Most dogs will be upset when their owner leaves the home, but only dogs with separation anxiety will cause a problem. Even before your leave the house, your dog may start to show signs of anxiety. These signs include following you around the house, blocking the door as you try to leave, or eliminating on the floor to get attention. Many owners cannot deal with the stress of dealing with a dog with separation anxiety. Unfortunately, a large number of dogs are sent to shelters and even euthanized because their owners do not want to deal with them anymore. However, separation anxiety may be treated with hard work and dedication.
What Causes Dog Separation Anxiety?
Possible causes of separation anxiety may be:
- Puppies who have been separated from their mothers too soon. Puppies think when you leave the house, you will not return. Since you are their new mother, this can be very upsetting for your dog.
- A traumatic experience. An event such as a thunderstorm, fireworks, break and enter or earthquake may trigger separation anxiety.
- Shelter dogs. These dogs can be troubled. Sometimes separation anxiety may be from a previous abusive owner or being neglected in shelters.
- A change in his environment. This may include moving to a new home, a new addition to the family such as a new pet or a baby or a death in the family may cause separation anxiety in your dog.
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety
Even before you leave your house, your dog may start showing signs of anxiety. He will likely follow you around the house, making sure you are within eyesight. Simple things such as putting on your shoes or grabbing your car keys may trigger symptoms of anxiety. Some signs your dog has anxiety prior to leaving, while you are gone and when you return include:
Pacing
Whining and crying
Shaking
Excessive drooling
Panting
Trying to block the door
Barking, howling or yelping
Soiling the house
Scratching, chewing and digging around the home and yard
Urinating on the carpet
Scratching and biting
Jumping up
If you notice your dog has any of these symptoms when you leave the home, your dog likely has separation anxiety. It is important to control and train your dog during this time, as it can cause a major disaster for your household and a lot of stress on you and your dog.
To learn more about dog separation anxiety and tips on treating your dog’s case of anxiety, visit www.
(this guest post is courtesy of Ciara Black from Dog Help Network)
2 comments:
Some years back I lived with my brother. He had a great dog "Hamilton" who was half blue tick hound and half german shorthaired pointer. Hammy was smart with a great personality but a little hyperactive and had serious separation anxiety. Because we worked different hours one of us was usually home. But when we were both gone Hamilton would rip up the couch, pull up the carpet, get into the pantry and even opened the fridge and pulled out some food. One night we were gone and during a thunderstorm Hammy got under the bathroom sink, busted a water line and when we came home, half the house was flooded. You couldn't help but love the dog but what a handful. After I moved, I believe my brother got some anxiety medication to help the dog relax when he was gone. Even though he's passed away I'll never forget that dog, I really loved him.
Thanks for an informative post giving an outline of hat can be a distressting thing for the owner as well as the dog.
The good news is that there are lots of things you can try to help your dog cope better when you do have to leave for a while.
These include not making a big deal of it when you do leave, making sure your dog has things to keep him entertained - such as favourite toys - or even leaving the radio on for conpany.
Different dogs will have different needs so do your research and see what works best for your dog.
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