One night I came home from work to find our house in disarray. The pungent scent of urine filled the air. Pillows were scattered everywhere, their stuffing torn out. Vases and other knickknacks were reduced to mere shards of porcelain and glass. Some of my books were ripped to shreds. At first I thought that my apartment had been burglarized but I realized that the burglars couldn’t have missed seeing the flat screen television, DVD player and speakers prominently displayed in the living room. The one thing missing was my dog, a large Labrador retriever named Bob. I worriedly searched the rest of the apartment and found nothing else amiss. Upon entering my bedroom, I found Bob under the bed chewing one of my shoes. If that wasn’t bad enough, I saw a pile of dog stool right on my pillow. As I scolded him for making a mess, I wondered why a normally well-behaved dog like Bob could make such a mess. That’s when I learned about pet separation anxiety.
Pet separation anxiety manifests itself in different ways. They can be destructive, as Bob was, or choose to disturb your neighbors with a fit of loud barking and whining. They may also spread their stool and urine in the most unexpected places, such as the inside of your favorite pair of shoes or all over your clothes. They chew and scratch on furniture without compunction. They tend to destroy things that you frequntly use and carry your scent, and they do all these things as soon as you leave them alone. They are also wildly excited to see you when you get back, incessantly demanding your attention.
But what can cause this anxiety in our beloved pets? One of the most common reasons is when pets are frequently left alone, they get bored. They may also feel abandoned by their owners. The bad behavior that they manifest is merely a cry for much needed attention.
So what can you do about it? Teach your pet to recognize I cues signaling your departure, such as picking up your keys and interact with them on your terms and not when they demand it. Try increasing the amount of exercise that your pet gets, but if your time is limited you may want to consider hiring someone to walk your pet. Add more toys for it to chew. During the hours that you are away at work, you might want to hire a dog sitter or putting your pet in daycare. If you have the space, you can set aside an area for your pet. Crates and pens are available in different sizes and materials. Choose one suitable to the size and strength of your pet.
In case of serious separation anxiety cases, consult your veterinarian. They may be able to suggest other available therapies or medication for your pet. You can also consult with pet trainers and do research in print or online for ways on how to train your pet to accept your absence. Internet forums for pet owners can also be a valuable tool for learning effective techniques in handling your pet’s separation anxiety.
But most of all, treat your pet with love and sensitivity. Remember that your pet is only acting out what it cannot verbalize. With a little help, you and your pet can live an anxiety-free existence.
Showing posts with label separation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label separation. Show all posts
Man S Best Friend Separation Anxiety
Our homes are almost never complete if we do not have something to cheer us up. Aside from our children and our personal hobbies, the one thing that gives us great pleasure whenever we are at home is our pet — which is usually a dog.
The dog is considered man’s best friend and ranks first place as the most beloved animal on the face of the planet. No other animal has received as much love and care from humans. The dog is also one of the most exposed animals on t.v. and in the movie screen. Who could forget the animal adventure classics like Rin Tin Tin and Lassie?
Dogs are domesticated, carnivorous mammals related to foxes and wolves. Some of the most common breeds of dogs today are the following: Doberman, German Shepherd, Bulldog, Poodle, Chihuahua, among others.
Dogs are very loyal pets. Books, poems, and songs have been written to immortalize the unique relationship between dogs and humans. To this day, no other animal can match the qualities of the dog as a devoted companion and friend.
No wonder, thousands if not millions of people can be considered as true-blue dog lovers. Aside from having a loyal “sidekick,” many people keep dogs as pets because they see the hairy, cuddly animal as a “walking, breathing stress relief system.” Dogs help cheer us up especially when we get home from work. Dog owners usually find their pet happily wagging its tail, ready with a loud bark to greet the master.
Dog Separation Anxiety
By nature, dogs are social animals. They enjoy the interaction with their human masters. Because of this deep attachment, dog owners sometimes have problems with their dogs. One of the most common dog-related problems is called Dog Separation Anxiety.
