Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Author: Laura McKinney
Date Of Creation: 6 August 2021
Update Date: 1 November 2024
Anonim
15 HOURS of Deep Separation Anxiety Music for Dog Relaxation! Helped 4 Million Dogs Worldwide! NEW!
Video: 15 HOURS of Deep Separation Anxiety Music for Dog Relaxation! Helped 4 Million Dogs Worldwide! NEW!

Content

The attachment that some puppies gain in relation to their tutors is immense. the dogs are pack animals and because of that, they are genetically accustomed to spending 24 hours a day with partners. If, to this fact, we add inadequate socialization, sudden routine changes, frustration for lack of essential daily physical activity from spending too many hours alone at home, it is not surprising that a dog develops a state of uncontrollable anxiety and nervousness for him.

In order for you to learn how to identify and solve this disorder, PeritoAnimal teaches you everything you need to know about the separation anxiety in dogs.

What is Separation Anxiety

When there is a hyper attachment in relation to the dog's owner that leads to the appearance of a series of problems when the animal is alone at home, we speak of the so-called separation anxiety. These problems that happen are motivated by the fear that the dog experiences when feeling that he is far from his tutor. He feels threatened, in danger, and activates a alert state which can result in the destruction of objects, desperate crying, etc. As its name implies, the separation for a period of time (whether short or not) between the dog and the guardian produces, in the animal, a state of uncontrollable anxiety.


Dogs are animals used to living in packs. Even though it is hard to believe that they can also develop this type of disorder, what is certain is that 15% of the dog population suffers from this problem. If puppies are not properly suited and their behavior is ignored, it can create an unhappy, sad, stressed or anxious puppy. In either case, it is essential to step in and end this situation as soon as possible.

Causes of Anxiety

Before we delve into the symptoms of this type of anxiety and its possible solutions, it is important to talk about the most common causes that motivate the problem.

As stated in the previous section, the main reason that dogs develop separation anxiety is excessive attachment to their guardian. However, if what you're looking for is the triggering factor that triggered your dog's anxiety, you should pay attention to the following:


  • If you spent most of the day with your dog and, for some reason, you stopped doing it, this is probably the cause of the problem. Going from a routine in which the tutor is always present to a routine in which the dog goes through many hours alone at home can trigger the state of anxiety in the animal.
  • In relation to the previous point, have you made any changes in your daily routine or habits? If so, this may be the reason.
  • Moved out recently? Just as you need a period of adjustment to your new home, so does your partner. When a guardian decides to change, he must remember that, depending on his dog's personality, he must follow a series of steps so that he can get used to his new home as soon as possible.
  • It is possible that your dog feel frustrated or annoyed. Do you spend enough time on your daily walks? Don't forget that, to keep him healthy and happy, you must be informed about the amount of physical activity he needs and provide for it.
  • If your dog has developed this condition all of a sudden, without feeling an excess of attachment towards you or any of the above reasons, the cause may be a traumatic experience that you have experienced while you were alone at home.

If the dog with separation anxiety is still a puppy, the cause may be early weaning.It is very important to respect the time that the puppy must spend with his mother and siblings before weaning him, start feeding him with food and adopt him. In this case, the anxiety the animal suffers from anxiety at having been separated from its siblings and mother, who it considered his pack. On the other hand, if you don't properly socialize your puppy in the first 4 months of life, you could also be causing this disorder.


Separation Anxiety Symptoms

Anxiety can be identified through a series of behaviors strange or abnormal that we can easily see in the dog. The main symptoms of this condition are:

  • the dog appears to be restless, nervous and anguished when he observes that his guardian is about to leave home.
  • Destructive behavior. When he is alone at home, he can destroy objects, furniture and even spread garbage.
  • excessive barking, moans and, depending on the breed of the dog, it may even howl when it is alone.
  • Urinate and defecate indoors. In well-trained puppies, used to taking care of their needs in the street, this unusual behavior can be the key that tells us that something is going on.
  • Exaggerated reception. Puppies with separation anxiety who are very attached to their guardians tend to welcome them with extreme displays of affection and affection. It is even possible that they let out a few drops of urine with such emotion.
  • Vomiting. In severe cases of anxiety, dogs may vomit.

If you have detected that your puppy has any or all of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet to ensure that it is separation anxiety and that it is not the result of a physical anomaly or internal pathology.

Combat Separation Anxiety

Don't forget that, in order for a dog to realize that he has done something wrong, he must reprimand him at the moment he is doing it. That way, if you get home and find damaged objects or furniture, it won't do any good to scold or punish the dog. In order for him to understand, he must be caught red-handed in the act he wants to correct.

On the other hand, if when your dog arrives home, your dog receives you with excessive affection, it is essential not to respond to these displays of affection in the same way. To treat separation anxiety, you must stand firm and don't get carried away by the situation. Veterinarians recommend that you ignore the dog until he calms down. The same happens with the farewell. If, when you leave, you notice that your dog is crying or barking, you should not approach to say goodbye and cuddle. Even though you think you're reassuring him, it's only making his condition worse. You must act normally.

In this sense, it is essential to get your puppy used to being alone at home from an early age. Even if you are a person used to leading a sedentary life, it is essential that the tutor leaves during the day, with no set time and longer and longer for the dog to interpret this situation as normal. So this can also be a good method to treat and reduce anxiety. Don't forget not to scold the dog if you get home and find something destroyed.

Pay special attention not to always leave at the same time or follow the same routine of habits. This means that if, before going out, you always pick up your house keys, wallet and coat (in that shitty order) you should break with the routine of actions to prevent the dog from associating it with leaving you alone at home, getting anxious.

As you can see, the treatment of separation anxiety is often related to the cause. So, the best solution is always to identify the reason that makes your dog feel that way and find a solution. Consult your veterinarian, he gives advice and guidelines to follow to restore your puppy's stability.

Another option to help relax the dog is the use of synthetic pheromones.

The toys

It is essential to carry out long trips in which your dog must be alone at home for a few hours, toys will be your best allies. Don't forget that the best way to educate a puppy is through positive reinforcement, in order to provide an environment in which the animal feels relaxed and enriched. Only in this way will you be able to prevent him from relating the fact of being alone with something negative.

That way, before leaving you can offer him bones to gnaw which can be found at any veterinarian or pet supply store. On the other hand, toys that allow you to introduce food inside are really useful for combating separation anxiety. He will take a long time to reach the food that is hidden inside the toy and will be entertained in your absence, thus forgetting his fear of loneliness. This type of toys is known as "kong", a very useful tool to treat separation anxiety in dogs used by experts around the world.

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.