Coping with Separation Anxiety

Coping with Separation Anxiety

Welcome! Do you have problems with your dog missing you too
much when you must be away due to work or other activities? It is actually not
that uncommon of a problem, although it can certainly be distressing for both
dogs as well as their owners.

This issue is known as separation anxiety and there are ways to effectively cope
with it and make it easier for your dog to deal with those times when you must
be away.

Signs of Separation Anxiety

There are many signs of separation anxiety including:
barking, chewing, defecating, digging, excessive salivating, scratching, and
urinating. Chewing, digging, and scratching are signs of your dog trying to
"escape." Barking, defecating, excessive salivating, and urinating are signs of
anxiety and fear.

Causes of Separation Anxiety

Such causes of separation anxiety include genetics, lack of
socialization, lack of training, lack of confidence, mistreatment by a previous
owner, extensive confinement, and too much bonding with the owner. As you can
see, most of these are the owner's responsibility.

Treatment of Separation Anxiety

There are things that you can do to prevent separation
anxiety. When you put your dog in his crate, don't have a long, emotional
good-bye. Simply, walk away. It is even a good idea to ignore your dog 5 minutes
before you leave. If you draw attention to your departure, your dog will worry
when the love and emotion is suddenly stopped.

Also try and teach your dog not to associate certain behaviors of yours with
your leaving the house and being away for hours. Dogs, as we have learnt in
Chapter 1 are good at associating certain actions with certain outcomes. You may
have noticed for example that as dress for work, or pick up your car keys, your
dogs begins to get anxious.

Try changing your dog's negative associations to your behaviors to positive
ones.

For example, on a weekend, dress for work, pick up the car keys and go outside
for a few minutes only, then come back inside and give your dog a treat. You dog
will eventually begin to associate you getting ready for work as a positive
association rather than a negative one.

Make sure you have plenty of treats and toys in your dog's crate to keep him
entertained while you are away. If your dog always knows that he'll have treats
when you leave, it won't be as traumatic for him.

Before you leave, turn on a radio or television so your dog has some noise. A
talk station is more effective than music, because the sound of human voices
could comfort him. You could even tape your own voice.

When you return home, don't give your dog any emotion or attention when you let
him out of his crate. This will reinforce that being outside of the crate is
better than being inside the crate. Let him outside to eliminate immediately.

In extreme causes a calmative type medication may be prescribed for you dog by
your Vet.

Separation anxiety is something that should improve over time. However, if it
does not, or if your dog shows signs of extreme aggression when he is let out,
seek a professional trainer and/or see you Vet for further assistance.

When you pay close attention to your dog's behavior, you are better able to
identify his bad behaviors and correct them through training exercises. Your dog
wants your attention and love, so when use this to your advantage when you are
training. Keep in mind that good quality dog training resources can help with
this issue.

Sharda Baker

Sharda Baker has published several dog ebook and audios.
Click here for more dog training help and advice.