Dog Separation Anxiety can be extremely frustrating for pet owners however it is extremely manageable. The key is to understand that it is caused by your dog’s personal anxiety and stress of being separated from you. In some instances, behavior modification and holistic treatments work well to aide your dog in overcoming this condition. However, in other instances, your dog may need medical treatments. If this is the case, you should seek the assistance of your veterinarian to help you successfully manage your dog’s separation anxiety.

When you take your dog in for treatments, make sure that you discuss your dog’s behavior when separated. For instance, if you observe any particular behaviors like defecating, panting, urinating, barking, whining, etc then take note of them and tell your veterinarian. He will likely do a complete blood workup and discuss holistic, behavioral or medical treatment options. Continue »

A dog owner has a huge responsibility to keep his or her pet healthy and happy.  It might seem that all a dog needs is food, clean water, and exercise to stay healthy, but this prescription doesn’t address the dog’s emotional wellness.  Dogs are gregarious animals, meaning that they naturally belong in groups.  Unlike the sloth, for instance, dogs live in a pack for survival’s sake, and because they enjoy the company of the other dogs.  When humans take a dog out of its natural pack situation, the human family becomes the dog’s society.  To then abandon it for hours everyday is unethical and harmful to the dog’s well being.  If you’re curious if your dog has separation anxiety, one question to ask yourself is “How much time does my dog spend alone every day?”  Remember that a dog has no concept of time.  He can’t check the clock to reassure himself that his exile is almost over.  To the dog, each minute is an eternity, as he doesn’t know how much time has passed or how much is left before your return.  If you leave your dog completely alone, he probably does have some degree of separation anxiety.  Continue »

Your dog is a beloved member of your family.  This love is also felt by your dog.  In fact, being separated from their owners for a long period of time or even a work day can create anxiety in your dog.  As many pet owners will tell you, this anxiety can wreak havoc on your pet and your home.  That is why it is vital that you seek holistic treatments for dog separation anxiety.

While many dogs handle separation well, other dogs become increasingly anxious when they are separated from their owners.  Some dogs defecate or urinate in the home even though they are crate trained.  Other dogs bark incessantly, which can create problems with your neighbors.  Other dogs will engage in self-destructive behaviors, such as licking an area of the body until the hair is removed and the flesh is raw, in order to cope with their anxiety. Continue »

Does your dog act up whenever you leave the house, even if it is for only a short period of time?  Have you noticed that your previously housebroken dog now leaves “presents” around the house?  Is your furniture being used as a chew toy?  If you have answered “yes” to any of the previous questions, your dog may, in fact, be suffering from dog separation anxiety.

Dogs are very social animals, and they love to spend time with their owners.  However, when they feel that they are not receiving the attention they want, they become confused, stressed, and anxious.  When this happens, your dog will act out in order to gain your attention and engage in negative behaviors.  Dogs that have never exhibited any signs of separation anxiety in the past may develop separation anxiety as a result of change.  Some of the changes that can trigger separation anxiety include a new baby or member of the household, a move, household members moving out of the home, and a significant change in the owner’s work schedule.  Continue »

You will find all the information you ever wanted to know about what causes dog separation anxiety and ways to ease the separation anxiety in your dog and even cure your dog of it’s separation anxiety.