog if he doesn’t overcome his fear quickly. If you punish him, he may
become even more upset and the problem could get worse. Be patient, and
work with your pet until he feels comfortable and enjoys spending time
alone.
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CategoriesDog wisdomFoods not feed your dog games to play with your dog Good Manners house training tips Human and dog relationships Nose work Proper Socialization for your puppy Rewarding Good Behavior with Dogs Separation Anxiety Treats and Training visting a vet |
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