First Coast Pet

Posts Tagged ‘dog separation anxiety’

I highly recommend that all dog owners crate their dogs.Some folks believe that crating your dog is mean.    This couldn’t be farther from the truth.   Dogs have a den instinct and a crate is a great way to give them a den where they can go to sleep and feel safe.A dog in it’s den is naturally relaxed and settled.I strongly advise you to crate your dog.  It will help with dog separation anxiety

There are a couple of added benefits to crating your dog separation anxiety.  The first thing that crating your dog gives you is peace of mind while you are gone.In order to make sure your dog is comforable in their crate, make sure they can stand and lay down sideways.   Take your dogs collar off before you crate them.  Collars can get stuck in both wire and Vari-Kennel crates., dog have been killed from this.

If your pet has chewed furniture or caused household damage, this is the fastest and easiest way to ensure that this no longer happens is to crate you dog when you are gone.Bitter Apple from the pet store can be used to coat the spots in the crate your dog chews.    If you have a dog that can break out of their crate, you simply need a stronger crate.   Some people need to buy aluminum crates to hold their dogs.

Another benefit of crating your dog is that they are less likely to have accidents in the house. A dog will do its best not to soil its den.If your dog has accidents in the house and has severe separation anxiety, keeping your dog in their crate can reduce accidents and minimize the damage to your home.

Most dogs learn to love thier crate! I recommend providing a crate for your dog for it’s lifetime. You can always remove the door once your puppy has grown up and can be trusted. Of course, if your dog has separation anxiety, you’ll want to keep that door on!

Dog separation anxiety can be become a major, expensive problem when left untreated.  Be sure to spend the time to get the issues solved now!

Because dogs are such social animals, separation from their human family can be a very traumatic experience once the attachments have been formed. Dog separation anxiety can become a serious issue if not treated correctly, but it is a controllable behavior when given care and time.

When a dog is suffering from separation anxiety issues, there’s often bizarre behavior patterns. Certain dogs will become depressed and slow, and seem very sleepy. They will stop eating and drinking, and they might not leave very familiar areas to use the bathroom. Obviously, in a situation where the separation anxiety is that acute, there is a great danger of the dog becoming physically ill from malnutrition if it continues for any length of time.

Other dogs will show their problems with separation anxiety by extremely destructive behaviors. This behavior can take the form of extreme whining, barking, or howling, or destruction of property through means such as urinating or otherwise relieving themselves in and around your belongings. Even though this sort of behavior is considered a common way of displaying their anxiety, it’s certainly not what any pet owner wants to be forced to deal with.

But when your dog starts to feel fear at the idea of being separated from you or someone else in his “circle,” separation anxiety begins to take hold. Dogs that are extremely attached to their owners or family seem to suffer the most. This can happen when a dog spends all of his time with the owner when the owner is at home. They will be constantly looking for attention, and following their owner throughout the house all day. Usually, it’s completely the owner’s fault if their dog has been wrongly conditioned to be hyperattached to them. While there’s a certain joy in having your dog as your constant, adoring companion, you have to be responsible about encouraging a sense of independence as well, so when you are gone the dog doesn’t go into a panic.

Separation anxiety is a terrible ordeal for your dog to go through. In order to fix this issue, the attachment needs to be broken to some small degree. Your dog needs to learn independence. It is critical to the success of treatment for your dog’s separation anxiety. You’ll need to discourage the constant affection your dog lavishes upon you. Other people in your house can also care for your dog, and you can even show it how to play by itself or with others. Doing this may be difficult and you might feel as if you are being insensitive, but this is the beginning of the treatment that will end up dramatically improving both your and your dog’s quality of life.

Next, it’s essential to desensitize the dog to separation anxiety. Much of the anxiety that your dog suffers through can happen before you’ve even left them behind. Dogs are intelligent and observant. They will realize unfamiliar behaviors, such as rattling your keys, changing your clothes and turning off appliances – all of which are signals that you’ll be leaving soon. Obviously when they see this they realize you will be leaving and fear begins to set in. You can divert this behavior by acting as if you are leaving the house, but not actually going anywhere. The more you do this, the less the dog associates them with you being gone, and the calmer he becomes before you go out.

Of course, there are several other options available to you for help in alleviating separation anxiety. A lot of people have found that dog appeasement pheromones are successful in creating a sense of calm within the dog’s environment. Though odorless to humans, the pheromones create a more relaxing environment for your dog. You might also try leaving on the radio or TV to aid your pet’s separation anxiety.

