Dogs are social animals who need companionship. The need for companionship and social interaction is as important as food, water, and shelter. You must be willing to give your dog plenty of time and attention if you want him to be happy.

Your dog is bound to feel anxious if left alone for a period of time. There are some other factors that can contribute to separation anxiety.

For a comprehensive guide that will help with dog separation anxiety, as well as other dog behavior problems, check out Secrets to Dog Training by Daniel Stevens.

Certain dog breeds show a predisposition towards separation anxiety. German Shepherds, Springer Spaniels, Weimaraners and Springer Spaniels seem to be prone to anxiety. A dog is more prone to separation anxiety if they have been removed from their mother at too young of an age. This fear can develop when a dog has grown attached to a family and is then taken to a dog pound. The main reason dogs develop separation anxiety is neglect.

If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety he will follow you around the house becoming anxious when you put on your coat or if he hears the jingling of keys. When your dog is fearful that you are leaving he may cry and temble or he may become aggressive in an attempt to keep you home.

After you leave your dog, trying to go after you, may scratch at doors and windows. He may also chew on anything he can find and bark incessantly. He may even urinate or defecate. In order to alleviate his fears your dog may lick himself over and over again until it becomes raw.

There are some things you can do to help your dog deal with his anxiety:

You must first help your dog get used to the idea of your leaving. Pretend you are leaving. Put on your coat, take out your keys and jingle them. Following this step you could open your door. At this point you don’t leave the house but sit down and do something else. Continue this step until your dog is not afraid you are leaving. When your dog does not become anxious, with the idea of your leaving, give him a treat and plenty of praise. The next step is to actually leave and then immediately return. Continue doing this until your dog does not react. Don’t hurry these steps.  Take your time and be patient with your dog.

Check out Dog Separation Anxiety for a complete guide on how to prevent this common behavior problem.

Exercise is also important. Dogs require a lot of exercise. Taking your dog for a long, fast walk is one of the best things you can do for him before you leave for the day. Your walk should take 15-20 minutes.

Provide toys for your dog to chew on. You might also give your dog a bone to chew when you are leaving. This may distract him.

Playing classical music, at a low volume, is also beneficial. In this way your dog may not feel totally alone and the music can have a calming effect.

It will also help your dog if he has a place to see what is happening outside. He will not feel so isolated if he can see what is happening.

If you will be gone for 8-10 hours plan to have someone walk your dog in the middle of the day. This will provide needed exercise and attention.

It is important that when you return home you do not seem overly concerned for your dog.  Simply greet him calmly and act like everything is all right. You will only validate his anxiety by being overly sympathetic. If you are too sympathetic your dog’s anxiety will increase because you are affirming his feelings of panic.

Is your family’s life style the best situation for a dog?  Consider that carefully before getting a dog. Are there long periods of time when you are away from home? Do you understand the time a dog requires?  Are you willing to give a dog the time and attention he needs? Your dog requires a great deal of social interaction to be healthy and happy. Not every family’s situation is best for a dog.

I hope this article has been helpful. For additional help with dog training go to Dog Secrets Discovered.

Does he display unusual behavior like destroying your furniture or barking too loudly for no reason?

What really is separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a case wherein a dog gets stressed out whenever his master leaves him alone; typical signs of separation anxiety are frequent whining, pacing, chewing furniture, scratching wooden doors, raucous behavior that involves frequent barking and many more.

These are clear signs that your dog is suffering from stress and loneliness and these activities are their way of venting out to relieve the pressure.

Ideas to help deal with seperation anxiety:

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

• Spend more time with your pets

Dogs that experience separation anxiety can’t heal themselves, as their owner you have the responsibility to tend for them and make them well.

In preventing dog separation anxiety, it is important that you spend more time with your dog; this extra attention will make him feel loved.

• Give him a space of his own

Dogs that suffer dog separation anxiety want to be beside their masters at all times, they are very clingy and will follow their owners wherever they go.

You are not going to be able to spend an unlimited amount of time with your dog so changes will need to be made.

You can help your dog gain maturity and develop independence by setting up specific area wherein he can play and spend time alone.

Give your dog regular attention. This will show your dog that there is a proper time and place for everything.

• Train your dog

Dogs love to train; it gives him a notion that he shares a secure relationship with his owner as it enjoys having physical interaction.
Do some regular training routines; not only is it fun, it will also bring you closer to each other and will help your dog become confident and obedient, a key ingredient for a better relationship with your pet.

Canine Separation Anxiety

• Treat your dog with respect

One way of showing respect to your dog is to offer him a quick but meaningful goodbye.

Don’t exaggerate your goodbyes though; sad and over-sentimental goodbyes are very unnecessary and will only worsen your pet’s anxiety levels.

Make partings short, simple and quick.

No matter how frustrated you are never yell or be violent to your dog.

You should take into account that the problem is your dog’s anxiety and not the dog itself; most owners resort to violence and maltreatment but these methods just worsen the dog’s condition.

Dog Training Advice

A few ways that will let you know if your pet truly has anxiety problems:

Your dog sticks to you like glue as you move around the house; The pets demeanor changes, even a little bit as you prepare to leave;He acquires the nasty behavior of going to the bathroom all over the place anytime you leave him alone.

If any symptoms from above are displayed in your pet, he is more than likely dealing with dog separation anxiety. Below are some of the better known myths about this behavior.

Help Your Dog Separation Anxiety

Our dog tore up the house all because we left home without him.

While there are some pets who are dealing with dog separation anxiety that will destroy things, they are not doing so to punish you. No, this problem was formed because of an ever increasing amount of stress that your pet is feeling as a result of being left alone.

