Dog FAQ

Separation anxiety is commonly seen in little children who are not able to deal with the pangs of separation from their parents, and throw a tantrum or cry non stop when their parents leave them.  Dogs too can suffer from these symptoms. 

A dog who suffers from separation anxiety exhibits a number of behaviors that point to the problem. If you’ve noticed that your dog howls incessantly when you leave him, even after you’ve closed the door on him, you could have a dog with separation anxiety.

Look for other signs. Does your dog chew on slippers and shoes in your absence and leave little “mementos” of his distress all over the floor when you leave him alone?  Does he run rampage through the house, overturning things, and generally messing everything at home?

The first part of dealing with separation anxiety with dogs is of course to admit you have a problem on your hands. Many owners fail to notice that their dog has a severe separation anxiety, assuming that they’ll grow out of it. That’s hardly the case.

If your dog has separation anxiety, try a few simple steps to minimize his anxiety to the point where he is totally comfortable with you leaving the house.

Try to condition him to get used to being without you.  Start by stepping out of the house and then re entering it 2 minutes later.  After a few days of this, stay out for a few more minutes, and then step in again. Increase the amount of time you spend outside the door.  Once he is able to stay an hour without barking or whining, he’s probably ready to stay the whole day without a fuss.

Don’t punish your dog if you find the house a mess when you arrive home. It’s just his way of showing anxiety.

If no amount of training or ignoring works, consult your vet about anti anxiety medication. This is a last resort, and should be tried if the problem refuses to subside after a few days of training.

 

Filed under: Training & Behavoir