Dogs, like humans, suffer from separation anxiety. Your dog may have experienced it. How do you know if your dog suffers from separation anxiety? There may have been a time (or perhaps right now) when your dog showed destructive behavior and you have actually come home to find the house in disarray -- papers were scattered all over the place, the trash can was knocked over with garbage spilling out, your shoes and clothes were chewed into pieces and shred.
You were bewildered because the destruction couldn't have been done by your sweet dog. After all, he's been with you since he was a small pup and he always had a sweet disposition, always eager to please, and always wanting to be around you.
Another way to find out if your dog has separation anxiety is by asking your neighbor is he or she heard the dog barking excessively. If any of these are true, read on.
Believe it or not, your dog had (or is suffering from) separation anxiety. It is a condition that is actually very common among puppies and dogs. Dogs exhibit this panic disorder when their owners are not around. Dogs with separation anxiety become very afraid of being left alone and this fear manifests itself in destructive behaviors.
You probably already know that dogs are social animals. Starting from birth, dogs become dependent and attached to their mother and other litter. If you acquired your dog when he was still a puppy then he would have transferred this dependence and attachment to you. Thus, when you often leave your dog alone in the house, he would experience separation anxiety.
Your dog may have separation anxiety if you observe the following in your dog:
- destructive behaviors
- excessive barking, crying, whining and howling
- house soiling
- self-mutilation
- constant pacing
- excessive salivation
- scratching or chewing at furniture, doors, walls, windows and other objects
- hyperactivity
- depression
Separation anxiety in dogs can be caused by a number of things. In some dogs, separation anxiety was caused by previous experiences such as loss or abandonment of their previous owners. Separation anxiety may not show right away in many dogs, and the best way to treat it is by training your dog to understand that when you are only gone for a temporary time, sometimes medications might be necessary. If the separation anxiety is too severe and dog training did not help, you will need to consult with your veterinarian.
Here are a few more things that may cause separation anxiety in dogs:
1. A traumatic experience like an injury, alarm going off or a thunderstorm while the dog is alone.
2. A new family member or the loss of one.
3. Premature separation from the mother and other litter.
4. Introduction of a new pet, and spending more time with the new pet.
5. A sudden change in lifestyle, schedule or even environment (e.g., moving to a new place).
6. Physiological and mental changes that happen as dogs get older.
What does your dog do when you leave and stay gone for a while? If your dog barks, scratches, howls, has accidents or even acts destructive with your belongings, you probably think he or she is pretty bad at behaving. There's something you should know, though. Dogs who exhibit this kind of behavior may have dog separation anxiety. This is a condition which many dogs suffer with. What is it though, and what can you do about it?
Dog separation anxiety is where dogs have such insecurities and such a fear of being alone that they deal with their anxiety in many different ways, including trying to escape, self mutilating, chewing, barking and howling excessively. It can even be hard to tell if your dog is experiencing this because most of the time, the behavior only happens when the owner is not home. You may see proof of behavior if you come home and things are chewed up or destroyed and if your dog acts excessively happy to see you ? longer than a minute or so. You can help your dog overcome this behavior with the following tips, though.
Do not hit, kick or punish your dog in any physical way. It absolutely does not work and will actually make the situation worse. Your dog is not misbehaving. He or she is automatically dealing with the stress and fear she feels when you leave your dog. You can properly train your dog to feel less stressed. You should also not come to the conclusion that the problem will eventually go away or that your dog is going through a stage. The truth is that this condition only worsens as time goes on. Begin retraining your dog to feel better and well-adjusted.
Figure out what makes your dog resort to disturbing behavior and exactly what kind of behavior he or she is exhibiting. This will help you develop an individual, structured plan of treatment for your dog. Many things depend upon your dog's breed, history and age. You may want to ask the vet if your dog requires medication since some dogs get to the point where they need outside help. Don't spoil your dog. You don't want to make him or her so dependent upon your constant attention that he or she is lost completely when you leave. Rather, encourage your dog to play alone and entertain himself. Praise him or her when your dog plays alone.
You don't want to love and give attention to your dog before you leave. Simply leave discreetly and be sure to give him or her plenty of exercise before you go so that your dog will be in a calm, tired state. You may want to leave him or her with treats and toys. Be discreet when you come home as well. This is so that your dog will understand that it is not so bad when you leave and he or she will not be so insecure. If you think your dog is experiencing separation anxiety, you should absolutely act to help him or her take care of it. If you don't it could get worse and worse. Do what you can now to help your dog be a better, happier and well-adjusted dog.
Both Dr. Mayra Alfonso & Kristi Carter are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dr. Mayra Alfonso has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Dog Care and Dog Training. Increase the happy years of your dog by checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I've used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso's