Tips For Managing Your Dog's Separation Anxiety
As heartbreaking as it already is leaving your dog home alone, it can become even more challenging if your dog is one of the many who suffers from separation anxiety. Does your dog bark excessively every time you leave the house? Does he/she show signs of hyperactive or destructive behavior, especially around exits such as windows and doors? If so, read on to learn a few tips that might help your dog better manage their anxiety the next time you leave.
Common Symptoms of Separation Anxiety
It can often be tough to tell if your dog simply needs some additional house training, or if their behavior is being triggered by something else. A good indicator of whether or not your dog's behavior is driven by separation anxiety is to observe if the behaviors displayed when left alone are also displayed when you are present. If your dog chews on your belongings or urinates in the house while you are home, this behavior is likely not a result of separation anxiety. Most dogs with separation anxiety will also tend to stay close to their owners & follow them from room to room, rarely spending any time alone.
Some of the most common symptoms of separation anxiety include:
- Excessive barking, whining, or howling
- Escape attempts such as scratching or chewing around exit points like windows and doors
- Urinating or defecating
- Destruction of property
- Pacing or hyperactive behavior
- Refusal to eat
- Excessive drooling
These behaviors are most often displayed as you prepare to leave or right after you leave.
How to Treat Separation Anxiety
Provide a special treat each time you leave
Just prior to leaving the house, try giving your dog a puzzle toy or KONG® stuffed with a tasty treat, such as peanut butter. This should help keep your dog distracted during the most vulnerable period of time for separation anxiety to kick in. It is equally important that you remember to take the toy away as soon as you get home.
Ensure your dog receives plenty of daily exercise
An adequate amount of daily exercise does wonders for the mental health of humans, and our dogs are no different. Exercising provides a natural release of endorphins in dogs, which can help them feel happier and less anxious. The socialization your dog experiences during exercise can also help decrease attention-seeking behaviors afterwards, which may lead to less destructive behavior while you are away.
Reduce disturbances
The sound or sight of people, other dogs or cars can lead to excessive barking & other unwanted behaviors in your anxious dog. Closing curtains or blinds & leaving a tv or radio on to create background noise may help your dog remain calm while you are away.
Create a "safe space" for your dog
For many dogs, a crate, dog bed, or favorite piece of furniture serve as a place where they often go to in order to lay down, relax, nap or play with toys. Creating this "safe space" for your dog and encouraging them to spend some alone time there as a puppy can help reduce the likelihood of them developing separation anxiety in the future.
Try Canine Keeps Calming Hemp Chews
The use of natural supplements to help soothe anxious dogs has been on the rise. Canine Keeps Calming Hemp Chews are delicious soft chews that contain natural ingredients like Organic Hemp Seed, Organic Chamomile, Valerian Root, L-Theanine, and Organic Ginger Root. These ingredients may help promote relaxation & comfort in dogs who experience separation anxiety, and just maybe make it a little less difficult to say goodbye (but probably not).
Sources:
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/separation-anxiety-in-dogs
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs-separation-anxiety
https://be.chewy.com/health-pet-fitness-8-reasons-your-dog-needs-exercise/
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/behaviour/separationrelatedbehaviour/treatment