Learn How to Ease Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety

A dog is truly a man’s best friend and when their best friend leaves their dog alone the dog can suffer from loneliness leading to a case of separation anxiety. Some pets don’t make a big production when their owner leaves the house but others really put on a show. Some people have told of horror stories about their dog’s separation anxiety attacks. They come to homes that look as if a tornado has blown through, couches torn, clothes everywhere, walls dented, even windows broken because their dog literally went bananas from being separated from their owner. While many cats don’t suffer from separation anxiety, dogs certainly suffer. Dogs are pack animals and love company and some are totally lost when left alone. If you have a dog that suffers from separation anxiety, here are a few things you can do to help ease the separation.

Start by slowly separating yourself from your pet. Leave them alone for a couple of minutes in the beginning and slowly increase the length of separation time. Give them a treat or a toy when you leave this will help occupy their time. Work your way up to actually leaving the house for longer periods, like twenty minutes or so, give your dog a treat or toy when you leave. Slowly but surely your dog will start getting use to you leaving. The next thing you can do to ease your dog’s separation anxiety is to not make a big fuss over you leaving. I do this with my dog because she hates being left alone, though she doesn’t tear things up she still hates being alone. What I do is tell her, “Bye, see you later.” The more I tell her this the more she understands what I am saying. She now knows what “bye, bye” means and resigns to her area without a fuss. Make sure you say it with ease and in a nonchalant manner, don’t make a big production yourself over leaving. Leave them a special treat or toy, something that they usually don’t get so they will look forward to receiving it every time you leave. A rubber toy with a food taste or smell to it is great this will keep them busy and they will forget about being alone. Your pet will understand that it is no big deal that you are leaving. When you return say something like “I’m back, were you a good dog” or “glad to see me”, give them a treat and a big hug.

Another way to help ease your pet’s separation anxiety is to give her a workout before you leave her alone for a short period. Take her on a nice long walk or play with her for awhile, your pet will be too tired to worry about being alone and may sleep the whole time you are gone. Other ways to ease the separation anxiety is to turn on TV’s, radios, and even the lights to comfort your dog and keep their attention on the noise from the TV or radio and not on the quietness in the house or other noises outside. My dog does not like to stay in a room with no noise, so I turn on the TV or radio and she goes in and sits down by herself. You can also give your dog something to remind them of you like an old shirt, sock, blanket, something with your smell on it so it will ease the separation anxiety. Finally, keep practicing activities so your dog will begin to expect certain things. When dogs know what is going to take place they become more comfortable and confident and that helps to ease any separation anxieties.