What To Do When Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety

Does your dog miss you too much when you're away at work, shopping, visiting or whatever? It's normal for them to miss you some, and it's not uncommon for them to have some serious problems with being left alone. This can cause you both some distress.

If they go over the top when left on their own, they probably have what's commonly known as separation anxiety, which is also common in small children. Here are some ideas to help you both cope when you're away and make it easier.

What are the signs of Separation Anxiety?

If your dog is chewing, digging and scratching they are showing signs that they are trying to escape. While barking, pooping and peeing and excessive salivating are signs of fear and anxiety. These are the classic signs.

What causes Separation Anxiety?

It is usually caused by lack of proper training, starting with socialization which can cause a lack of confidence. It could also be due to mistreatment by a previous owner, extensive confinement or even too much bonding. To a lesser extent, it can be caused by genetics. But mostly it's due to something that you can control.

How can you treat Separation Anxiety?

You should start with crate training at an early age to prevent separation anxiety. Don't make a big deal about leaving. If you crate, simply put him in, say goodbye and leave, don't overdue the farewells. When you make leaving an issue you dog will worry about why all the affection suddenly disappeared.

Dogs are very perceptive and associate certain actions with certain outcomes. He may come to realize, like mine do, that when you put on your makeup, it usually means you're going somewhere else. This can make them anxious that you are going to be gone for a while.

Try to change your behaviors a bit, like putting on your makeup 20 minutes before you go. Or, when practical go outside as you would when you go to work, start the car and wait a few minutes, then come back in and give him a treat. Eventually he will associate the starting of your car with a benefit rather than a bad thing.

Make sure they have lots to do when you're gone.  There are some great interactive dog toys available to keep him busy and give his mind a work out. Make sure he has some treats. The dog treat dispensers are great for this as you can regulate how many he has and it keeps him busy trying to get at them. When your dog knows that he has access to treats, he won't care so much that you're gone. Also leave on the TV or radio when you're gone. There are even special CDs you can get made especially for dogs, or you could record your own voice.

When you come home, try not to make a big deal out of being home until you let him outside to do his business.  If he's in a crate, just let him out, don't go all gaga on him. If you make it a home coming party, he's going to learn that it's much more fun when you're home.

If you keep up with these exercises, the Separation Anxiety should lessen over time. If it doesn't, or if he becomes aggressive when you get home, you should check with your Vet or a professional trainer. Your vet, in extreme cases may prescribe a calming medication. I have also found that a small amount of Melatonin (a natural calming and sleeping aid for humans) works. You should check with your vet beforehand to get the correct amount to use.

Just remember that your dog wants your love and attention, so pay attention to his behavior and use the above training methods to help overcome his problems. If you think you need more training yourself on how to train your dog, I highly recommend you check out the DIY Dog Training program.

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The Debate Over Dogs and Emotions

Do dogs really sense our feelings? Researchers now accept that dogs, and other animals, do experience primary emotions such as anxiety, fear, and anger, they still do not accept that they are capable of higher emotions such as jealousy, sympathy or empathy.

Be that as it may, I prefer to give animals the benefit of the doubt. I assume that higher animals, like dogs, are sensitive creatures with feelings and emotions.

Does your dog displays any of these emotions

• For some dogs, hugging, kissing and outward affection between their humans is just not acceptable. They will often intervene by jumping on your lap or somehow splitting you apart. This sure looks like jealousy to me. However, they rarely seem to show this same type of behavior with parents and babies. In fact with small children they often become like a surrogate parent and protect the youngins.

• Aggressive dogs are often more aggressive when they sense that someone is afraid of them. Is it because they can see fear in their eyes or that their posture is cowering. They say the same thing about horses, which is probably why I stay away from horses.

• Almost every dog owner has experienced the difference in their dog when someone is sad, hurt or sick. You could argue that the dog observes your posture and appearance as submissive and, almost instinctively, approaches to find out and respond to the situation. Some say, when the dog sees you in a submissive posture, it feels it has to grovel to remain below you in rank, but I don’t believe it..

• Dogs, like children who reside in a happy, relaxed residence, tend to be more relaxed themselves. The dog, sensing their level of relaxation, figures out that nothing bad is going to happen and relaxes himself. This could be the reason that potentially aggressive dogs such as Pit Bulls often are aggressive when living with high anxiety owners, while others of the same breed are the biggest of babies. What about when you have a fight with your spouse or someone else close to you. They will often skulk away and hide in an out of the way place. It could be argued that they just don’t want to listen to you, but they seem to sense this even if the argument is done quietly.

• And the big one – guilt. After your dogs have had a jolly old time ripping apart your new boots and digging in the couch, they often seem to show a true sense of guilt. Some say they are only reacting to your anger or disappointment and is just associating this anger with actions in the past where he may have been punished. That may be true but I know dogs (such as Henri) that have never been punished and who still act in this way. I think they are reacting because they know they have been bad and have upset you, not because they think if they act guilty they won’t be punished.

• I know when I, or someone else in the family goes out and leaves the dogs alone, a lot of crying and whining goes on. Whether this is because they just don’t want to be left behind or that they are truly sad, crying seems like an honest emotion to me.

Just because there’s no scientific proof of emotions in animals, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Let’s not forget that we once believed the earth was flat!

From an evolutionary point of view, it would be very strange if dogs didn’t have the ability to sense emotions. Dogs obviously have to understand behavior of themselves and others or they wouldn’t have a clue as to what to do when he encounters new situations.

As far as I can see, our pets seem to respond to our emotions and react accordingly and I think that those who say otherwise can’t have a good relationship with their pets.

Please be sure to visit Henrithehound my awesome online pet shop, the next time you want to make your pet happy! (Because happy is the best emotion!)