It’s not uncommon for some dogs to have a tough time when their owners leave for work, or even just to briefly go to the shops. This can often be attributed to separation anxiety due to a dog being attached to one specific person in a household. When that person leaves, a dog with separation anxiety may have a tough time coping, which can result in the destruction of objects around the house and the house itself as they try to work a way to escape. There’s no need to fret, though – there are a variety of ways to manage dogs with separation anxiety, many of them being very simple in nature to execute. With a little bit of time invested on your part, your dog will soon be completely fine with your absence.
More training leads to less anxiety
The yelping and mangled furniture associated with a dog with separation anxiety may initially have many new pet owners searching Google for pet insurance reviews, but separation anxiety isn’t necessarily something you need to contact the professionals for. Training is a good first step, and one that will pay off with some persistence. Letting your dog know that you’ll return soon, such as by staying outside for a few moments before coming back inside, will reinforce that you won’t be gone for long, and that you’ll be coming back. From there, you can work on spending slightly more time out of the house each time so that your dog gets more used to longer absences. From here you can go for small drives, returning after a slightly longer time each trip to help let your dog know that you leaving is normal, and that you’ll return. Giving your dog treats is also a helpful way to let them know that the situation is ok, and that you’ll be coming back after stretches outside of the home.
Trust in the crate
If your dog is a habitual property destroyer, crate training might also be a good solution to manage its separation anxiety. Training your dog to enjoy staying in the crate while you’re out of the home – such as positive reinforcement such as treats and rewards – will eventually ensure your dog will be able to better cope with your absence while also not ripping up your brand new couch. This is also a particularly valuable approach while you’re looking for the right medication or supplement to help your dog with its separation anxiety, as the interim can be a tough time for your loyal companion. The crate also becomes a safe space for your pet, allowing it to retreat to its own little area when its feeling anxious, tired or scared in a variety of other situations. If the crate doesn’t work for your dog, doggy day-care is another great solution and will help your dog better socialise (if it’s in your budget).
Giving your dog confidence
Besides the different methods of training and doggy day-care, there are a few more options to manage your dog’s separation anxiety, including things such as toys and chewy treats. These kindsof items will ensure your dog is productively occupied while you’re gone, rather than occupying themselves by tearing up all your cushions and gnawing on your best pair of leather shoes. In the event that not even these things work, consulting your veterinarian might be the best course of action. A vet may be able to better determine warning signs in your dog and prescribe them anti-anxiety medication to better help them cope in the long run.
