Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on dealing with puppy separation anxiety. During your cohabitation with a puppy, various behavioral problems will occur. One of the biggest problems you will have with your new puppy is separation anxiety. By understanding and recognizing the anxiety, you will be prepared to take the steps to deal with and prevent the situation.
According to studies by a reputable animal behavior clinic, younger loyal friends are usually affected. Therefore, please deal with this issue immediately. Many people will have to leave their dogs to go to work or to take care of the kids. So, it’s good to spend time with your puppy so you can get to know their behaviors beforehand.
Different types of dogs have different needs. For example, if you want a Labrador Retriever you may want to have a little look at https://chocolatelabradorretriever.ca/lab-puppies-for-sale. You can get to know a little about the needs of a Labrador and how they develop. However, separation anxiety can be shared in younger dogs, but it can also affect older dogs.
What is Separation Anxiety?
Whether we are dealing with a puppy or an adult dog, the stress of separation occurs at a specific time. This could be from the time you leave him alone at home until the time you return. The symptoms vary; however, the dog will be frightened to sit at home alone. Well-known zoologists who specialize in animal separation anxiety have given an interpretation of it. They say that although we can not know what the dog has in mind, anxiety as the equivalent of a panic attack.
So, if you are a responsible owner of a new puppy learn how to lay the foundation for a well-adapted and well-behaved dog. Training, socialization, and cage training will contribute to the reduction of stress.
Unfortunately, anxiety is something that presents unique challenges. It is not just about occasional crying when you leave home or discover a torn sock when you return. It also goes beyond the classic boredom or a small disorder of your dog. Separation anxiety is the result of a great deal of stress.
The destruction of a pillow or the accidents during which dogs defecate has nothing to do with separation stress. So, make sure these events are not the result of inadequate training. Also, consider these things: are you sure your dog understands good manners even when you are not present? Is he well trained to go to the bathroom? Make sure you know how your dog behaves in your absence by using video recording. If you have to see a specialist, you can show them the evidence.
What causes separation anxiety? It is not yet completely clear why some puppies are more prone to separation anxiety than others of their age. However, there may be a number of reasons for separation anxiety. For example, never leaving your dog alone or having traumatic experiences like those found in dog shelters can cause anxiety. Even a traumatic event in your absence, such as someone breaking into your home, can lead to anxiety. The truth is that each puppy’s personality plays a vital role.
Other causes have to do with daily life changes, such as a sudden change in your schedule. Additionally, moving to a new home or the sudden absence of a family member can cause stress. The absence can be death, divorce, or a family member heading off to college. Research has shown that a possible cause of anxiety can also be a lack of daily exercise. So, prevention and treatment at the onset is essential.
The first signs in a pup
Unfortunately, there is no one sign of anxiety. Dogs can experience stress in many ways. As a result, one or two of the incidents below may not be signs of separation anxiety in puppies. However, if your dog shows multiple symptoms often, he may be suffering from separation anxiety. Below are some behaviors that your dog may exhibit:
- Excessive barking or screaming.
- Accidents at home – urine or defecation.
- Destructive behaviors such as chewing or digging, especially around doors or windows.
- Behaviors that indicate stress include slow walking, crying, or trembling while you are away or preparing to leave.
- Excessive salivation or shortness of breath.
- Desperate, desperate attempts to escape the house resulting in serious injuries.
According to the latest scientific studies, the above symptoms are why many dog owners abandon their dogs. This is quite unfortunate as separation anxiety can be treated with some simple, essential tactics.
Dealing with puppy separation anxiety
It is devastating to return home with damage caused by your anxious loyal friend. However, it was just as devastating for them. Your goal should be to resolve the dog’s anxiety by teaching him to have fun. Or, at least be able to be calm when alone. You may already be doing this through your puppy’s training, but consider these methods appropriate for treating anxiety.
Take a look at the following tips:
- Exercise – Exercise will not completely cure your puppy’s separation anxiety. However, it is an excellent way to prevent and treat stress. First, make sure your puppy is getting the proper exercise for his or her age. Larger dogs, in particular, have a tremendous amount of energy to consume. Therefore, a dog who used plenty of energy playing and walking with you is more likely to stay calm when you need to leave. Second, do not neglect the “spiritual” muscles of your puppy. Training sessions, puzzle games, and mind games are all excellent choices. Mind training can be as tiring as body training, but it can be quite enjoyable and fun.
- Your Dog’s Independence – It is very important to be comfortable when you leave or return home. Greet your dog lovingly but do not be overly diffuse and emotional. Stay calm without big outbursts of love because your dog will start anxiously waiting for such outbursts, and their stress will continuously increase. Also, if you find damage or accidents when you return home, do not punish your dog. If you do the opposite, you will add stress and the problem instead of decreasing; it will grow even further.
Many dogs feel more secure and comfortable in their cage than when they are alone in another part of the house watching you leave; however, other dogs panic at the idea of the cage. Test the cage and see if your dog’s stress will decrease or stay. Remember, the goal is not to leave your loyal friend locked in a cage all day as a solution to separation anxiety. Your real goal is to keep your dog safe as well as your home while teaching them how to have fun staying alone for a while. It’s time to start enjoying life with your new pup and appreciating the life you are creating together.
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