Several dog owners in the Golden and Lakewood area, as well as all over the country, are dealing with dogs suffering from separation anxiety. This can be a very stressful process for not only the dog, but for the owner as well. In order to assist with this problem, owners need to look into the reasons why their dog is behaving this way as well as how to help them overcome it.
Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs:
- Constant Urinating or Leaving of Feces: Often, when dogs are going through anxiety they will become overly nervous or frightened, causing them to use the bathroom in the house more often than usual, even when they are already potty trained.
- Barking, Growling, Whining or Howling when Left Alone: Again, because a dog feels so frightened, they may bark, growl, whine or howl when they are left in an area alone. This is often a cry for attention, a request for help or a way of indicating fear.
- Clawing, Chewing, Digging, Biting or Destruction of Things in the Home: Going through an anxiety attack causes a dog to feel very nervous, which means they feel like they have to be doing something in order to calm down. The fear that comes from anxiety mixing with this desire to be doing something of action can result in clawing, chewing, digging or biting things around the house. This can include kennels, carpets, walls, curtains, doorways, miscellaneous items left on the floor, etc.
- Anxious Pacing: Another side effect to that feeling of anxiousness is the need to move. A dog may pace in front of the door constantly until their owners come home. They also could pace when put outside simply because they are shut out of the house and away from their owners.
- Escaping from Kennels or the House When Left Alone: Again, a dog will feel a lot of anxiety when left alone and this can result in the need to escape. In their minds, a dog is running from their anxiety. Therefore, they will chew through kennels, chew through the door or force themselves through a window in order to escape from whatever is holding them.
Assisting a Dog with Separation Anxiety:
- Avoid Constant Affection: It can sometimes be easy to constantly show a pet loving affection. It can especially be easy when a dog is a puppy to hold them whenever they are feeling distressed. This kind of behavior results in a grown dog expecting to be comforted whenever they want it and feel abandoned when an owner leaves the house. In order to prevent this, starting from the very beginning, owners should teach a dog that they need to learn obedience first, followed by affection. They should not go to the immediate aid of a crying puppy, but rather teach them that, at times, they will need to be alone. If an owner finds that their dog is constantly following them around, then change routines in order to break that habit. These small changes can make a huge difference on how a dog relates to their owner on a daily basis.
- Let Them Follow Their Instincts: A dog will often feel anxiety simply due to boredom. Dogs need to follow their instincts, they need time outside to run, dig, bark, play and be a dog. Owners can set aside an area where it is okay for their dog to dig or chew things up, because that is what their instincts are telling them to do. If a dog is constantly being told while in the house not to follow their instincts and then not being given any opportunity to do so while going outside, it can be a huge factor as to why anxiety begins to take hold.
- Teach Obedience from the Beginning: Puppies are cute, cuddly and hard to discipline, but they need to be. So many dog owners make the mistake of waiting too long to start training their dog. Because of this, as stated above, an owner will end up with a grown dog expecting to be treated like a puppy. When the owner does decide to start disciplining, it will take a dog by surprise and they will feel it is an abrupt change in routine and life, thus causing anxiety. This can especially be true for owners that take a harsher approach in their training, causing fear in an animal that was, up until that point, treated like a darling baby. Training needs to be started during the puppy years in order for a dog to understand, from the beginning, that that is how life is going to work.
- Kennel Training: Again, from the very beginning, a dog should be trained to use kennels. This way, when owners want to leave the house, they can leave their dog without any worries. Kennels can be the best form of dog boarding at home because it can feel like a safe place. Adding a toy or dog blanket can make a huge difference for a dog because of the smell and the feeling of comfort they can offer. Training a dog for kennels during the early years should involve keeping them there during the night and when the owners are not home. This way, they understand that the it is going to be a part of their day to day life. Owners should reward their dog when they get into the kennel when they are told or when they go the whole night without whining while being inside the kennel. This way, they will connect it with something good. As the dog grows, they will make an emotional connection with it that is positive and will therefore be able to stay there for longer periods of time.
- Doggy Daycare: Another form of dog boarding is using a dog daycare. These can be especially helpful when owners are going to be gone and cannot take the dog with them. Having a friend or family member come over to feed the dog is another option but it does not offer the benefits of a good dog daycare setting. For dog owners in the Golden and Lakewood areas, dog daycare is a wonderful option during those family vacations. Because doggy daycare offers human interaction, time to play with other dogs and time for outside exercise, a dog can feel much more secure during their owner’s absence.
No dog should have to suffer from something as stressful as anxiety. Various dog owners need to take to precautions, as well as lifestyle changes, that are needed to better the mental health of their dog and create a better environment for everyone involved.