Dogs are a pack animals. They don’t want to be left alone. Some dogs will simply can’t wait for you to come back home. Most dogs desperately try to get your attention by barking incessantly. Typically, your dog would pace, whine, chew, and even scratch the door whenever you fail to go home at the time it was used to seeing you enter the gate. Whenever you leave your dog for long periods of time, it may be possible that it would suffer from separation anxiety.
What to do when your dog has separation anxiety?
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, it might be wise to consider the following tips and suggestions:
l Don’t be so melodramatic when you are leaving the house. Make any departures and arrivals low-key.
l Show him whose the “master” of the house. You put every action you make in your own terms such as playing with him.
l Discourage your dog from being so attached to you. Be aloof when greeted upon arriving home.
l Maintain your distance. Do not allow the dog to settle down in close proximity. Give you and your dog some space. Do not call him and leave him here he is. It might be hard for you but it must be done.
l Train him as much as possible.
l Give your dog a special treat or a reward when he shows good behavior while you are gone.
l Another alternative: Leave the radio or TV on while you make an errand. This will make your dog think that it is not home alone.
l Do not punish your dog. Dog have fears and can also experience anxiety. The thought of being abandoned really scares them.
l Invest in dog toys. It will keep your dog preoccupied or busy while you are away.
Indeed, dogs have become part of our family and indispensable to having a fun and enjoyable home life.
The dog is considered man’s best friend and ranks first place as the most beloved animal on the face of the planet. No other animal has received as much love and care from humans. The dog is also one of the most exposed animals on t.v. and in the movie screen. Who could forget the animal adventure classics like Rin Tin Tin and Lassie?
Dogs are domesticated, carnivorous mammals related to foxes and wolves. Some of the most common breeds of dogs today are the following: Doberman, German Shepherd, Bulldog, Poodle, Chihuahua, among others.
Dogs are very loyal pets. Books, poems, and songs have been written to immortalize the unique relationship between dogs and humans. To this day, no other animal can match the qualities of the dog as a devoted companion and friend.
No wonder, thousands if not millions of people can be considered as true-blue dog lovers. Aside from having a loyal “sidekick,” many people keep dogs as pets because they see the hairy, cuddly animal as a “walking, breathing stress relief system.” Dogs help cheer us up especially when we get home from work. Dog owners usually find their pet happily wagging its tail, ready with a loud bark to greet the master.
Dog Separation Anxiety
By nature, dogs are social animals. They enjoy the interaction with their human masters. Because of this deep attachment, dog owners sometimes have problems with their dogs. One of the most common dog-related problems is called Dog Separation Anxiety.
Dogs are a pack animals. They don’t want to be left alone. Some dogs will simply can’t wait for you to come back home. Most dogs desperately try to get your attention by barking incessantly. Typically, your dog would pace, whine, chew, and even scratch the door whenever you fail to go home at the time it was used to seeing you enter the gate. Whenever you leave your dog for long periods of time, it may be possible that it would suffer from separation anxiety.
What to do when your dog has separation anxiety?
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, it might be wise to consider the following tips and suggestions:
l Don’t be so melodramatic when you are leaving the house. Make any departures and arrivals low-key.
l Show him whose the “master” of the house. You put every action you make in your own terms such as playing with him.
l Discourage your dog from being so attached to you. Be aloof when greeted upon arriving home.
l Maintain your distance. Do not allow the dog to settle down in close proximity. Give you and your dog some space. Do not call him and leave him here he is. It might be hard for you but it must be done.
l Train him as much as possible.
l Give your dog a special treat or a reward when he shows good behavior while you are gone.
l Another alternative: Leave the radio or TV on while you make an errand. This will make your dog think that it is not home alone.
l Do not punish your dog. Dog have fears and can also experience anxiety. The thought of being abandoned really scares them.
l Invest in dog toys. It will keep your dog preoccupied or busy while you are away.
Indeed, dogs have become part of our family and indispensable to having a fun and enjoyable home life.
