Helping Your Dog Overcome Separation Anxiety: Strategies to Make Home Alone Times Happier for Your Pet
What's up with those anxious pups y'all got at home? If you've noticed Fido acting all jittery, whiney, or wrecking the place when you step outta the room, it's probably separation anxiety. Other signs can include trembling, blanketing the house in fur, and making a mess where they ain't supposed to.
To keep Rover from losing his cool when you're not around, slow and steady is the name of the game. Gradual practice is crucial, and ya boy here recommends checkin' out the best pet cameras to keep an eye on your four-legged friend as they learn to chill solo. Whether you can take your hound to the office or not, learnin' to be alone is a vital skill for Fido.
Wonderin' what the heck separation anxiety is and how to deal with it? Look no further! Below, expert vets Dr Racine and Dr MacMillan break down the causes, symptoms, and solutions for this pesky condition, so you and your pet can feel good when you're apart.
Signs of separation anxiety in dogs
Separation anxiety is a common issue for our furry pals. Doggos with separation anxiety freak the heck out when separated from their beloved humans, usually their owners.
Some doggos might only get spooked when their humans dispatch from the house, while others could get anxious even if their owner's just chillin' in another room.
Signs of separation anxiety in dogs can range from nervy to full-blown freak-outs, and include:
- Panting like a madman
- Pacing the house like a caged-up tiger
- Whimpering or howling like a banshee on the loose
- Aggressive behavior, like destruction of furniture or escape attempts
- Markin' their territory inside, where they ain't supposed to drop a squat
It's not exactly clear why only some dogs develop separation anxiety, but what we do know is that it can be a real doozy for both the pup and their peeps.
How to treat separation anxiety in dogs
Want to ease up on your dog's separation anxiety? Here's how!
1. Buildin' Fido's confidence
Dogs with separation anxiety are often on edge in other aspects of their life, too. Help boost your dog's self-assuredness by makin' life as predictable as possible for your pup. Follow a daily routine, keep loud noises and sudden movements to a minimum, and provide a safe space, like a crate or bed, for your dog to hide out when needed.
Another way to help Fido loosen up is by usin' the Nothing In Life Is Free (NILIF) training program. This method asks your dog to perform a task before gettin' any goodies or rewards, followin' a simple command-response-reward pattern.
If you wanna learn more about NILIF training, hit up the San Francisco SPCA website.
Save the day with the Furbo 360° Dog Camera (available on Amazon). This bad boy offers features like tossin' treats with the click of a button and two-way audio so you can chat with your hound while you're away. Bonus: it's got great night vision and offers "excellent picture quality," according to our tester. It'll help ya eyeball your pooch 'til you get back home.
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2. Keep your dog stimulated and tuckered out
Most separation anxiety happenin' is in the first 30 minutes after you leave the house. Help keep your dog busy and distracted while you're gone by exercisin' 'em good and hard right before you take off. Go for a long walk or a rambunctious game of fetch to tire 'em out.
Don't forget about mental stimulation! Provide your dog with brain games, like puzzle toys or a stuffed Kong, to keep their mind occupied while you're gone.
3. Gradually desensitize your dog to your absence
Another smart tactic is desensitization. This means gradually trainin' Fido to handles your absence better by exposin' 'em to it slowly and rewardin' their calm behavior with treats or praise.
Make the process move sloooow for the best results, and always keep your dog under their threshold to prevent anxiety. Over time, Fido will learn that you ain't never far away, and it's all good.
Keep your comings and goings chill and simple to help reduce your dog's anxiety, too. Don't make a big deal of sayin' goodbye, and when you get back home, ignore your dog for a few minutes to keep their excitement in check. Learning to handle your comings and goings like that will help your dog stay calm and mellow when you're apart.
Wonderin' what causes separation anxiety in dogs? According to Dr MacMillan, it's due to:
- Lack of training as a pup
- Traumatic experiences, like abandonment
- Changes in their daily routine, like movin' houses or lack of exercise
Dr. Racine and Dr. MacMillan say that workin' with a professional, like a positive reinforcement-based dog trainer, can help, so don't be afraid to seek help if separation anxiety is a chronic issue. And if all else fails, consider sendin' Fido off to doggie daycare or hidin' a key with a friendly neighbor so he ain't left alone too often.
- To help mitigate separation anxiety in dogs, consider implementing the Nothing In Life Is Free (NILIF) training program, which involves requiring your dog to perform tasks before receiving rewards.
- Providing mental stimulation for your dog can also lessen separation anxiety, such as through puzzle toys or a stuffed Kong.
- Gradual desensitization, where you expose your dog to your absence slowly and reward calm behavior, can help train your dog to better handle your absence.
- For times when you cannot directly supervise your dog, investing in a pet camera like the Furbo 360° Dog Camera with features like treatment tossing and two-way audio can offer comfort and interaction.
- Building your dog's confidence by establishing a predictable routine, minimizing loud noises and sudden movements, and providing a safe space like a crate or bed can help address anxiety issues.
- Veterinary professionals suggest that working with a positive reinforcement-based dog trainer can be beneficial in addressing separation anxiety caused by insufficient training as a puppy, past traumatic experiences, or changes in their daily routine.
- Those dealing with severe or chronic separation anxiety in their dogs may find temporary solutions like doggie daycare or entrusting a key to a neighbor helpful to ensure their pets are not left alone too often.
