Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Does your dog try to stay close to the things that smell like you? Does it bark during most of the day and howl when left alone? Does your dog behave improperly? Your dog might be having a separation anxiety. Separation anxiety in dogs can occur at any age and in the dogs of any breed. If you have petted a dog, it’s good to know the causes of separation anxiety and ways in which you can help. I know you don’t like to see your dog in trouble. So here is something that can enlighten you about separation anxiety in dogs.

Separation anxiety is the aversion of isolation. It is a very common cause of behavioral problems in dogs. When a pet dog becomes too much dependent on the owner, it faces separation anxiety. Separation anxiety might have genetic reasons. Some breeds of dogs have a greater tendency to be afflicted by separation anxiety. The cures also depend on the individual dog and the severity of the disorder.

Causes of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

• A dog that is habituated to always having a human being accompany it, suffers from separation anxiety. It faces this problem when it is left alone for the first time in its life.
• If the dog and its owner have been together for a long time a sudden departure of the owner from his dog leads to a separation anxiety. In case of an unexpected change in the routine or structure of its owner’s family, it may get anxious. This happens if the owner moves to a new house, or if one of the family members leaves the house for any reason.
• Distressing events in the early years of a dog’s life may result into separation anxiety. This includes an early separation from its mother or deprivation of attachment, change in its environment or the bereavement of someone in the owner’s family.
• A dog that has been switched from one home to another or has not been socialized properly may fall prey to separation anxiety. Some dogs are nervous when kept unaccompanied. They are afraid to stay alone.
• One important reason of separation anxiety is the lack of leadership on the owner’s part. Dogs are pack animals. They are accustomed to a leader leaving the pack but not the other way round. If an owner behaves like the follower of his dog, the dog assumes leadership. Then it cannot tolerate the idea of its owner leaving it. So be kind to your dogs but do not treat them like humans.
• Another cause of separation anxiety in dogs is less exercise. If dogs do not know how to channelize their energy through exercise, they react intensely when left alone. They vent their stress by means of odd behaviors.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

• A dog might frantically greet you and crazily follow you wherever you go. When you are preparing to leave home, your dog may exhibit stress, fear or anxiousness. If your dog whimpers or becomes aggressive at the thought of departing from you, it is possibly suffering from separation anxiety.
• If your dog chews on things, which smell like you, if it constantly seeks your attention and cannot be left alone, this is an indication of separation anxiety in the dog.
• If your dog pees anywhere and shows other unusual behaviors, the cause may be its separation anxiety.
• Destructive behavior may indicate serious separation anxiety in your dog. Dogs destroy household property mostly when they are alone. They do it soon after you leave and sometime before you return home.

Treatments for Separation Anxiety in Dogs

• Make the dog understand that you are its master. Your leadership is helpful for the normal behavior of your dog. Play with the dog when you want to and not when it wants you to! Regular exercise will help direct the built-up energy constructively and avoid negative conduct.
• See that your arrivals or departures are low key. Do not arouse excitement in your dogs. Make sure it does not react intensely to any incident.
• Plan your departures from home. Communicate to your dog so that it understands the approximate duration of your being away. The dog recognizes whether you will be returning shortly or after a long time. Establish a communication with your dog that will indicate your actions to it.
• Before leaving the dog alone, give it something that smells like you. Give your dog something to do when you are not at home. Dog toys are a good option. Leaving the radio on can alleviate the dog’s feeling of loneliness.
• Do not give it too much attention while leaving and also immediately after coming. Make your interaction with your dog as simple and normal as possible.
• In case of grave consequences of the separation anxiety in your dog, contact the breeder from whom you purchased the dog. Take medical guidance. Your vet will know the drugs and the herbal remedies available in the market. Know your pet, know its problem and treat it with care.
• Do not react harshly to your dog’s behavior. Understand that it has difficulty in being alone. Punishing wont help!

The best way to help your dog is to understand it. Give your dog the warmth and affection. Make it feel secure. Apart form this, make your dog learn be on its own. Your departure is bound to impact your pet dog but it must be taught to live without you.