All dogs enjoy spending time with their owners. They are comforted in knowing their owners are nearby, in part because they realize their access to important resources (e.g. food) would otherwise be limited. But there is also an emotional connection that canines feel with those who care for them. They develop a strong bond, which grows stronger with time. Unfortunately, some dogs feel a high level of distress when they are separated from their owners. This is a disorder known as separation anxiety.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the condition, and describe some of the signs that indicate it affects your canine. We'll also offer several suggestions for helping him cope with your absence, and even grow accustomed to it.
Indications Your Pet Has Separation Anxiety
The disorder may be severe or slight. A dog that suffers from severe separation anxiety may become panic-stricken when his owner is gone. Some even show nervousness when their owners are home, but out of sight (e.g. in another room). In this case, they may get up periodically to search for them in order to comfort themselves.
Sometimes, a canine will become immediately stressed when his owner leaves the home. He may begin barking, whining, and pacing back and forth, from the moment he is left alone until he is reunited with his owner. Other times, the pet may remain calm in the beginning, but become increasingly agitated the longer he is left by himself.
Other signs of separation anxiety are destructive. For example, a dog might start digging in the yard, scratching indoor furniture, and eliminating inside the home. Contrary to what a lot of owners think, these behaviors are not a reflection of spite. They reflect stress. In the case of digging, the pet may be attempting to escape in order to find his owner.
Occasionally, canines with separation anxiety will seriously injure themselves. For instance, if they are locked in crates, they might break their nails and teeth while trying to get out. They might also attempt to jump over a fence to escape the yard in which they're confined.
The First Step Toward Uncovering The Problem
If you notice any of the signs described earlier, make certain your pet suffers from separation anxiety before taking steps to treat the disorder. Otherwise, you might neglect to address a completely unrelated problem that is causing the symptoms. For example, if your dog urinates indoors when you're gone, the problem may be due to an abnormality of his kidneys or urinary tract.
Make an appointment with your canine's veterinarian so a complete exam can be performed. Describe some of the symptoms you've observed in your pet, so the vet can rule out specific conditions.
How To Treat Your Dog's Separation Anxiety
Improving your canine's ability to relax when he is separated from you involves modifying the problem behavior. Plan to provide plenty of treats throughout this process.
First, give him a treat whenever he remains calm in your presence. Choose a word (e.g. "calm") that acts as a signal informing him that he should stay relaxed. Once he is able to do so consistently, start to move further away from him. Eventually, you'll want to leave the room for a minute before returning.
Second, avoid interacting with your dog prior to your departure. Ignore him for twenty to thirty minutes beforehand. This trains your pet to expect your departures, and helps him to realize they are unimportant incidents.
Third, when you arrive home, do not immediately greet your canine. Spend a few minutes putting things away while he has an opportunity to calm himself. Once he becomes calm, give him a treat along with your attention.
Fourth, make certain your dog receives plenty of daily exercise. Pent-up energy often plays a major role in separation anxiety. By giving your canine an hour (or more) of daily exercise, you'll help him burn nervous energy that might otherwise contribute to his stress.
It's easy to become frustrated at your dog when he displays signs of this disorder. But remember, the digging, scratching, barking, and inappropriate elimination is due to stress. Spend time helping him overcome his anxiety, and he'll be a more pleasant companion.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the condition, and describe some of the signs that indicate it affects your canine. We'll also offer several suggestions for helping him cope with your absence, and even grow accustomed to it.
Indications Your Pet Has Separation Anxiety
The disorder may be severe or slight. A dog that suffers from severe separation anxiety may become panic-stricken when his owner is gone. Some even show nervousness when their owners are home, but out of sight (e.g. in another room). In this case, they may get up periodically to search for them in order to comfort themselves.
Sometimes, a canine will become immediately stressed when his owner leaves the home. He may begin barking, whining, and pacing back and forth, from the moment he is left alone until he is reunited with his owner. Other times, the pet may remain calm in the beginning, but become increasingly agitated the longer he is left by himself.
Other signs of separation anxiety are destructive. For example, a dog might start digging in the yard, scratching indoor furniture, and eliminating inside the home. Contrary to what a lot of owners think, these behaviors are not a reflection of spite. They reflect stress. In the case of digging, the pet may be attempting to escape in order to find his owner.
Occasionally, canines with separation anxiety will seriously injure themselves. For instance, if they are locked in crates, they might break their nails and teeth while trying to get out. They might also attempt to jump over a fence to escape the yard in which they're confined.
The First Step Toward Uncovering The Problem
If you notice any of the signs described earlier, make certain your pet suffers from separation anxiety before taking steps to treat the disorder. Otherwise, you might neglect to address a completely unrelated problem that is causing the symptoms. For example, if your dog urinates indoors when you're gone, the problem may be due to an abnormality of his kidneys or urinary tract.
Make an appointment with your canine's veterinarian so a complete exam can be performed. Describe some of the symptoms you've observed in your pet, so the vet can rule out specific conditions.
How To Treat Your Dog's Separation Anxiety
Improving your canine's ability to relax when he is separated from you involves modifying the problem behavior. Plan to provide plenty of treats throughout this process.
First, give him a treat whenever he remains calm in your presence. Choose a word (e.g. "calm") that acts as a signal informing him that he should stay relaxed. Once he is able to do so consistently, start to move further away from him. Eventually, you'll want to leave the room for a minute before returning.
Second, avoid interacting with your dog prior to your departure. Ignore him for twenty to thirty minutes beforehand. This trains your pet to expect your departures, and helps him to realize they are unimportant incidents.
Third, when you arrive home, do not immediately greet your canine. Spend a few minutes putting things away while he has an opportunity to calm himself. Once he becomes calm, give him a treat along with your attention.
Fourth, make certain your dog receives plenty of daily exercise. Pent-up energy often plays a major role in separation anxiety. By giving your canine an hour (or more) of daily exercise, you'll help him burn nervous energy that might otherwise contribute to his stress.
It's easy to become frustrated at your dog when he displays signs of this disorder. But remember, the digging, scratching, barking, and inappropriate elimination is due to stress. Spend time helping him overcome his anxiety, and he'll be a more pleasant companion.
No comments:
Post a Comment