Dogs love being near their owners. The attention they receive and the comfort they feel makes them happy. When their owners leave the home (to go to work, run errands, etc.), dogs miss their company. This is a normal dynamic between owners and their pets. But many canines become overly anxious when their owners leave. They experience such a high level of distress that their reaction to their owner’s absence becomes problematic. This is called separation anxiety.

This article will provide an overview of separation anxiety, beginning with common warning signs that suggest your pooch may be emotionally stressed when you leave him. We’ll explain the first step to take and offer a few helpful suggestions for modifying his behavior and helping him cope with your absence.

Warning Signs Of A Problem

The first sign that your canine may by experiencing separation anxiety when you leave him is a tendency to follow you when you walk throughout your home. Sometimes, this is mere curiosity. Your pooch wants to know where you’re going. Other times, the behavior may be due to his lack of comfort with being left alone. This might stem from a fear of being abandoned (perhaps due to an experience with a past owner).

Often, there are no visible signs of separation anxiety while you’re at home. It may only manifest when you leave. In such cases, you might return home and discover that your dog has eliminated inside your house or destroyed furniture. He might also begin to drool and whine immediately after seeing you. These types of responses indicate emotional stress. If you observe them, it’s likely your canine is suffering some level of separation anxiety.

Make An Appointment With The Veterinarian

This behavioral problem can be triggered by many factors. Moreover, the warning signs you noticed might be due to factors that are completely unrelated to separation anxiety. For example, your dog may bark excessively if he suffers a loss of hearing or considers another animal a threat. Successfully modifying the behavior depends heavily on identifying the cause.

Take your canine to his veterinarian to make sure the behavior is not triggered by a physical ailment. The vet can perform a few tests (i.e. blood count, blood pressure, etc.) to determine whether medical issues are causing or exacerbating the problem. If there are no physical issues, the veterinarian may recommend medications to comfort your dog.

Tips For Shaping The Behavior

If the stress suffered by your canine is severe, his veterinarian may suggest working with a dog behavioral specialist. Otherwise, with patience and persistence, you can shape your pooch’s behavior at home.

First, only show attention to your canine during times when he is calm. This helps him make the connection that you want him to relax in your presence (as opposed to drooling or jumping). Use his favorite dog treats to motivate his compliance.

Second, train him to keep calm when he observes you going through your normal departure routine. Canines pick up on their owners’ habits very quickly. Whether you put on your shoes, shave, or reach for your car keys, these cues may trigger his separation anxiety. Go through your normal routine at different times throughout the day without leaving your home. Realize that you may need to do this for a few weeks before it has a noticeable effect on your dog’s behavior.

Third, avoid showing too much emotion toward your canine when you’re about to leave him. Instead, disregard him during the twenty or thirty minutes prior to leaving. If you tone down your departure, your canine will eventually begin to do the same. Related to this, temper your enthusiasm when you return home. This too, will gradually encourage your pooch to remain calm.

Separation anxiety can be extremely frustrating for owners, especially in the case of elimination inside the home and destruction of personal belongings. Remember, your dog is expressing his desire for your company. Be patient and work with him to modify his behavior. He’ll slowly become a more pleasant companion.

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Category: Pets
Keywords: dog, seperation anxiety,