Dog Separation Anxiety
How Can I Tell If This Is Dog Separation Anxiety?
For your dog, separation anxiety may show in many ways and for many reasons. The most susceptible canines are those who have either been abandoned or kenneled in the past, or those who are ongoing changes in the daily routines of their masters. Dogs that are raised in environments where structure, noise level, activity, and timing are not structured tend to have a much easier adjustment to their people moving out and in. A dog that has been raised by a master who has been home a lot and is now absent or gone more often is liable to become distressed during his time alone. His fears and physical symptoms are very real, and he mustn’t be punished for this disorder.
Dog separation anxiety involves fear of abandonment, as we cannot explain to our faithful companions why we have to leave, we they can’t come with us, where we’re going, how long we will be gone, and that we’ll be back by dinner time. They have no comprehension, aside from the fact that you walked out and they are worried about it. They miss you. They have been separated from their pack, which is unnatural and goes against their core instinct. Unless your dog has been accustomed to this from an early age, the repercussions of his dog separation anxiety will become very clear to all who know him.
Confining your dog in small spaces while you are away for long periods of time may save your furniture and your carpet from messes and chewing, but this solitary condition only heightens the symptoms and intensity of dog separation anxiety. Being alone should mean peace and quiet, naptime, lounging, and guarding the den until the pack returns. If your dog associates your departure with the compounded fear of loneliness and confinement, he is likely to become more inconsolable, and therefore more unpredictable. You may want to consider an alternative means of care for him while you are away, such as a day care facility or a caring family member’s home. He needs patience and reassurance during this time, and breaking him into his alone time gradually will save everyone quite a lot of grief.
Some of the most obvious signs of dog separation anxiety, unfortunately, are those that we notice when returning from our departure. Chewing, defecation, urination, and scratching or digging are a few common tactics used by dogs to release some of their panicky energy. If he has relieved himself or chewed on things in your home, it is important to reiterate that punishing him is not an option. No matter what you do to show him why you’re angry, he will not understand the punishment. He will more likely associate your anger as the “icing on the cake” of the horrible day he spent worried, lonely, and fearful of abandonment.