Leaving dogs home alone is never easy, but many of us are doing these 3 things that are only likely to make separation anxiety in dogs worse.
We mean well and we certainly don't want to cause our dog any more anxiety, yet somehow all our care and concern only seems to make their symptoms more acute. So here are the 3 biggest mistakes we all make when our dogs are suffering from separation anxiety and how we can go about reducing our dogs anxiety instead!
Giving Your Dog Lots of Attention Before You Leave
Most of us hate leaving our dogs home alone at the best of times and it's worse if we know they're going to be anxious while we're out, so we try compensating for it by giving them a big old fuss before we leave, stroking and petting them and telling them not to worry because we won't be gone long.
That's mistake No1 because all of the fuss just adds to their anxiety because they sense that something is up. Its a bit like your 5 year old child giving you a big hug, telling you they love you and that you're not to worry about them while they're gone, and then disappearing. It's guaranteed to send your anxiety soaring.
Create Rituals To Help Them Cope With Their Anxiety
You know the kind of thing. We take them for a long walk (because we've been told if they're tired they'll worry less), we get out their favourite toys (because we hope they will distract them) and then give them lots of attention before we leave.
That's your second mistake, as your dog will soon associate these rituals with you leaving and their anxiety will start to rise before you've even set a foot outside the door. For many dogs suffering with separation anxiety their owner only needs to put on a pair of shoes, or get their coat from the cupboard to set the dog off whining or pacing the floor.
Get Stressed About Leaving Your Dog Before You Go
If you know your dog has separation anxiety, leaving them can be a stressful business. Perhaps you are feeling guilty because you know they'll miss you. Maybe you're worried about the amount of time you have to be out, or it could be you're concerned about what your dog will have chewed up or destroyed before you get home. Either way, worrying like this will increase your own anxiety levels.
That's mistake No3 because dogs are highly sensitive and will pick up on our own anxiety, so if we start worrying before we even leave, they'll know about it. Look at it this way, if a dog can pick up on the signs that their owner is going to have an epileptic fit up to 40 minutes before it happens, they'll definately pick up on your feelings of anxiety! And if you're anxious, they'll assume something is wrong which will only increase their own anxiety.
Less is Best With Separation Anxiety in Dogs
So when faced with the problem of separation anxiety in dogs, the biggest key is to remember that less is best! Treat going out in a very matter of fact way, like its not a big deal and the same when you return home. The less fuss you make, the more your dog will calm down.
If you think its unkind to treat your dog in this manner, understand that it will feel quite natural to your dog as in the wild their pack leader would behave like this naturally. No fuss is made when they come and go as they expect the pack leader to be able to look after themself. So not only will it make sense, it will reduce their anxiety too.
We mean well and we certainly don't want to cause our dog any more anxiety, yet somehow all our care and concern only seems to make their symptoms more acute. So here are the 3 biggest mistakes we all make when our dogs are suffering from separation anxiety and how we can go about reducing our dogs anxiety instead!
Giving Your Dog Lots of Attention Before You Leave
Most of us hate leaving our dogs home alone at the best of times and it's worse if we know they're going to be anxious while we're out, so we try compensating for it by giving them a big old fuss before we leave, stroking and petting them and telling them not to worry because we won't be gone long.
That's mistake No1 because all of the fuss just adds to their anxiety because they sense that something is up. Its a bit like your 5 year old child giving you a big hug, telling you they love you and that you're not to worry about them while they're gone, and then disappearing. It's guaranteed to send your anxiety soaring.
Create Rituals To Help Them Cope With Their Anxiety
You know the kind of thing. We take them for a long walk (because we've been told if they're tired they'll worry less), we get out their favourite toys (because we hope they will distract them) and then give them lots of attention before we leave.
That's your second mistake, as your dog will soon associate these rituals with you leaving and their anxiety will start to rise before you've even set a foot outside the door. For many dogs suffering with separation anxiety their owner only needs to put on a pair of shoes, or get their coat from the cupboard to set the dog off whining or pacing the floor.
Get Stressed About Leaving Your Dog Before You Go
If you know your dog has separation anxiety, leaving them can be a stressful business. Perhaps you are feeling guilty because you know they'll miss you. Maybe you're worried about the amount of time you have to be out, or it could be you're concerned about what your dog will have chewed up or destroyed before you get home. Either way, worrying like this will increase your own anxiety levels.
That's mistake No3 because dogs are highly sensitive and will pick up on our own anxiety, so if we start worrying before we even leave, they'll know about it. Look at it this way, if a dog can pick up on the signs that their owner is going to have an epileptic fit up to 40 minutes before it happens, they'll definately pick up on your feelings of anxiety! And if you're anxious, they'll assume something is wrong which will only increase their own anxiety.
Less is Best With Separation Anxiety in Dogs
So when faced with the problem of separation anxiety in dogs, the biggest key is to remember that less is best! Treat going out in a very matter of fact way, like its not a big deal and the same when you return home. The less fuss you make, the more your dog will calm down.
If you think its unkind to treat your dog in this manner, understand that it will feel quite natural to your dog as in the wild their pack leader would behave like this naturally. No fuss is made when they come and go as they expect the pack leader to be able to look after themself. So not only will it make sense, it will reduce their anxiety too.
About the Author:
Learn more about separation anxiety in dogs. Stop by our site where you can find out all about the best ways to reduce your dog's anxiety as well as your own whenever you leave your dog home alone.
No comments:
Post a Comment