Canine Separation Anxiety: What is It? What Can You Do?

What causes separation anxiety?

Negative behaviors in dogs can be caused by a number of factors. When your dog develops separation anxiety, he is afraid of being alone. This fear can be the result of early weaning, lack of nurturing from humans as a puppy, sudden change in environment, separation from an especially favored family member, and any number of other factors.

Just as with children, if your attitude is too strict, it can cause problems. Conversely, if you are too indulgent, problems may also arise. When you pay too much attention to your dog, he becomes overly dependent upon you and spoiled. This can cause your dog to be unable to tolerate your absence.

How can you tell if your dog has separation anxiety?

Of course, all social beings dislike being isolated. In evaluating a behavior, it is important that you first identify the normal and expected behaviors and avoid attempting to "correct" them. If your dog is lonely and destructive because he is left alone far too much and doesn't have anything to do, that is not his problem - it is yours. If your dog is really not getting enough attention, you need to address that by finding a way to provide him adequate socialization.

However, if you do take your dog on regular walks, play with him and spend down-time with him, and he is still exhibiting anxious behavior, you may be looking at separation anxiety. If your dog paces, follows you right on your heels every time you move, and/or exhibits anxious urination (that is urinating because he is upset, not because he actually needs to) when you are present, he may be suffering from separation anxiety. Likewise, if your dog displays anxious barking for no apparent reason, crying, whining and howling incessantly, attempting to escape from your home, or any other strange behavior in your absence, separation anxiety is probably the culprit.

Anxiety is a big problem for dogs just as it is for people. If a dog remains anxious for too long, he will suffer physically. He may lose his appetite, suffer from nervous stomach (throwing up and having problems with diarrhea), and he may become very destructive, tearing up your belongings and your home.

What can you do?

Get your dog used to being on his own on a regular basis right from the start. Be sure to spend plenty of quality time with your dog by giving him a walk and some play time at regular times of the day, every day, but also make sure he has some time on his own to play with his own toys, rest, and so on. Be sure your dog has been fed, watered, and had a chance to relieve himself. Give him appropriate toys to keep him busy, and let him have time alone every day. Understand that this will be difficult for puppies. They still need lots of attention, so be patient.

Crate training:

An airline kennel can be your best friend in house training a puppy and in helping your dog to feel secure in your absence. If you start early with crate training, your dog will come to view his crate as his private room. He may even go into his crate on his own to rest and have some down time.

To begin crate training, let your dog stay in the crate for a short time while you go out on a brief errand. Start with 15 minute increments and gradually work up to longer periods of time. Never leave your dog crated for more than 8 hours. After being sure your dog is properly fed and watered and taking him out to relieve himself, gently help him into his crate with a favorite toy. Don't leave food and water in the crate. It will just cause a mess.

Say goodbye to your dog. Assure him you will be back soon, and walk out the door. Never look back! Your dog is sure to protest a bit at first. Don't spoil him by going back, or he will just learn that he can control your behavior by whining and crying. He will surely calm down after a few minutes.

If he doesn't - if neighbors report that he continues to whine and cry for long periods of time - here are a few things you may try:

• Turn off the room light, but leave a light on somewhere nearby so your dog won't be in total darkness.
• Leave a radio playing to keep him company.
• Ease his anxiety with a dose of kava-kava before you go.

When you return from your errand, take your dog out of his crate and right to his toileting area. In this way, you will avoid any accidents in the house, and it will give your dog a few minutes to spend time with you when you return. This is a dog's favorite reward!

Although it is best to begin crate training with a young puppy who has not had a chance to develop a case of separation anxiety, this is also an excellent method to use in addressing separation anxiety in older dogs. Although, they may protest at first when introduced to the crate, most will soon learn to view the crate as a quiet, safe, private place. The initial monetary outlay for the crate may seem daunting; however, what it will save you in damaged and destroyed personal property will prove to be well worth it!

For more on the benefits of crate training and how to care for your dog, you may enjoy:

How to Have a Happy, Healthy, Well-Adjusted Dog
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2024716/how_to_have_a_happy_healthy_welladjusted.html?cat=53

Rolling Thunder! Hear My Whine!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1664973/dogs_terrified_of_thunder_what_to_do.html?cat=53

Kava Kava to Ease Anxiety in Dogs
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1761094/kavakava_to_ease_anxiety_in_dogs.html?cat=53

House Training Your Adult Dog
http://hubpages.com/_33f5nedcxoe0n/hub/House-Training-Your-Adult-Dog