Are you seeing the signs of dog separation in your pet?

Is he acting strangely and doing annoying things such as frequent unprovoked barking or destroying your furniture?

What really is separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a case wherein a dog gets stressed out whenever his master leaves him alone; typical signs of separation anxiety are frequent whining, pacing, chewing furniture, scratching wooden doors, raucous behavior that involves frequent barking and many more.

These are strong implications that your canine buddy is stressed and lonely; these activities are just his way of relieving the pressure he feels.

Methods to quell dog separation anxiety:

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

• Spend more time with your pets

Dogs that go through the separation anxiety experience need your help, as their owner you have the responsibility to tend for them and make them well.

There are a lot of things to be done if you want to help your dog cope with his condition, spending more time with him is a good start.

• Give him a space of his own

Dogs that suffer dog separation anxiety want to be beside their masters at all times, they are very clingy and will follow their owners wherever they go.

However, you can’t possibly be at their side 24/7 so this practice should be changed. Give him a spot of his own, a dog bed, and place to eat.

Designate a personal space for your dog that will serve as his play area; this move will aid your pet to develop independence.

Give your dog regular attention. This will make your companion realize that there is a proper time and place for everything.

• Train your dog

Dogs love to train; it gives him a notion that he shares a secure relationship with his owner as it enjoys having physical interaction.
Through daily fun training sessions, your dog will gain confidence and improved communication with you; they will mature faster and won’t act like spoiled brats anymore.

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

• Treat your dog with respect

Say goodbye to your pet dog before leaving your home; he would feel that he is important and cared for because you did not ignore him.

However, don’t overdo goodbyes as it may worsen the condition of your dog because sad and emotional goodbyes are known to exacerbate your dog’s anxiety.

When leaving make your goodbyes short and sweet.

No matter how frustrated you are never yell or be violent to your dog.

You should realize that your dog is not the problem but the condition he is in; scolding, yelling or hurting him would only make matters worse.

Dog Training Advice

Puppies are incredibly adorable. You probably want to spend a ton of time with your dog when you first get it. You need to spend time with your puppy to develop a strong bond, but you don’t spend too much time, or your puppy will be more likely to become anxious while you are gone. Your dog needs to understand that being left alone is normal. Puppies that do not learn to be left alone can develop puppy separation anxiety.

What Causes Dog Separation Anxiety.

When you first bring your puppy home, it is very common for the to whine through the first couple of nights. Understandably, they have just left their mother and litter, and have not yet bonded to you. When a dog is taken from their mother too early, or if the have had serious trauma they are more like to getissues than dogs taken after 8 weeks. Dogs that come from rescue organizations and mixed breeds get separation anxiety more often that pure bred dogs.

Symptoms in Puppies.

Mild signs of anxiety in dogs include whining, nervousness, and anxiousness when you get ready to leave home. Moderate signs include digging and scratching at doors and carpets, howling non-stop, and chewing on underwear or bedding. Puppies will sniff things that have your smell. Bad dog separation anxiety includes endless chewing, accidents in the house, and destroying furniture. Some dogs get so worked up that they injure themselves.

Solutions for Separation Anxiety in Puppies.

This behavior problem will not go away on its own, and needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. The best approach includes behavior modification training, natural remedies and patience. Fortunatly, dogs can learn good behavior fast. All you must do is show them how.  The top resource on the internet for canine separation anxiety can be found at the separation anxiety in puppies resource website.

If your dog seems to always over react to your leaving them home alone, then they could be suffering from canine separation anxiety.This can be a severe condition that can cause harm to your dog and your house. Canine separation anxity is a medical condition that should not be ignored. Good behavioral techniques are needed here to help your pet.

Separation anxiety is represented by a dog’s nervous reaction to their owner being away from them for a period of time, even if it is only in a different room. What is happening is the dog’s level of anxiety and excitement is unbalanced.

If you have a rescue dog from a shelter, you may find that this is a common occurence.Your new pet has already been abandoned once and thinks its going to happen again.Your dog needs to know that it isnt going to be repeated.Canine separation anxiety can often be seen as well in younger and the older dog.

Visit training dogs helpfor more help

If your dog seems to be suffering from separation anxiety, it may be because they are used to spending time with you. Whether you take your dog to the store with you, stay at home with them majority of the time or take them on vacation. If your dog is used to you being around ,they may start with separation anxiety when they are left.

