How to combat dog separation anxiety

Dog is the best friend of man. Though all pets reciprocate the feelings of their masters, the love and affection of dogs, for their owners is incomparable. When the dog is emotionally attached to its owner at times the affection gets a little beyond control. Any period of time the dog spends away from its owner becomes unbearable and thus it becomes a victim of dog separation anxiety.

Not all dogs, but those that have been abandoned by the mother are vulnerable to dog separation anxiety. Spending their life in shelters or pet shops, these dogs are overwhelmed at the attention shown by the new masters. A few of them exhibit dog separation anxiety symptoms in a new environment or with a new owner.

Typical signs and symptoms of dog separation anxiety

Dog separation anxiety, uniformly, makes the dog destructive when the owner departs. They chew on shoes and start knocking things out. After about 20 to 30 minutes they start howling and barking endlessly. The excessive greeting behavior of the dog when the owner returns is the most typical symptom of dog separation anxiety.

A serious of psychological changes affects the dog in the absence of its owner. It does not show these changes in the presence of its owner. While some dogs become hyperactive during dog separation anxiety, a few become slow and depressed. They may urinate and defecate in unsuitable places though properly trained well before.

After a time, they feel the impending departure of their master, and follow him from room to room, and scratch and dig at the door after his departure.

Combating dog separation anxiety

This can be cured by training the dog over time. It should be gradually inured to spend time on its own. First the intervals should be short and increased gradually later. According to professional advice, it should be let to run around and exercise before it is left alone so that it becomes tired and sleeps after the owner leaves. It can be given a heavy meal which has the same effect.

Vets are aware of this problem and medication is available for dog separation anxiety. Gradual training in most cases helps the dog out of this anxiety and lets you enjoy a satisfying relationship with your pet.