Deal With Your Puppy's Or Dog's Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is one of the most frequently occurring emotional problems that puppys and dogs suffer from. >>The best guide to dealing with separation anxiety and all other dog behavior problems is Secrets To Dog Training manual. It's the anxiety a puppy or dog gets when his owner leaves him alone in the house. Maybe you go out to work and your dog is left in a state of nervous anxiety. This problem develops because dogs are basically pack animals and are very social in nature and do not like to be left alone for long periods. Some breeds are particularly prone to this problem (German Shepherds, Airedales, Weimaraners and Springer Spaniels) but no dog likes to be left alone for long periods.

Dogs that have undergone a trauma may also be more prone to this problem. This is more often the case when you take an animal from a shelter. Dogs that were separated from their mother too soon may also be prone to anxiety.

A puppy shouldn't be separated from his mother before eight weeks at the earliest. But puppys from pet shops have often been separated earlier than this.

The primary cause for separation anxiety is neglect. Company, attention and affection are a need for dogs that should be satisfied. If it isn't, then separation anxiety is a natural consequence.

The signs of separation anxiety will be quite clear to you when you are about to leave the house:

• whining
• trembling
• crying
• aggression (trying to stop you leaving)
• following you around as you prepare to leave.

After you leave the anxiety only gets worse and can result in continuous barking, scratching at doors and windows in an attempt to get out, and chewing inappropriate items. He may even urinate and defecate inside the house.

In extreme cases, the anxiety may lead the dog to self-mutilate by chewing or licking skin until raw or by pulling out fur. He may also start obsessive-compulsive behaviors like tail-chasing or spinning.

When you return the dog will get very excited and leap around for a longer time than is normal. This is just another sign of the anxiety and should definitely not be encouraged.

How can you deal with this problem? The first priority is to give him plenty of exercise to reduce nervous tension. The longer you are going to be away, the more you should exercise him before you leave. If you are out all day, you should walk the dog for at least twenty minutes and preferably for longer. You should have someone give him a walk at lunch time if you cannot do it yourself.

Be sure to leave some chew toys to occupy your dog while you are out.

Acclimatising Your Dog To Your Leaving

You need to gradually get your dog used to your leaving and for your leaving not to be a problem. To do this you can go through the motions of leaving up to your opening the door but then don't leave - close the door again, sit down and relax. Repeat this until he does not react to it any more.

If she reacts with anxiety at first, do not give him affection or show any signs of being sorry for him. This will just reinforce the anxiety. When there's no reaction, give him affection and treats.

Using these methods, you can solve the problem of your dog's separation anxiety.