How to Help Your Dog Deal With Separation Anxiety
Dogs can get separation anxiety just like people can. It's a condition that can make dogs feel anxious and stressed when there’s something between them and their beloved pet parent. This can be as simple as a door or only when you leave them home alone If your dog has separation anxiety, there are things you can do to help them cope with these feelings of fear and distress. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the best ways to help your dog deal with separation anxiety. Stay tuned for more tips!
1. Exercise Your Dog’s Mind and Body Before You Leave
One of the best ways to help your dog deal with separation anxiety is to exercise them mentally and physically before you leave. A fulfilled dog is a calm dog. When your dog has had a used their mind and instincts, they will struggle less to relax and nap while you're away.
2. Leave Them With a Toy
When you're away, leave your dog with a toy that they can chew on. This will help keep them entertained and provide them with something to focus on. Licking and chewing are great ways to reduce your pups anxiety levels.
3. Give Them a Treat
Another way to help your dog deal with separation anxiety is to give them a treat. When your dog sees you getting ready to leave, give them a treat and tell them they'll get another one when you come back. This will help them associate your departure with something positive.
4. Don’t Say Anything
When you leave avoid talking to your dog right before. Making a big deal of saying goodbye will only make your dog more energized right as your leaving instead of helping them calm down. Instead do your goodbye some time before you leave so there is time for them to calm down again before you leave. This way you still do your farewell love fest with your pup, but it won't leave them excited and upset that you8 left right after.
5. Desensitization and Counterconditioning
If your dog has severe separation anxiety, you should seek professional help. Desensitization and counterconditioning are two methods that a trainer will use to help your dogs with this struggle. These methods involve slowly exposing the dog to the things that cause them anxiety and teaching them to associate them with something positive. If you think your dog may benefit from this type of treatment, please one of our highly trained professional trainers and behaviorist.
6. Ditch The Routine
One of the best ways to help your dog deal with separation anxiety is for them not to be able to predict when you are leaving. The prediction of you leaving is the set up for your dog being anxious, and the process starts before you even walk out the door. So pick up your keys and set them down, put your shoes on and take them off, or get your makeup on and then stay home. Don’t have consistent predictors that your dog can see and start the anxiety before separation even happens.
7. Give Them a Bed or Blanket from Home
Another way to help your dog feel more comfortable when you're away is to give them one of your used shirts or blankets. This will let them small you even when you are away and can help them feel more relaxed.
8. Make Sure They Aren't Over-Stressed
If your dog is already stressed out, they are more prone to developing separation anxiety. Make sure you're not over-stressing your dog and be sure to provide them with plenty of mental and physical exercise, relaxation time, and chew toys.
9. Seek Professional Help
If you're having difficulty helping your dog deal with separation anxiety, please seek professional help. One of our highly skilled behaviorist and trainers can provide you with the personalized tips and techniques to help your dog.
Dogs can get separation anxiety just like people can. It's a condition that can make dogs feel anxious and stressed when away from their guardians. If your dog has separation anxiety, these are things you can do to help them calm down and feel more at ease.