Resolving Separation Anxiety in Pets
Pets sometimes face severe separation anxiety. This separation anxiety can take many forms. Some dogs bark continually when their owners leave, potentially disturbing neighbors and resulting in noise complaints. Some dogs use the bathroom in the house, to express their frustration at being left. Other dogs are destructive, tearing up sofas or chewing up shoes when left unattended in the home. Still other dogs have self-destructive tendencies, chewing on their own paws or fur and causing medical problems. In severe cases, dogs can cause themselves harm that leads to premature death; or owners who are unable to resolve separation anxiety issues will be faced with few options other than putting their pets to sleep and purchasing pet grave markers [http://www.peternity.com/products/category/1] or
href="/links/?u=http://www.peternity.com/products/category/4">pet urns to memorialize their sad loss.
In order to avoid this fate, it is helpful to learn how to deal with pet anxiety and how to minimize anxiety. First and foremost, you want to get pets used to you coming and going. You should start this when they are very young, almost from the day they come to your home. You can begin by leaving them for very short periods of time - say, leaving your puppy alone when you go to get the mail. You can gradually increase the amount of time that you are away from home, so that your pet gets increasingly comfortable with being left alone. If you know that your dog has separation anxiety, you can begin with an even smaller step- simply do the things you would normally do before leaving the house, without actually leaving. For example, put your shoes and coat on and pick up your purse, and then sit down on your couch for a while and pet the dog. This will desensitize the dog to your preparations, so the dog will not get into an excited state when he or she sees you preparing to leave your home.
You should also try to find a place where your pet feels safe and secure, so that the pet can stay there when he or she is left alone. For dogs, often a crate works wonderfully. The crate becomes the dogs den, or the dogs' home. Many dogs feel anxiety when left alone because they feel pressure to guard the house, or they don't know where to go or what to do. If the dog is safe in his crate, that pressure is removed and dogs will often nap or lay lazily in their crates, patiently waiting for their owners return. IF you plan to crate train your dog, you should start when the dog is a young puppy so that the dog becomes used to the crate. Make the crate a positive experience, and never send the dog into the crate for punishment.
When you return home, you want to make your arrival as low key as possible, so the dog does not become dependent on the excitement of your return. Do not greet the dog right away, especially if the dog is jumping or whining for attention. Wait a few moments, until the dog is calm, before bending down to say hello. Keep your own mannerisms calm, and avoid excitement or high pitched tones which can add stress to the situation.
href="/links/?u=http://www.peternity.com/products/category/4">pet urns to memorialize their sad loss.
In order to avoid this fate, it is helpful to learn how to deal with pet anxiety and how to minimize anxiety. First and foremost, you want to get pets used to you coming and going. You should start this when they are very young, almost from the day they come to your home. You can begin by leaving them for very short periods of time - say, leaving your puppy alone when you go to get the mail. You can gradually increase the amount of time that you are away from home, so that your pet gets increasingly comfortable with being left alone. If you know that your dog has separation anxiety, you can begin with an even smaller step- simply do the things you would normally do before leaving the house, without actually leaving. For example, put your shoes and coat on and pick up your purse, and then sit down on your couch for a while and pet the dog. This will desensitize the dog to your preparations, so the dog will not get into an excited state when he or she sees you preparing to leave your home.
You should also try to find a place where your pet feels safe and secure, so that the pet can stay there when he or she is left alone. For dogs, often a crate works wonderfully. The crate becomes the dogs den, or the dogs' home. Many dogs feel anxiety when left alone because they feel pressure to guard the house, or they don't know where to go or what to do. If the dog is safe in his crate, that pressure is removed and dogs will often nap or lay lazily in their crates, patiently waiting for their owners return. IF you plan to crate train your dog, you should start when the dog is a young puppy so that the dog becomes used to the crate. Make the crate a positive experience, and never send the dog into the crate for punishment.
When you return home, you want to make your arrival as low key as possible, so the dog does not become dependent on the excitement of your return. Do not greet the dog right away, especially if the dog is jumping or whining for attention. Wait a few moments, until the dog is calm, before bending down to say hello. Keep your own mannerisms calm, and avoid excitement or high pitched tones which can add stress to the situation.
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