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Posts Tagged ‘puppy separation anxiety’

Dog separation anxiety is one of the most common hurdles dog owners have to handle.  There are many different reasons that dogs develop separation anxiety.  Among the typical reasons are changes in schedule, traumatic events, and lack of exercise. Dog separation anxiety symptoms are expressed in a number of ways

There are plenty of different symptoms.  Mild symptoms include changes in body language and whining.  Dogs with severe separation anxiety may wreck furnishings or injure themselves.  The majority of cases of dog anxiety can be solved using behavior modification training.

What is Behavior Modification Training

Behavior Modification is a type of dog training that is used to replace on type of behavior with another.  For example, Let’s say your dog pulls at the end of the leash when you walk him, you can teach him to heel using obedience (the heel command), or you can teach him to walk by your side by rewarding good behavior (walking next to you), and correcting or ignoring bad behavior (the pulling).  The best thing about behavior modification is that it teaches dogs to behave a certain way when you aren’t around to give the signal.

There are quite a few great exercises for dogs that have separation anxiety.  One of the ones that I recommend is a desensitization drill. When you are about to leave your house, you probably notice that your dog is already anxious.  Your dog has figured out that you are going to leave by the things you do, and the way you act before you go.  If your dog knows you are going to leave when you put on your coat, you simply put on your coat often.  Put on your jacket, pick up you keys, and go to the door throughout the day.  When you get to the door, turn around and go back to what you were doing before. Ignore your dog.  What you are doing is removing your dogs association with you leaving to the you putting on your coat. It takes a bit of time, but it’s worthwhile to put in the effort.  Once you have completed a bunch of desensitization drills, your dog will be relaxed and happy when you are away.

Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious problem, and won’t go away on it’s own.  Actually, it often gets far worse.  Don’t wait until your dog injures themselves, or ruins your home!  If you want to learn the secrets of behavior modification training, and how to cure canine separation anxiety, visit http://www.dogseparationanxietyhelp.com.

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

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.