Dog Separation Anxiety - How to Treat It

Dogs are very social creatures and once they have established a bond with their family, being separated from them can be extremely traumatic. Separation anxiety in dogs can become a huge problem if not addressed properly, but fortunately with time and care, it is a behavior that can be controlled.

Separation anxiety can present itself in a number of ways. For some dogs, separation anxiety causes them to become morose, depressed and almost lethargic. They may refuse to eat or drink, and will refuse to leave their “comfort zone” to go to the bathroom. This form of separation anxiety can actually become quite dangerous if it is allowed to continue because it can cause the dog to become malnourished and very ill.

Some dogs however, exhibit their separation anxiety through destructive behavior. This can include going to the bathroom in the house or on your belongings, excessive vocalization and destruction of your home and property. This is actually a very common display of anxiety, and is obviously something that no pet owner wants to deal with.

Separation Anxiety Problem?  Click Here to Find Out How OTher Dog Owners Solve The Problem.

Separation anxiety occurs when your dog becomes fearful and anxious at the thought of separation. This most commonly occurs in dogs that are hyperattached to their owners. Dogs that are hyperattached to their owners are those dogs that are constantly with their owner. They follow their owner from room to room, constantly seeking attention. In most cases, it is the fault of the owner that their dog is hyperattached, as it is a behavior that has been encouraged. While having a loyal and constant companion is wonderful, a responsible pet owner must also teach their dog some form of independence so that they do not become anxious when their owner has to leave.

If your dog is hyperattached, separation anxiety can be a nightmare for them. So the first step in treating the problem is to break some of the attachment. You must teach your dog to be more independent. This can be a very difficult task, but is essential for the well-being of both you and your dog. Encourage your dog to play more on its own, have others in the household also provide care to the dog, and discourage continuous affection. It might sound mean at first, but in time it will highly benefit both of you.

The next step in helping with separation anxiety is to desensitize the separation. A large portion of the anxiety that a dog experiences begins before you ever leave the house. Dogs are extremely observant, and will begin to note that certain actions like shutting off appliances, changing into certain clothes and grabbing your purse or car keys all indicate that you will soon be leaving them. When they see this occurring, they begin to become agitated and fearful of you leaving. Discourage this behavior by performing some of these actions, but not leaving the house. Your dog will soon learn to remain calm while these actions are performed, and be less anxious before you even leave.

There are many other methods that can be used for helping with separation anxiety as well. Some people have had great success using dog appeasement pheromones that help to promote a calm environment for the dog. These pheromones are odorless to people, but help to provide a calming atmosphere to your pets. Others have found that leaving on a television or radio for their pet helps to keep anxiety levels down.

Separation Anxiety Problem?  Click Here to Find Out How OTher Dog Owners Solve The Problem.