Do you know that it is not just us — humans — who can experience separation anxiety? Unfortunately, your dog can experience it, too. And as surprising as it sounds, our bond with our canine friends is one of the reasons why they are prone to separation anxiety.
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What Does Dog Separation Anxiety Mean?
When dogs have these hyper-attached feelings with their owners, they can feel super-stressed whenever they leave them. This is quite similar to what we call panic attacks in a human.
You might not be aware that your dog's excessive barking is one of the Separation Anxiety Signs. Also, dogs are intelligent enough to learn anything about their owners. One good example of this is their owner's departure cues - like lacing up one's shoes or dressing formally. This is where they start exhibiting their stress once the owner steps out of the doorway.
To prevent your dog from getting one, you must first know the signs of Dog Separation Anxiety.
Once your dog is left alone, they might show any of the following signs:
Excessive barking, howling and whining.
Unable to settle itself and start pacing back and forth.
Ignoring foods.
Chew things up and can't stop digging holes.
If left inside the house, they might break some household items or even leave scratches on your couch.
Unusual drooling and panting.
Trying to escape.
As a dog lover, we don't want them to go through all these. Thankfully, there are things that we can do to prevent such actions.
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Treating Separation Anxiety includes two objectives and these are:
Making your dog feel less reliable on you and;
Encouraging your dog to relax whenever they are left at home.
To achieve those goals, first, we must understand that treating separation anxiety is a complicated process. That is why we, pet owners should always seek the help of experts like certified separation anxiety trainers or a veterinary behaviorist. This is very appropriate if there is a need for immediate medication.
For Mild Problems, you can:
Entertain your dog by giving them special treats like new dog toys.
Getting them to get used to your absence by making your comings and goings unfelt. If you can, ignore them for a few minutes after you get home.
Leave recently worn clothes that smell like you that they can rest on. Our canine friends are like infants who don't want to be left without their mother's warm embrace.
Consider giving them the pet over-the-counter calming supplements.
For Serious Problems, you must:
Learn how to make a less-anxious habit whenever you go out. For instance, you notice that whenever you put your shoes on or grab your car keys, they start to get nervous. If they do that, try doing the opposite of what they expected. Do those things, then put it back and sit down on the couch, make them feel like you aren't leaving anymore. Do this every time you leave for them to get used to it, making them less anxious about you whenever you are about to leave.
Understand that a dog with severe anxiety cannot be treated by just giving them plushies. This is where a medical expert's help is needed.
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Besides, make it a habit for you and your dog to have an exercise routine every morning or even late afternoon—this gives them less stress and less chances to be anxious. So, if your pet manifests these signs, it is time to walk them around! Also, make sure that whenever you start your walking routine, never forget to bring something to re-hydrate or feed for your dog! For that, we have the PETKIT GEN 2 Eversweet Smart Travel Bottle at INSTACHEW. Remember to keep your furry friends happy and in turn, you'll be a worry-free pawrent!
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