Many dog owners have to deal with separation anxiety at some point. They leave for work in the morning, and their dog starts barking or whining, complaining about being left alone. The dog might follow them around the house, become agitated when they try to put on their coat or shoes, or show other signs of distress. This can be tough for owners to deal with, but luckily, there are ways to treat separation anxiety in dogs.
What Is Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a type of anxiety that occurs when an animal is separated from its owner. It's common in dogs, but it can also happen in other animals like cats, birds, and even some reptiles. Symptoms of separation anxiety can include barking, whining, howling, chewing on objects, pacing, destructiveness, urinating or defecating inside the house, and escaping from cages or yards. Some dogs will also try to follow their owner everywhere they go.
How to Treat Separation Anxiety
The first step in treating separation anxiety is to figure out what is causing the anxiety. If the dog has never been away from its owner before, then it's likely that the anxiety is caused byseparation itself. If the dog has been away from its owner before and didn't have any problems, then something else might be causing the anxiety—like a change in routine (like a new baby in the house) or a move to a new home. Once you know what's causing the anxiety, you can start working on treatment.
There are several different ways to treat separation anxiety. One way is through behavior modification training, which teaches your dog to be calm and relaxed when you're not around. This type of training can take weeks or even months to work, but it's often very effective in reducing separation anxiety symptoms.
One of the training courses that we recommend is Brain Training for Dogs 👇🏼
Another way to treat separation anxiety is through medication. Your veterinarian can prescribe medication that will help your dog relax and feel less anxious when you're not around. Anti-anxiety medications can be very effective in treating separation anxiety but they should only be used as a last resort after other treatment options have failed.
Separation anxiety is a type of anxiety that occurs when an animal is separated from its owner. It's common in dogs but can also happen in cats, birds, reptiles, and other animals. There are several different ways to treat separation anxiety—including behavior modification training and medication—and most dogs respond well to treatment. If you think your dog might have separation anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about the best way to help your furry friend feel calm and relaxed when you're not around.
We hope that this article has helped you and your family better understand separation anxiety and armed you with the information you need to find a product that will help your loved one feel comfortable and secure when away from home. Thank you for helping us spread awareness about this important issue!
Tap the button below to explore our comprehensive guide of the best dog separation anxiety toys and as always thank you for reading.
Member discussion