What can you do to help your dog deal with separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety in dogs is becoming more and more common. As people continue to lead increasingly hectic lives, many dogs end up being alone more often.

The two most common instances where we see this is in dogs coming from abandoned dog shelters or dogs that may have been used to someone at home with them for a long time, and then the owner's situation changes and now the dog is left a lot longer. Often.

Symptoms of this disorder can range from crying, to excessive barking, destructive behavior, and even self-inflicted wounds like lick wounds (when a dog constantly licks a certain part of its body until it is hairless and red).

These are all ways for dogs to deal with stress. Regardless of which of these your dog is displaying, there are a basic set of exercises you can do to help them get through this. In this article you will learn what you can do to help your dog deal with separation anxiety

Many dog ​​owners want to give their dogs love and attention when they leave the house for a while. We squat down, pet the dog and then say we'll be back soon and then we're off. While this seems like the right thing to do, for a dog suffering from separation anxiety, these actions act as a trigger for the dog's insecurity. The dog is now thinking I was left so now the behaviors are triggered.

1) Practice frequent, short-term outings

The first thing you want to do to help your dog is to not value his exit. Don't say goodbye to your dog. Don't give a big hug or treat. Just take your keys and leave. If you don't create a "big scene" before you leave, it's a less dramatic event for your dog.

With dogs suffering from separation anxiety, this technique should be used frequently for short periods of time initially. In other words, whenever you can, take your keys and leave. Stay out of the house for a few minutes and then come back.

Dogs have no sense of time, so the event for them is going back and forth, not how long you were gone. By constantly repeating the act of leaving, but always coming back, your dog will learn to feel safer.

The second part of helping a dog with separation anxiety is not recognizing your dog when you get home. We all love to come home and pet our dog and shower them with love, but this again makes the situation a big event, in turn resulting in more anxiety.

When you return you must not pay attention to the dog either. Enter your house, drop your things, do what you have to do and only then greet your dog calmly. Again, in this way, you are making the separation event a minor one.

2) Give your dog more exercise before you go out

There are also other things a dog owner should consider if their dog is suffering from separation anxiety. First, you've been out all day, so make sure you take your dog for a good walk before you leave. Walking will help the dog release its accumulated energy and therefore helping it to relax more during the day.

Second, if you've been out for a long time, you might consider hiring someone to walk your dog or drop your dog off at a dog-friendly hotel. It's a long day at home for a dog, so breaking up the day for them with a good walk can help them with their stress.

3) Find a quiet, safe place for your dog to stay when you go out

Lastly, you need to make sure your dog is in a safe place. If he is a destructive dog, you should confine him to a smaller room. Dogs can get into a lot of trouble when left alone. Even if they are non-destructive, smaller spaces help dogs feel safer. Anxious dogs are typically nervous about noise and movement outside the home, so a space like a laundry area or bathroom can help them feel more secure.

Dealing with separation anxiety in dogs takes time. Your goal is to help your dog feel safe when he is at home, as well as comfortable with the idea that even if you leave, he will return.