Separation Anxiety in Dog
What is Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a type of Dog Anxiety, it is a psychological problem that is very common in dogs, namely the ones who are intolerant towards being alone. Dogs have the same basic instincts as every other living creature on this planet. These instincts are to survive, to feel secure, to procreate, and to protect their offspring. When a dog feels secure and safe when left alone, he is happy. If something happens while he’s left alone that makes him feel insecure or unsafe, then he has an instinctive reaction with his other needs that will cause him to panic and behave aggressively.
We can easily understand that there’s an instinctive reaction going on here. The fact is that we’re all animals. We have instinctive reactions to the things around us that threaten our survival, security, or procreation. In the domestic dog’s world, his survival and procreation are accomplished with his human family. He bonds with them and protects them as part of his pack.
When a dog is separated from his human family, it puts him in an insecure state of mind. The longer he’s separated, the more insecure he gets until he reaches a point where the feeling is so intense that it will trigger an instinctive reaction. Instinctive reactions in dogs can take one of two different forms. It can either be a fear-based reaction or a stress-based reaction. Fear-based reactions include things like barking, chewing, digging, and scratching at doorways and windows, and other sorts of destructive behaviour. Stress-based reactions usually take the form of inappropriate elimination or flatulence. When your dog does either of these things while you’re gone, it’s not because he needs to eliminate. It’s because your dog is stressed out and has to pee really bad.
Dogs with separation anxiety can also suffer from nightmares when left alone. Imagine what happens to a child who has nightmares in the night and wakes up terrified. Dogs experience the same thing, except their fear is caused by something that happened when they were left alone during the day. It turns out that the human brain is very susceptible to this type of thing.
Since dogs are animals, it’s important to remember that they do what they do based on what they experience in the environment. An act that is perfectly normal when you’re there won’t be so normal when you’re not there. Dogs are very aware of their space and will protect it aggressively if they feel threatened by an intruder. A dog who suffers from separation anxiety is also more likely to get into trouble with the neighbours. Some people consider this to be a good thing because it means that your dog is frightened of or loves you, however, this is not the case, separation anxiety it is a serious medical issue.
What To Do?
How do we deal with separation anxiety?
First, the dog must realize that the owner is not a threat. This is done by creating a program of positive reinforcement. The dog needs to be rewarded for good behaviour when left alone. This will show him that even if he’s left alone, something nice still happens. Dogs enjoy predictability. Just like children, dogs thrive better under routine and structure. Therefore, doing things in the same way each day will help to train your dog to be more obedient and calmer.
There are many ways to teach your dog things that help him be calmer. The easiest is to use a clicker, a marker that makes noise every time the dog does something good. The clicker can be used in place of a treat, it won’t matter so much whether he gets one or not. Clicker training is very useful because it teaches you how to make your dog feel safe and secure. When a dog is feeling comfortable, he may be less fearful about being left alone. It’s best to start clicker training when he’s very young, that way you can keep him safe and comfortable without any unnecessary noise. Doing this is easier than you think. You will be surprised at how quickly your dog will learn things.
Why Do Dogs Have Separation Anxiety?
Dogs, like us, are social beings. They like to be around other dogs and people. They love comfort food as much as we do, and they enjoy sleeping in our beds. In order for them to feel good about themselves, they also need to feel good about us. So, when it comes time to leave the house, there is a natural tendency for the dog to want close contact with his owner.
Many dog owners have noticed some strange behaviour when they leave for work. Some dogs will even cry, whine, or bark to try to convince the owner not to go. This is typical of a dog who has separation anxiety. He is so attached to his owner that the idea of being left alone stresses him out tremendously.
How to Stop Separation Anxiety
On the surface, a dog suffering from separation anxiety seems like he needs constant attention. But in reality, he just needs comforting behaviour within a predictable routine. Dogs thrive when they have a certain amount of predictability in their environment. This will keep him from feeling stressed and anxious. He will be able to enjoy many of the things that you enjoy while you’re there with him, such as reading or watching TV.
The best way to approach separation anxiety is to reduce stress as much as possible by creating a predictable schedule for the dog. This way, he will feel like he always knows what to expect and that he won’t be left alone for too long.
How to Create Separation Anxiety Behaviour Programs
In order for your dog to overcome separation anxiety, you must first establish a routine that will make him comfortable. This is done by leaving him at least once a day for a short period of time. It’s best if you can leave him in an area where he has lots of space and access to water.
The next step is to teach him that going out will help him get the attention and comfort he needs. This can be a very simple matter of waiting in the exact same spot for a certain amount of time. The dog will begin to associate going outside with getting his needs met. Once he begins to learn this, you can make it more difficult by leaving him for longer periods.
Once your dog is comfortable with this, he’ll begin to associate being left alone with being in pain or discomfort. The next step is to teach him that the only way he can get the attention he needs is by going outside and avoiding the anxiety. Once he learns this, you can leave him home alone for short periods of time and then bring him inside when you are ready to go back. Repeat this process every day until your dog is comfortable being left alone for long periods of time.
Summary
Separation anxiety is a very common issue for dogs. It commonly goes undiagnosed because many owners don’t recognize the signs. Usually, a dog with separation anxiety will perform destructive behaviours while the owner is away, such as paw chewing or other on things. Other times, dogs with separation anxiety will whine or bark when their owners leave.
In order to treat separation anxiety, it is necessary to observe the dog’s behaviour while you are around and then creating a schedule that keeps him comfortable. The dog loves spending time with his owner but enjoys being left alone as well. If you understand what separation anxiety is, you will be able to create a plan for your dog that will help him overcome it.
