Canine Separation Anxiety Is Real!

By Chocolate

Your excitement in getting a new puppy or dog may be diminished if you notice signs that he is experiencing separation anxiety. These are real feelings he is experiencing and so it will take a little time and a lot of your patience to help him get over his anxiety.

It is not known why some dogs feel this anxiety, but you need to do whatever you can to help him get over these feelings.

Some of the symptoms listed below could indicate to you that your puppy is stressed:

• *Barking, whining or howling excessively, especially when you leave him alone or you are out of his sight.
• *Unusual behavior of urinating, defecation inside the home.
• *Chewing or licking their paws until they are bloody.
• *Frantic pacing and signs of panic.
• *Digging or clawing at doors and windows, or any other house destruction signs.
• *Overly excited at seeing you return.

At first, if you don't actually realize your dog is experiencing separation anxiety, his behavior will probably upset you and you may become very angry and yell or punish your dog. This will NOT help his behavior. Your dog is actually feeling panicky and frightened when you are not near him. He is not trying to get back at you for leaving him alone. He can't reason in that way. He just doesn't realize you are going to come back.

To help your dog, you need to stop and realize what he is feeling, and figure out a way that you can help him. These feelings occur generally when there is a change in his routine. These changes are a sense of confusion, through the eyes of your dog. He is not retaliating because of the change it is just that the change has taken him out of his comfort zone.

Some situations that could cause these feelings of separation anxiety are:

1. being boarded in a kennel, then being returned home
2. moving to a new home
3. new members in a home, such as a baby
4. being a rescue dog
5. moving from a shelter to your home
6. a change in your routine, like a new work schedule
7. leaving your dog at home while on vacation, even though someone comes in everyday to feed and provide water for him
8. thunderstorms or violent windstorms when he is alone

Basically, he is afraid to be left alone or be out of your sight.

There are a couple of things you can do to help him adjust and get over his separation anxiety.

1. Do things you would normally do to get ready to leave, but don't leave. Examples of this is locking all of the house doors, putting on your socks and shoes, getting your keys out, etc.

2. Leave for one minute, and then come back into the house, increasing the time you are gone over a period of time. You should do this several times a day.

3. Leave in the car, drive around the block or down the street, and return home in a brief amount of time. Continue this for several days.

What won't help is:
1. punishment
2. getting another dog
3. leaving a radio or TV on

Obedience training helps when you are with him, but it does not help when you are away.

If you try your best, even after talking with your vet to get his ideas, in extreme cases, you may need to medicate him when you leave. Only use this as the last resort, and at the suggestion from your vet. Never give him any human medication! It could poison him.

Don't get discouraged. Love your pet, and help him get over these separation anxiety feelings. He just feels you are his 'safety net", you are his comforter, his companion, and he wants to be near you.

Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian nor do I have any formal training in any medical field. This article is not to replace the advice of your veterinarian. I am only providing options and ideas that you may want to discuss with your veterinarian



Category: 0 comments

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)