Effective Strategies to Calm Your Anxious Dog: Tips & T
Indeed, these behaviors are all symptoms of separation anxiety, a condition that affects not a small number of dogs. They rely heavily on their owners and often suffer from a severe lack of security. Once their human companions leave, they can become overwhelmed with stress.
However, for busy professionals, the time available to play and interact with their dogs outside of work hours and holidays is limited. When dogs become overly dependent on their owners, solitude can lead them into a relentless spiral of anxiety, increasing their likelihood of developing "pet separation anxiety." So, what are the signs of this condition? Pet Encyclopedia has compiled a list of potential symptoms for separation anxiety.
Take a moment to reflect on your dog's behavior at home. If more than half of these behaviors are present, it may be a sign that your furry friend is suffering from "dog separation anxiety." Simply put, their actions are a clear message to you!
It's important to note that a dog's likelihood of developing separation anxiety is greatly influenced by the owner's daily care habits. For instance, a pet owner who has a dramatic goodbye routine when leaving the house may inadvertently exacerbate their dog's separation anxiety over time. Conversely, dogs of "theatrical" owners often do not suffer from anxiety. But it's disheartening to realize that many owners are unaware of their dogs' anxiety, leading to harsh scoldings or punishment after witnessing these behaviors. This only serves to worsen the condition and intensify the dogs' actions. Therefore, it's crucial to seek timely assistance and treatment when issues arise.
In some cases, you can alleviate your dog's anxiety by rewarding them with special treats (which they don't usually get) when you're about to leave, which can help reduce their resistance.
Stressrelief mats, where you can hide snacks in various corners of the room, are also effective. The trendy "energy expenditure mats" that are popular lately use this method to help ease your dog's stress. Engaging in highenergy games with your dog before you leave can be beneficial for dogs with boundless energy, as it can tire them out and prepare them for sleep.
Parents with more time on their hands can experiment with gradually increasing the duration of separation. For example, on the first day, you can return home every few minutes after leaving. Gradually extend the separation time until your dog can handle longer periods.
When preparing to leave and upon returning, avoid any affectionate touching, eye contact, or verbal communication with your dog (including using a monitor to talk to them). These actions can make them feel that separation is a challenging task and intensify their anxiety.
Besides these training methods, Pet Encyclopedia has discovered an unconventional treatment. A study from abroad suggests that classical music can help alleviate stress in dogs with separation anxiety. You can play soothing classical music, such as Mozart's compositions, when you're about to leave.
Combining these treatment methods with the previous ones will greatly assist in improving your dog's condition. But if possible, try to spend more time with them. After all, companionship is the best "remedy" for them!