You may experience something similar if you are a parent leaving a child in daycare for the first time,they can tend to cling. A child specialist would probably say, let your child know that you are going to work and will be back soon. Dogs need the same help.

The separation anxiety suffered by our pets can range in severity. A dog will show how it is going to react within about 45 minutes if not less. Some signs of canine separation anxiety include digging, scratching, whining, howling, soiling the house or show other obvious signs of distress. Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety may chew on your doors, window seals or anything they can find.

If you are suffering because your pet is suffering and need help fast see help with canine separation anxiety

There are several steps that may help your pet deal with their anxiety including medical help. You must remember that your dog is not doing this on purpose. They are simply dealing with the stress of their emotions. Punishment for things your dog may do during their anxiety while you are gone, does not help. It could actually make it worse

There are a few steps you can take, including making your departure and arrival something that they learn to expect and not making too much of a drama out of it, leaving them something with your smell and giving them the same word or phrase when you leve them. The use of repitition means that your dog will learn to associate the words with leaving but will also expect you back. A few test runs of picking up your keys and pretending to leave may help also with dealing with their anxiety, showing them that you do return.

Some other advice would be to enroll them in a doggy daycare, leave your dog with a friend or family member while you are away, or seek medical care for possible drug therapy. If your dog chews during their separation distress you could give them a chewing toy or bone to help.

Dogs love their owners and are attached to us just like our kids. You need to assure them that you are not leaving them for good and will be backYou can improve and solve canine separation anxiety but it can be a problem in the short term for dogs and the owner.

Click if you are desperate to solve canine separation anxiety

Most people who have had a pet with separation anxiety problems will nearly all agree that it can be an agonizing and stressful time for both of you. Something that needs to be said is that many myths surround the dog separation anxiety discussions and you will need to understand the difference between fact and fiction.

A few ways that will let you know if your pet truly has anxiety problems:

Anywhere that you go in your home he follows, never losing eye contact; Your pets attitude changes at all as you get ready to walk out the door;When your pet is left alone he urinates in the house.

Should your pet show any of the symptoms mentioned above he is more than likely suffering from a little bit of dog separation anxiety. Below are some of the better known myths about this behavior.

Help Your Dog Separation Anxiety

Our dog destroyed the house just because we left him home alone.

Yes, there are some pets who will tear things up because of dog separation anxiety but they are not doing it to punish anybody. No, it is the result of a lot of stress building up because he feels all alone.

If You Crate Your Pet, That Will Help

Sure, if you crate your pet he won’y tear stuff up, but it isn’t going to help his anxiety problems one little bit. There is the chance that by handling the behavior this way with a dog with this kind of problem, he could injure himself in his attempt to get free.

Dog Separation Anxiety Can Be Fixed Through Punishment.

This method will produce an opposite effect. When you go somewhere your dog is already anxious and uptight. Now just imagine how your dog feels when you walk through that door and he is met with some sort of punishment. Remember, this bad behavior is not intential, it is happening because he is feeling panic.

So, what is the solution for dog separation anxiety? There are different answers and they all depend on how severe the condition is. You can use simple methods for mild forms of anxiety. Try this, ignore him for a short time when you get home and then gently pet on him and avoid “Big Productions”.

A few people have found that if they left an item behind that had their scent on it, it seemed to help a dog with the mild form of separation anxiety find some comfort.

You will not be able to fix dog separation anxiety overnight, especially if it severe. If it is the severe form of anxiety you may want to leave your dog with friends or family while you are gone.

Dog separation and bad behavior are not the same, your dog is in misery and he is looking to you to come up with a solution that works.

Find Your Answers Here

By Sandra Scott

Puppy separation anxiety is anguish felt by puppies when they are left alone. When you leave home, your anxious pup may bark or whine. In addition, he may be destructive or have potty accidents. Dogs with a strong bond to their owner are likely to suffer from puppy separation anxiety.

Prevention of puppy separation anxiety can begin prior to adopting your dog or puppy. First of all, you should let your puppy be fully weaned away from his mom, normally by the time he is eight weeks old. Your puppy should be somewhat independent from his mother. Puppy separation anxiety may be experienced if the dog is taken away earlier.

For a great guide to solve your dog behavior problems, I recommend that you check out: Puppy Separation Anxiety.

As soon as your puppy is brought home, training to stop separation anxiety should be undertaken. Firstly, don’t make it a big deal when you leave your puppy on his own. Don’t tell your puppy you’re sad to leave him and give him extra hugs and kisses. At first, you should only leave your puppy alone for short periods. When you get home, you should act normally and not make a fuss.

