It may seem like a sweet gesture to come home to a smiling face with a wagging tail. But when the smiling and wagging escalates to pouncing, tugging and excessive excitation when you return, it could suggest the beginning of a potential nightmare.
Separation anxiety is no stranger to puppies and doggies alike; even doggies at senior age could display signs of separation anxiety. Basically, when a doggy is said to be suffering from separation anxiety, he basically is tormented by the disappearance of his human owner and feels highly unsafe. Some dogs end up engaging in destructive behaviour (like chewing through the sofa or the leg of the table) or barking excessively until someone comes to him to alleviate the anguish and fear. In other words, your doggy is in pain when he doesnt see you, because he learnt when he was younger that he would always have your attention whenever he asked for it.
Doggies are used to being a pack or litter, and it is not normal practice for them to be alone. Even doggies with the most independent nature would feel safe having company. When neglected or left by themselves for too long, some doggies become depressed and may end up engaging in the most unlikely behaviour such as chewing on their own paws or simply falling ill and becoming lethargic all the time.
While it is important to understand the signs of separation anxiety, finding out the causes of your doggy's anxiety would potentially reduce the onset and is extremely important as well! We have always stressed on the importance of establishing yourself as the leader or master of your pup; because to a pack animal, his followers would never leave uncommanded while it is unquestionable when their leaders leave for a while. If your pup has recognized that you are his master, having you leave and return later would not cause the anxiety issue. Another potential cause would also be if too much attention is given to the doggy when he asks for it, especially if the habit is adopted since its puppy days. It is an art to be firm without being fierce, but it is one art that needs mastering for a healthy human-doggy relationship in the long run.
Fret not if your little one is showing signs of separation anxiety! here are some simple tricks which could alleviate the anxiety and anguish on both sides:
1) for new owners, it should always start young. do the independence and self-soothe exercise from the moment you bring your little one home. Never ever pick him up immediately when he cries for you, nor do you give in to his whims especially at meal times. Only good behaviour deserves a big fuss and rewards, bad behaviour should not be reinforced even if it tugs at our heartstrings. Leave your pup's sight from time to time, perhaps by shutting the room door or leaving your pup in the kitchen and going into the living room where he cant see you. This could be repeated often, in longer durations each time. This exercise would go very well with crate training, which we feel is most necessary and would reduce separation anxiety tremendously as the pup is forced to learn to self-soothe and be comfortable with his toys and by himself.
2) For current owners; do not give your doggy attention immediately when you arrive home. you do not want to let the doggy think your arriving home should cause a big hoo-ha to him. run simple errands like getting a drink, taking a shower first before showing your pup how much you really missed him! Similarly, dont make a fuss before leaving home and leaving him alone. you could attempt to occupy his time first with perhaps some treats to take his mind of noticing you are leaving him alone again.
3) For some, it may be a good idea to get a second doggy to become each other's play mates. being crowd animals, doggies generally do good having another four-legged companion. but do make proper introductions to prevent hustling and jostling for your attention (another big headache!)! Do not interfere as well when they are establishing dominance over each other, once the relationship is well-established, co-existance would be more harmonious.
The inability to cope with separation anxiety is one of the leading reasons people put up to give up their once beloved little ones. We sincerely hope this problem gets addressed and nipped in the bud early, before more of our four-legged best friends gets sent away or put down.
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