Crating Your Pet Will Fix The Problem

Sure, if you crate your pet he won’y tear stuff up, but it isn’t going to help his anxiety problems one little bit. It is true that using the crating method on a dog with separation anxiety issues could prove harmful to him as he could hurt himself trying to get out of the crate.

Really Getting After Your Dog Can Fix Dog Separation Anxiety.

This method will produce an opposite effect. The dog has already begun to feel the stress and anxiety building as a result of you leaving. Imagine that when you arrive home and he is met with some screaming, maybe some hitting or another type of punishment. Don’t forget that your pet isn’t doing these things to be bad, it is just happening because he feels panicked.

How can dog separation be treated? There are different answers and they all depend on how severe the condition is. If the anxiety is mild, then you can use simpler methods. For example, do not put on a big show after you arrive home, just stay calm and give him a short comforting pet.

By leaving behind an item with your scent on it has helped some dogs with mild anxiety issues find comfort.

There are no quick fixes when it comes to dog separation anxiety, especially the more severe cases. If it is the severe form of anxiety you may want to leave your dog with friends or family while you are gone.

Don’t forget, at this point your dog needs your help and he needs you to find a treatment for his problem.

This Guide Can Help

Preventing puppy separation anxiety can start before the adoption of your dog. You should wait until your puppy is completely weaned away from his mom, which normally occurs by eight weeks of age. Puppies need to be given some independence from their mother. When dogs are taken away before then, they may be prone to puppy separation anxiety.

For a great guide to solve your dog behavior problems, I recommend that you check out: Puppy Separation Anxiety.

Anti-separation anxiety training can be started as soon as you bring your puppy home. First of all, you shouldn’t make a fuss when you leave your puppy alone. So you mustn’t lavish extra attention and hugs on your puppy. Initially, puppies should only be left on their own for short periods of time. When you get home, you should act normally and not make a fuss.

A dog that is already showing signs of puppy separation anxiety when he is adopted may be more difficult to train. Rest assured, your efforts will make it worthwhile. Separation anxiety is most often experienced by adult dogs from shelters or strays. They have probably had a tough life before being fortunate enough to be adopted into your family. Don’t give up on them! These adult dogs will frequently be more trusting and loyal.

About half of all adult dogs will improve if given the proper training. However, you may need to change your routine in order to desensitize them to your leaving.

It may help a dog that experiences separation anxiety if you take a close look at his situation to determine the cause for his behavior. Don’t make a huge fuss when you leave home. Start slowly by leaving these older dogs for a short while, gradually working up to a longer period of time.

Providing distractions for your puppy when you leave is also a good idea. Once the puppy separation anxiety has subsided, your pup will generally calm down with thirty minutes to an hour. Toys or chewies are a good way to keep him occupied while you’re away. This could help him to get beyond the initial hurdle. Toys filled with goodies like cheese or peanut butter are another option. It will take time for your dog to reach the treat so he will work on it until he gets to it. This will assist him in forgetting about you and his separation anxiety.

Crate training is another good option. Crates are particularly effective for destructive dogs. Do not destroy their crate as they think of it as home. You should not use the crate for punishment as the dog will feel negatively about it. It is important for a dog to feel safe in his crate. By giving your dog food and treats while he’s in the crate, he will feel positively about the experience. Once you feel sufficiently confident that your puppy or dog will not destroy your property during your absence, leave him for a short period of time. You should leave the door of the crate open so your dog’s sanctuary is available to provide him with comfort.

Your veterinarian may have other suggestions to stop puppy separation anxiety. It is important to note that separation anxiety happens for many different reasons.

To learn how to deal with puppy separation anxiety, I suggest that you take a look at Secrets to Dog Training.

It should be understood that chewing is a natural and healthy activity for puppies and shouldn’t be stopped. It is only when the chewing becomes destructive that it should be stopped. The aim of this article is to illustrate the main reasons for chewing, then to give you advice on how to end this.

There are many reasons why your puppy is chewing your house to shreds. The ones detailed below include teething, boredom and separation anxiety.

Teething
At about 3-4 weeks your puppy’s teeth start to emerge. By 16 weeks they will start to fall out when the first permanent teeth start to break through. When their gums are sore, they chew to ease them.

Boredom
Young puppies are quite likely to get bored quickly. They need an outlet for their energy such as exercise and mental stimulation. If left alone for too long, your puppy could easily become bored and will then turn to a destructive behavior such as chewing.

Stress and separation anxiety
Your puppy may start chewing in order to relieve his stress and separation anxiety especially if he is left alone too long.

Once you know what the reasons for your puppy’s destructive chewing, it will help you to take remedial action. Here are some tips to help you stop inappropriate chewing.

• Start by giving your puppy three or four toys. Make sure that they are different in texture, taste and shape and are sturdy so your puppy does not become bored too quickly.
• By playing regularly with your dog with the toys, they are more likely to play with them when left alone because of pleasant.
• Any items of value should be put out of reach. You can also discourage your puppy from chewing your furniture and other objects by spraying something like Listerine or other anti-chew deterrent. You puppy will not like the taste and will stop them from chewing.
• In the beginning it is important not to leave your puppy alone for extended periods of time. Start off with a short 10 minute period and gradually build up to longer absences.
• If you are away for a period of time or cannot watch your puppy, you could confine them either in a pen or crate.
• Always praise your puppy when you see him chewing appropriate items. This establishes the desired behavior through positive reinforcement. On the other hand if you see your puppy chew on something he shouldn’t, say something like “no” or “stop” in a stern voice. Consistently doing this will give a negative association.

Now that you understand the reasons for your puppy’s chewing, you should be able apply the necessary remedial course of action. It is very important to reward the desired behavior and to correctly teach your puppy what he is allowed to chew and what he is not allowed to chew.

Check out these links to read more about how to stop a puppy chewing, separation anxiety in puppies and boredom in dogs.