What You Need to Know About Dog Separation Anxiety

Adopting a new puppy and welcoming it into your home may be one of the most precious moments of your life as a pet owner. However, you may need to adjust many different parts of your lifestyle when you adopt a puppy. One of the most common problems dog owners experience is separation anxiety, especially at the start of their pet’s lives. 

While it may seem cute at first, separation anxiety causes stress to your dogs and should be adequately addressed. It is vital to look out for the warning signs of separation anxiety in dogs and remember that while it is more common in puppies, it is possible to occur in older dogs. 

What You Need to Know About Dog Separation Anxiety

While dogs may seem more clingy than other house pets like cats and birds, separation anxiety is a whole different animal. It is a condition that causes them to be stressed out whenever they are not physically near their owners. 

Separation Anxiety vs. Normal Canine Behavior

While it may be expected for your dog to whimper when you step out the door to go to work, separation anxiety is very different. This type of anxiety is also not the same as boredom. It is the result of legitimate stress felt by your fur baby.

Signs to Look Out for

There are specific signs to be wary of when you are trying to figure out if your dog has separation anxiety or not. If your dog barks excessively, exhibits anxious behaviors such as pacing and whining as you prepare to leave, or urinates and defecates in various places in your home, these may be possible signs of separation anxiety. A traumatic event like being abandoned or witnessing a house robbery may be possible causes for this anxiety.

What You Can Do

The good news is that you can take charge of the situation and better your dog’s disposition, and reduce their stress about being left alone. Here is a list of possible remedies you can try to reduce your dog’s separation anxiety. 

1 - Crate Training

Buy your dog a crate and create a soft, cozy space for them in it. Teach them that the crate is their safe space. Put fun things like toys and chew toys in the crate to help encourage them to associate it with positive experiences.

2 - Condition Your Dog

Try leaving your dog in another room for short intervals while working or sitting in an adjacent room. As they get older, they will realize that staying on their own is much more bearable than they thought.

3 - Regular Exercise

Taking your dog out for regular walks in the park to enjoy the outdoors is necessary even if they do not suffer from separation anxiety. However, tiring them out will be a great way to get them relaxed before you leave.

4 - Medication

In extreme cases, vets may recommend amitriptyline, which is used to treat depression, or alprazolam, which can help dogs deal with depression and anxiety.

Conclusion

While dog separation anxiety may be difficult to deal with, practicing the possible remedies mentioned above will help you reduce the suffering your dog is experiencing and help them live a happier, stress-free life in their new home with you. 

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