Separation Anxiety: Soothing The Savage Beast

By Garrett McMahan


Dogs love their owners and they want to be around them always, and while dogs don't get happy when they are left alone when their owners leave, some dogs get extraordinarily upset and uneasy. Some of them bark while others urinate anywhere, and others scratch on doors and also furniture. Separation uneasiness is common in dogs but there are ways to calm your dog, and this will make more times for your dogs to get at ease when you leave home.

It may not be such surprising but a well-trained dog can be a dog with less uneasiness. When a dog has completed the obedience training, he knows what to expect from the owner because the two of them have close bonding. A well trained dog is happier because of the understanding acquired and he knows his world and how it works. For a dog, it will be hard to be secure when he doesn't even know what to do or what will happen.

While our dogs aren't born knowing how to behave properly, owners also aren't born knowing how to train their dogs. A dog training DVD program can be a great option for those needing help with obedience training as this can be more convenient than scheduling a class or time with a professional trainer. The Dog's Way is one video dog training program to consider. It includes 12 lessons and with about five or six weeks of dedicated training, your dog should be able to obey a wide variety of dog training commands.

On top of the dog training videos, you can already start desensitizing your dog. Dogs already know behaviors like when you put on your shoes or your jacket, and he knows you are leaving and can already trigger uneasiness. The way to desensitize your dog is to put on your shoes and jacket, but do not leave and just sit on the living room or take a snack or read books. In the long run, your dog will not associate the behavior as you already leaving.

Often, it's best to ignore a dog before and after you leave. Rather than give them tons of love and soothing words upon leaving and arriving, it's best to simply not pay attention to your dog. Many people use a dog crate when they leave the home, and for many dogs this is a good option but a dog with severe separation anxiety might panic if placed in a crate. Instead, consider confining them to one specific room, confined by a sturdy baby gate. Place familiar toys, treat and a cozy dog bed in the space and spend some time with your dog in this space, petting them and giving them love. This will teach them to attach positive feelings to this space.

Give your dogs some good exercise before leaving and this can be a good idea. They can be less likely to get anxious or troublesome when they are tired and when their energy is already used up. Before you leave also, give them something that will be associated with positive things, like leaving a special treat for them. Get them distracted and keep them busy before you leave house, and this can be by providing a special toy or treat that they really enjoy.




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