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Separation Anxiety

Puppies and dogs experience a high level of anxiety when left alone even for very short periods of time. Most puppies learn that when they are left alone, nothing really bad happens to them, they are still alive and their people come back. They learn how to entertain themselves while alone and gain confidence in their ability to be alone. As they grow up and gain confidence their people can leave them for longer periods of time.

Some dogs do not gain confidence in themselves. When dogs that are left alone to long become traumatized by the event. Dogs neglected and/or abused will have low self-esteem. These dogs have been bounced around from owner to owner and usually end up in shelters. After they are adopted to well meaning people that can still carry their low self esteem and exhibit their learned behavior of separation anxiety.

Begin by changing your leaving routine. Dogs that exhibit separation anxiety usually begin to get anxious long before you walk out the door. Most people have a set leaving routine that they go through before leaving the house. The put their shoes on, close the windows, lock the doors, jungle the car keys, etc.. Dogs learn this routine quickly and if they already get anxious from being left alone, this long drawn out leaving routine can make matters worse.

When you leave the house, do so promptly. When you leave say, take care of the house. Do not make a big deal out of leaving just start to teach them a phrase that means: I'll be gone but I'll be back. When arriving home say hello to your dog in a low key manner and go about your day. You need to be low key so that you teach your dog to be low key. If you are overly anxious leaving or coming home your will be conditioning your dog to be anxious.

The first day you leave, you will leave and come back about a dozen times. Each time you leave, increase the time you are gone. Anytime you come home and the dog was exhibiting anxious behavior cut the time you leave in half next time. If the dog is still experiencing separation anxiety cut your time in half again. When your dog is no longer anxious start increasing the times again.

The time and commitment involved in these exercises is best if you do this on a long weekend or vacation time. If none of these times are available start on a Friday afternoon or evening and make this your primary activity for the whole weekend. Repeat this again the following weekend varying the time you are gone.

Dogs are social animals. Any dog that spends 8-10 hrs a day, everyday all alone may begin to exhibit obsessive behaviors that may or may not develop into separation anxiety. A dog that experiences separation anxiety usually does his/her damage as soon as you leave the house. A dog that is bored and lonely will become destructive after a few hours of being left alone.

Another great confidence builder for dogs is any type of training class. Taking your dog to doggie class increases the confidence in being able to handle new situations. It also increases his confidence in you as a leader. Most importantly, it gives him/her the opportunity to socialize with other dogs and people and spend quality time with you.

Another great suggestion for one dog owners that have separation anxiety is adopting another dog or pet. This can be very beneficial for your pet, the dog is not left alone and has someone to play with to release the anxiety they might both feel while you are away.