Does your dog act out when you leave the house? Does it bark or whine, destroy things, and have accidents in the house? If so, you may have a case of separation anxiety. This common condition doesn’t affect all dogs—some get along just fine even when their owners are away—but if your pup is constantly troubled when you’re not around, it’s time for both of you to learn about separation anxiety and what can be done about it.
Why do dogs get separation anxiety?
- Dogs are packed animals: This is because, for thousands of years, dogs have been living alongside humans as companions and helpers in hunting and gathering food sources. Dogs are social and bond with their owners in a way that other animals do not.
- Dogs can feel anxious when left alone: Since dogs have evolved to live in groups (packs), it’s natural for them to feel anxious when separated from their owners; this is especially true if the separation involves being left alone at home or in an unfamiliar place outside of your home like a park or vet clinic–the latter being one of the most common triggers for separation anxiety in dogs due to its inherent unfamiliarity!
- Many things can cause separation anxiety: age/breed differences, genetic predisposition toward anxiety disorders, traumatic experiences during puppyhood such as being scared by fireworks while sleeping indoors versus outdoors where there would be more cover available should something go wrong…
How to recognize and diagnose separation anxiety
- For dogs, separation anxiety is a typical issue. Although there are warning signals, it can be challenging to determine whether your dog suffers from separation anxiety.
- Any of the following behaviours could indicate separation anxiety in your dog:
- They whine or cry when you leave them alone at home, and they don’t have anything else to do (like go outside). This is particularly true if they’ve never done this before–they might just be nervous about being alone in the first place!
- They bark uncontrollably whenever you’re not around (or if someone knocks on the door). This could also be due to boredom or stress; something happened recently that made them feel uneasy. Try making sure they get plenty of exercise before leaving them alone so that they don’t have pent-up energy when it comes time for bedtime later on in the evening…
How to keep your dog from getting separation anxiety
The best way to avoid separation anxiety from developing in your dog is to make sure that they are well socialized, spend time with them and introduce them to new people and places.
Training your dog is also essential in preventing separation anxiety because it gives them something to do while you’re away at work or school.
Giving them a job, such as helping around the house, can help relieve some of their stress when left alone and provide them with something productive to focus on during those times when they are alone with nothing else going on around them.
Finally, it’s essential for dogs who suffer from this condition to have access each day–even if just for 20 minutes–to an area where they can relax without having any distractions so that their minds aren’t constantly racing with thoughts about whether or not their owners will ever come back again.
How to treat separation anxiety
There are many ways to treat separation anxiety in dogs. The most effective method is to work with your veterinarian and use a combination of training and behaviour modification techniques, medication, or other options depending on the severity of your dog’s separation anxiety.
- Training & Behavior Modification: If your dog has mild separation anxiety, you may be able to treat it with behaviour modification alone. In this case, you should work closely with an experienced trainer who can help you teach your proper dog behaviour around humans when they’re not present–like sit-stays or down-stays–and make sure that everyone leaves each other alone when someone goes out for a walk or runs errands. You should also make sure that there are no cues (e.g., toys) associated with being left alone; if there are such cues, then remove them from sight so as not to reinforce any negative associations about being left behind.* Medication: For severe cases where training/behaviour modification isn’t enough, consider using the medication as well.* Other Options: Another option worth considering is a boarding school, where dogs get lots of attention while their owners are away at work during the day.* Never Reward Your Dog For Showing Signs Of Separation Anxiety
What you can do if your dog already has separation anxiety
If your dog already has separation anxiety, you can do a few things to assist them in adjusting to being left alone.
- Create a safe place for your dog to go to when you leave. This can be any room or area where they feel comfortable and safe. It should have food, water, toys and treats, so they’re not hungry or bored while waiting for your return.
- Make sure they have something fun and chewable, like a bone or toy, that keeps them busy while you are gone (and also serves as a reminder of home). Feeding them right before bedtime may also help keep them calm throughout the night!
- Leave some background noise, such as music or talk radio, so it’s easier for them to fall asleep without being completely silent (which could make them nervous). This will also give off an impression that someone else is around even if no one else is there yet, either physically OR mentally speaking because we all know how comforting voices can sometimes be…
Separation anxiety is a widespread problem, but it can be treated
Separation anxiety is a widespread problem, but it can be treated. The earlier you start treatment for your dog’s separation anxiety, the better the outcome.
If your dog has mild separation anxiety and you want to prevent it from developing into something more serious (or if you’re looking for some tips on how to make your pup more comfortable when left alone), try these tips:
- Set aside sometime each day for playtime with your dog–this gives him an outlet for his energy and helps build trust between the two of you.
- Give him lots of attention whenever possible–even if it’s just petting him while watching TV! This will reassure him that he still has value in our world even though we aren’t there all day, every day anymore, now that we’ve moved out on our own… er… I mean… “left home.”
There are many ways to help your dog if they have separation anxiety. You can try some of the things we’ve mentioned in this article, such as leaving a radio on while you’re gone or giving treats when they hear your car pull up outside. If those don’t work, talk with your vet about possible medications to help treat the problem. And if all else fails? Well, then, it’s time for some tough love!
Separation anxiety in dogs can be a challenging and distressing experience, but with the right help, it can be overcome. We offer a comprehensive program at Parliament Animal Hospital to help your furry friend overcome separation anxiety. From behaviour modification techniques to medication and supplements, we provide a full range of solutions to help your pet overcome separation anxiety. Our experienced trainers will work with you to develop a tailored treatment plan that addresses your pet’s specific needs and helps them feel more comfortable and relaxed when you’re not around. Learn more about our separation anxiety treatment program by visiting https://parliamentanimalhospital.ca/ or calling (647) 347-3300. Give your pet the gift of a happy and relaxed life, free from separation anxiety, with Parliament Animal Hospital.