Puppy Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is primarily a condition, where in the animal develops an exaggerated fear or dislike of being isolated from its owner. Not only in dogs, this condition is also common in parrots, mice, cats, etc. The condition of separation anxiety has its roots in the animal's extreme reliance or dependency on its owner. About 10% of all puppies and dogs come across suffering from a condition like this and to deal with it, it's no child's play.

Classic Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

The most prominent behavioral symptom that is indicative of this problem is your dog getting anxious and worked up the moment when it realizes that you are about to leave. Try to notice this behavior when you are picking up your car's keys or putting on your coat. These and many similar actions, may induce separation distress or anxiety in your pet.

Other separation behavioral signs your dog may exhibit when it is left alone include defecation in the house, urination in inappropriate places, whining, destructive behavior, yelping, excessive barking, fearfulness and vomiting. These may also be accompanied by other signs such as digging, panic attacks, howling, chewing, licking, self mutilation, escaping, diarrhea, loss of appetite, excessive salivation, depression, hypersensitivity, jumping through windows and crying. However, some of these symptoms like depression, hypersensitivity, etc. may indicate other medical conditions. Following you wherever you go and greeting with immense pleasure when you are back are also indicative of the condition.

How to Make Good-Byes Easier for Your Puppy?

Here are some tips which you use to lessen the feeling of anxiety that your pet develops while getting separated from you.

# The first step would be to prevent your puppy to be too dependent on you. This can be done by cutting short the time he spends with you and teaching him that he need not always be close to you. So, ignore all his attention seeking behavior like barking, jumping, clinging, etc. Proceed gradually (say for 5 - 10 minutes for the first day) and go on extending the time. However, there should be no change in his exercise schedule, sleeping and feeding.

# The next step is to help yourself from abstaining from bidding long and emotional good-byes to your pet, when you are leaving him for the day. I know, it may be a bit of a heart-breaking scenario to leave your cute, cuddly and furry little doggy alone in the house. But remember, you are doing this for his own betterment. So, while you are leaving, simply pat him and leave. Turning back or returning to reassure your dog actually worsens the condition of separation anxiety.

# Then comes the step where you would try to take your pet's mind off the various triggers that induce separation distress in it. This is about making your puppy least bothered to the actions you do, when you are about to leave the house. So, start by putting your coat on, putting on your shoes and picking the car's keys. You might notice your pet to slowly become anxious at this behavior of yours. However, do not leave, instead switch on the TV or read the paper. You may even play with the keys and bring it to the notice of the animal. Continue with all such tricks for sometime, until your puppy starts ignoring them.

# Start with small periods of keeping your puppy outside, while you are inside your house. Leave your pet outside for a couple of minutes and then go and reunite with him, before he starts showing the symptoms, as described above. Lengthen the time gradually over a couple of weeks. It is a good idea to give your dog a treat or a toy to chew on while he is alone. This would help to keep his mind off missing your presence.

# Engaging your canine in some tiring activity like a game or exercise, before you leave your house, may also help. Your puppy would be exhausted and chances are there that he will fall asleep. Keeping the radio on after you leave may also serve as a company for your pet, and reduce the feeling of separation anxiety.

The above techniques have worked well with almost all pet owners. Cases which are just too severe to be handled by such a training, may be dealt with the help of medications, as the last resort. However, the above methods, when taken up in conjunction with patience and consistency, have hardly any chances to end up as a disappointment. So, work with your puppy with all your love and your efforts will pay off!