Training may be more difficult if your dog already displays signs of puppy separation anxiety when you adopt him. Rest assured, your efforts will make it worthwhile. Adult dogs that experience separation anxiety were most likely shelter dogs or strays. It is highly probable that they had a rough life before being lucky enough to be adopted into your household. Stick with them! Often, these adult dogs will be more loyal and trusting.

Approximately fifty per cent of adult dogs will get better with the correct training. That said, your routine may need to be changed to make them less sensitive to being left on their own.

It may help a dog that experiences separation anxiety if you take a close look at his situation to determine the cause for his behavior. Just as with puppies, don’t make a big deal out of it when you leave the house. Start slowly by leaving these older dogs for a short while, gradually working up to a longer period of time.

When you leave, make sure you give your puppy plenty of distractions. Once the puppy separation anxiety has subsided, your pup will generally calm down with thirty minutes to an hour. While you are away from home, it’s a good idea to leave him with chewies or toys to keep him busy. This may assist him in getting over the first barrier. Another option is toys filled with peanut butter or cheese. It will take your dog some time to get to the treat and he will work away at it until he reaches it. This will make it easier for him to forget about his separation anxiety and the fact that you have left him alone.

Crate training is another good option. Crates are particularly effective for destructive dogs. Their crate should not be destroyed as they feel that it is their home. Your dog should feel positively about his crate so you should never use it to punish him. It is important for a dog to feel safe in his crate. You should provide him with treats and food while he’s in the crate so feels good about it. When your dog or puppy has convinced you that he will not destroy your home, leave him for a short while. You should leave the door of the crate open so your dog’s sanctuary is available to provide him with comfort.

Your veterinarian may have other suggestions to stop puppy separation anxiety. It is important to note that separation anxiety happens for many different reasons.

To learn how to prevent puppy separation anxiety, I recommend that you take a look at Secrets to Dog Training.

Are you are having problems with your puppy chewing your furniture and possessions. You may have now gathered that your little puppy can create a huge amount of damage, from picking at your carpet and scratching doors and floors, to chewing your brand new pair of very expensive shoes. As with any negative behavior, there is always a reason for chewing.

It is important to understand that it is natural and healthy for a puppy to chew. It is only when the chewing becomes destructive that it should be stopped. In this article the main reasons for chewing will be outlined together with details on how to stop this.

There are various reasons why your puppy is chewing your house to bits. The ones covered below include teething, boredom and separation anxiety.

Teething
At about 3-4 weeks your puppy’s teeth start to emerge. By 16 weeks they will start to fall out when the first permanent teeth start to come through. When their gums are sore, they chew to ease them.

Boredom
Young puppies are particularly prone to becoming bored. You need to provide them with stimulating activities and exercise. Left alone for a long time, your puppy may rapidly become bored and will turn to destructive behavior like chewing.

Separation Anxiety
Your puppy may start chewing in order to alleviate his stress and separation anxiety especially if he is left alone too long.

Once you know what the reasons for your puppy’s destructive chewing, it will help you to take appropriate action. Here are some tips to help you stop inappropriate chewing.

• Firstly, give your puppy a few specific toys. It is important that they are different in texture, taste and shape and are sturdy so your puppy does not become bored too quickly.
• By using these toys and playing regularly with your puppy, they will begin to have pleasant with them and are more likely to play with them when left alone.
• Put any items of value out of reach. You can also discourage your puppy from chewing your furniture and other objects by spraying something like Listerine or other anti-chew deterrent. The taste is not pleasant for the puppy and will prevent him from chewing.
• In the beginning it is important not to leave your puppy alone for extended periods of time. Begin with a short 10 minute period and gradually build up to longer absences.
• If you are away for a period of time or cannot watch your puppy, you could confine them either in a pen or crate.
• It is important to praise your puppy when you see him chewing appropriate items. This establishes the desired behavior through positive reinforcement. On the other hand if you see your puppy chew on something he shouldn’t, say something like “no” or “stop” in a stern voice. Consistently doing this will give a negative association.

Now that you appreciate the causes for your puppy’s chewing, you should be able to take appropriate action. It is very important to reward correct behavior and to consistently teach your puppy what he is allowed to chew and what he is not allowed to chew.

Check out these links to read more about stopping your dog chewing, dog separation anxiety and how to deal with boredom in your dog.