Is Your Dog Too Stuck On You
Being alone can be really frightening, especially when you are a kid. A natural reaction of a child when left alone is to cry. We have all gone through this when we were young, We were always glued to our parents, especially to our moms. We do not want to be away from them. This is human instinct since when we were born, our mom is the first person that we lay our eyes on. in fact, we’ve already formed an attachment when we were still inside our mother’s womb.
Being left alone can be very emotional and stressful. It can be a difficult experience. But this fear of being isolated is not only exclusively felt by human beings. Animals are no exception. Even dogs, considered to be man’s best friend, suffer the same emotional predicament.
Dogs are naturally social creatures, they are pack animals. Like babies that develop an attachment to their mothers, dogs, too, develop a very strong bond with their canine female parents. These pups would only want to be with their turf, where the mother or father can guard them or provide food through the female dog’s mammary glands. But once this canine family attachment is dissolved, the dog immediately turns its attention to their owner or caretaker.
Dogs that become too dependent on their owners also do not want to be left alone. When dogs are left alone by their owners, they become really upset. As “dog depression”upset sets in, they become restless and even destructive This condition is called Separation Anxiety.
Separation anxiety in dogs is one of the most common canine behavioral problems encountered by veterinarians and seasoned dog breeders. Dogs can develop separation anxiety much faster if they do not have enough “socialization”. It can also occur if a dog is repeatedly transferred from one owner to another. Dogs that came from animal shelters and dogs that experienced traumatic events such as being in the house during a fire, during a burglary attempt, or while an alarm system sounded may show signs of anxiety.
A dog suffering from separation anxiety will become extremely anxious and distressed. Some signs of distress in your dog may include any of the following:
Being left alone can be very emotional and stressful. It can be a difficult experience. But this fear of being isolated is not only exclusively felt by human beings. Animals are no exception. Even dogs, considered to be man’s best friend, suffer the same emotional predicament.
Dogs are naturally social creatures, they are pack animals. Like babies that develop an attachment to their mothers, dogs, too, develop a very strong bond with their canine female parents. These pups would only want to be with their turf, where the mother or father can guard them or provide food through the female dog’s mammary glands. But once this canine family attachment is dissolved, the dog immediately turns its attention to their owner or caretaker.
Dogs that become too dependent on their owners also do not want to be left alone. When dogs are left alone by their owners, they become really upset. As “dog depression”upset sets in, they become restless and even destructive This condition is called Separation Anxiety.
Separation anxiety in dogs is one of the most common canine behavioral problems encountered by veterinarians and seasoned dog breeders. Dogs can develop separation anxiety much faster if they do not have enough “socialization”. It can also occur if a dog is repeatedly transferred from one owner to another. Dogs that came from animal shelters and dogs that experienced traumatic events such as being in the house during a fire, during a burglary attempt, or while an alarm system sounded may show signs of anxiety.
A dog suffering from separation anxiety will become extremely anxious and distressed. Some signs of distress in your dog may include any of the following:
Mutt Matters Dealing With Dog Separation Anxiety
Your dog’s usual barks or “bow wows” may not always carry the same message. As your dog approaches you, don’t be fooled. Your pet, that may very well be your best friend, may not be asking for the same doggy munchies. Maybe – just maybe – your mutt-friend is experiencing an overwhelming feeling of fear – separation anxiety in dogs.
Separation anxiety in dogs commences after they sense a hint that their master is about to leave. Getting the car keys, turning of the knobs, and other usual morning routine – these hints act like stimuli, or more appropriately, warning signs that tend to get the dog’s attention.
This scenario can lead into disaster as dogs, due to separation anxiety, start to behave destructively. Destructive behavior may include leaving furniture, shoes and other objects inside the house or near the dog’s spot full of paw marks, bites, and scratches.
Sometimes, just like how the puppy howls after being separated from its mother, dogs will bellow unhesitatingly as manifestation of its separation anxiety. Studies prove that dogs, like humans, can also feel an overwhelming fear whenever they feel being left behind. Fortunately, similar to how human anxiety is taken cared of, separation anxiety in dogs is also treated via several methods and medications. To be sure, treatment of animal boredom and anxiety is quite different. Separation anxiety in dogs usually occurs in due to the “super close” attachment between dog and master. Dogs that are “too close” to its master tend to demand constant attention from its handler.
