How Giving Your Dog Too Much Attention May Lead to Separation Anxiety

So you just purchased a new puppy and you want to carry it all around with you and wherever you go. You want to spoil it rotten and play with it every chance you get. When you have a new puppy or even an adult dog, it becomes hard not to become too attached for many of us. We want to play with them and give them all of the attentionin the world. So why is this bad for your dog? Well, not all, but many dogs can develop what is called separation anxiety. This is a condition in which the dog becomes severely distressed when the owner leaves them.

For example, in severe cases, the owner may walk outside to get the mail and while the owner is gone the dog scratches the wooden door or starts chewing at the wooden blinds of the window. When the owner returns, there are wood chips everywhere and the dog is panting quite heavily. This much stress is not good for the dog. So how is behavior such as this corrected? Well first, you should get your dog used to being in a crate starting when he/she is a puppy. This will help you out in the long run and prevent behavior like this from ever occurring. This will train your dog that being in a confined space is ok and that you do not have to be around constantly.Second, you should give you and your dog some space and not spoil him/her too much. If you do, they will become so attached to you that it will become a major problem that is difficult to correct.

So when you come home from a long day at work, I know it is hard not to do this, but refrain from getting overly excited to see your pet. They will get all worked up and will expect this every time you come home, and if you don't they will have anxiety issues. Once separation anxiety develops, it is very difficult to get rid of. In severe cases, sedatives are used to help control the behavior. There are other natural remedies such as D.A.P products or Rescue Remedy that may help calm your dog. The D.A.P. products stand for "Dog Appeasing Pheromone" and are designed to act like the mother's pheromone to help calm a dog. The Rescue Remedy is a product that is natural and is used in droplet form in the water. It is tasteless and odorless and helps calm your pet. Just remember that this is a condition that can usually be prevented at an early age.