Dogs are pack animals and they love being social. In other words, they adore spending time with their family and would choose not to be left alone during the day. Unfortunately, daily life gets in the way and you have to go to work, go food shopping, and run errands. This means that your canine has to stay at home.
However, some dogs do not cope well when they are left alone. This can lead them to develop separation anxiety. This means that they become very distressed when they are apart from their owner. Often, this means that you can come home to damage in the house due to destructive behavior. Alternatively, they might bark and whine the whole time you are away from the house.
There are several reasons why your dog can develop separation anxiety. For example, this can be down to their personal and genetics. Alternatively, it may be because of their experiences. For example, if you have been home a lot with your pet recently, they might not like this change in routine all of a sudden.
But, the good news is that there are ways you can prevent separation anxiety from becoming a problem. It is never too late. Here are some things you can do.
Choose a Calming Pheromone Product
There are products you can buy that can help to calm down anxious dogs that struggle when they are left alone. In particular, there are sprays and diffusers that release calming pheromones. This can allow your dog to relax and rest when you are away. In addition, there are supplements for dogs that can help with separation anxiety. Often, they are herbal remedies that may assist in relaxation.
Introduce Alone Time
Often, separation anxiety results from a dog never spending time away from their own. They are around them 24/7 from when they are young. They get used to this routine and they do not understand when they are suddenly left behind in the house. One way to stop this from happening is to introduce alone time from a young age. You can do this gradually, leaving them alone for small amounts of time and letting them know you are going to return. This can help your puppy grow in confidence and know that they are not being abandoned. You can even leave a piece of your clothing for some comfort.
Hire a Dog Walker
If you do not have time some days to exercise your canine before you go out, perhaps it is time to hire a dog walker. This is going to help your dog settle down when they are at home alone. Remember that a tired dog is not going to be an anxiety dog. They can look forward to their walk with a new person and it is an opportunity to burn some energy.
Leave Enrichment Toys
Boredom can often be one of the reasons why your dog is behaving badly when they are left alone. Humans are the main source of fun for canines and when they are not there, they will look for other ways to amuse themselves. This can often involve chewing up the home.
Thankfully, there are a lot of enrichment toys you can give your pet before you leave the house. This is going to keep them entertained. For example, this includes puzzle toys involving treats, as well as lick mats and feeders for frozen food. This is going to tired out your canine so that they do not realize you are gone.
Try Doggy Day Care
Does your pup love to run around and play with other dogs? Socializing is an important part of your canine’s life and it is something that can be really helpful for separation anxiety. When you have to go during the day, you can take your pooch to doggy daycare. This allows them to run around and play with other dogs. They will not realize you are away because they are having so much fun. In addition, they are going to expend some energy and be tired when they come home. Remember that a dog with a lot of energy is more likely to be destructive and anxious when you leave the house.
Start Crate Training
Crate training is going to be beneficial for making your dog feel safe when you are away from home. You can train them to go into their crate to rest, with a comfy bed and some blankets. They can learn that this is their own space and it is safe in here. This way, they have some familiarity when you leave the house.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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