Even the most fervent animal owners must understand that while showing love is important, it is also vital to train a dog to be independent and accept temporary periods of separation. Animals, dogs in particular, that struggle with separation anxiety will show anxiety-related behavior whenever it feels alone or understands that it will eventually be left alone. Having a pet that behaves oddly because of separation anxiety is definitely a problem. In mild cases, your animal may just show a bit of panting or less destructive behavior. In serious cases, dogs may cause intolerable damage to your property and those of your neighbors. You wouldn’t want an annoying neighbor to pester you with qualms about your dog right?
At this juncture, it is important to have information on how to deal with your mutt menace. There are several practical solutions to effectively address separation anxiety in dogs. Check them out.
Encourage Independence
A little distance isn’t always equal to cruelty and neglect. Train your animals to be independent by not always giving in to all its whims. Let them also play with other people so whenever you are forced to get out of the house, your dog wouldn’t end up having shredded sofas and paw-markings on the front door.
Promote Independence
It is also important to make your dog’s house or spot clean, habitable and healthy for your pet. The less conducive the place is, the more the animal would like leave in oder to go to you. This would further strengthen the animal’s attachment with the owner. However, if you let the animal feel comfortable where it is supposed to stay, eventually, your dog will learn to “stay”, and actually enjoy it. Treating separation anxiety in dogs is important to the health of your pet and to maintaining order in your home.
Separation anxiety in dogs commences after they sense a hint that their master is about to leave. Getting the car keys, turning of the knobs, and other usual morning routine – these hints act like stimuli, or more appropriately, warning signs that tend to get the dog’s attention.
This scenario can lead into disaster as dogs, due to separation anxiety, start to behave destructively. Destructive behavior may include leaving furniture, shoes and other objects inside the house or near the dog’s spot full of paw marks, bites, and scratches.
Sometimes, just like how the puppy howls after being separated from its mother, dogs will bellow unhesitatingly as manifestation of its separation anxiety. Studies prove that dogs, like humans, can also feel an overwhelming fear whenever they feel being left behind. Fortunately, similar to how human anxiety is taken cared of, separation anxiety in dogs is also treated via several methods and medications. To be sure, treatment of animal boredom and anxiety is quite different. Separation anxiety in dogs usually occurs in due to the “super close” attachment between dog and master. Dogs that are “too close” to its master tend to demand constant attention from its handler.
Even the most fervent animal owners must understand that while showing love is important, it is also vital to train a dog to be independent and accept temporary periods of separation. Animals, dogs in particular, that struggle with separation anxiety will show anxiety-related behavior whenever it feels alone or understands that it will eventually be left alone. Having a pet that behaves oddly because of separation anxiety is definitely a problem. In mild cases, your animal may just show a bit of panting or less destructive behavior. In serious cases, dogs may cause intolerable damage to your property and those of your neighbors. You wouldn’t want an annoying neighbor to pester you with qualms about your dog right?
At this juncture, it is important to have information on how to deal with your mutt menace. There are several practical solutions to effectively address separation anxiety in dogs. Check them out.
Encourage Independence
A little distance isn’t always equal to cruelty and neglect. Train your animals to be independent by not always giving in to all its whims. Let them also play with other people so whenever you are forced to get out of the house, your dog wouldn’t end up having shredded sofas and paw-markings on the front door.
Promote Independence
It is also important to make your dog’s house or spot clean, habitable and healthy for your pet. The less conducive the place is, the more the animal would like leave in oder to go to you. This would further strengthen the animal’s attachment with the owner. However, if you let the animal feel comfortable where it is supposed to stay, eventually, your dog will learn to “stay”, and actually enjoy it. Treating separation anxiety in dogs is important to the health of your pet and to maintaining order in your home.
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