Title: Tips For Effectively Handling Your Dog's Separation
Anxiety
Author: MiShaun Taylor
If you have a dog that cries, whines, pants, defecates or
urinates in the house, tears up household items, and exhibits
other strange behaviors when you leave home, you may have a dog
that suffers from dog separation anxiety. Dog separation anxiety
is a medical condition that affects 15% of all dogs. When dogs
suffer from dog separation anxiety, they feel incredible fear
and frustration and exhibit erratic behavior whenever their
owners leave them alone.
According to canine researchers, dogs with separation anxiety
feel anxious because they mistakenly believe they are being
permanently abandoned by their human pack member when left
alone. Dog separation anxiety is not breed specific and affects
young and old dogs. In fact, this type of anxiety can develop
suddenly or after a traumatic event, such as an owner going back
to work full time after working from home for years, etc.
Regardless of the cause of this condition, once dog separation
anxiety is prevalent, one must work hard to get this condition
under control Here are several tips that you can implement to
help your dog overcome this condition:
1. Take your dog to a qualified veterinarian who can make
behavioral modification suggestions and may even suggest
holistic or medical treatment options to help you treat your dog
with separation anxiety.
2. Understand that your dog does not "act out" because want to
upset you. He is merely acting out because he wants to be with
you. He is simply anxious and frustrated and shouldn't be
punished for his actions.
3. Get your dog used to you leaving by telling him to sit and
stay. You can then practice leaving the room and coming back
after a short while. This will teach him that when you leave you
eventually return. Each time he obeys your command, you should
reward him with praise, a special toy or treat. If he won't stay
put, shorten the distance until he is successful and then give
him praise, a special toy, or treat. You can then increase the
distance each time until he is more confident.
4. Try different daily routines to prepare him for your
imminent departure. For instance, if you always leave home early
in the morning without giving him a walk and stay away for 9
hours, you can wake up earlier and give him a walk before you
leave home. You can then show up in the afternoon and give him
another walk or hire a dog walker to do so.
5. Reward your dog with great distraction toys. When you know
that you're going to be gone for a set period of time, you
should walk your dog for a bit and then give him a toy that will
cause him to work something. A great toy would be a dog toy with
food stuffed inside.
6. If all else fails, hire a dog training specialist to assist
you with retraining your dog and building his confidence. If you
go this route, choose someone that is specially trained in
handling dogs with dog separation anxiety.
In conclusion, dealing with a dog that has dog separation
anxiety isn't easy but it can be dealt with. By being sensitive
to your dog's needs, working hard to modify his behavior you can
change his behavior for the best.
About The Author: Is your dog traumatized when you leave him
alone? Don't get mad or frustrated. He may be suffering from dog
separation anxiety. Learn proven and humane tips to help him
overcome dog separation anxiety once and for all! Visit
http://www.dogsepar
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