Dog separation anxiety can cause a gut wrenching feeling when pets are left home alone. However, before we go on to discuss the tricks and tips available, we need to break down the issue at hand. There are two different problems you may be experiencing here. So, its important to understand which of the two your animal is suffering from.Both types can be solved quite easily when you use dog separation anxiety training.
The symptoms of separation anxiety are not hard to identify. Your pet will drool, start behaving erratically, wine, or bark when you leave her alone. The problem you are experiencing can be resolved with separation anxiety training. So, let's separate out the two types we have here, true anxiety and simulated.
Your pet may suffer from true anxiety issues, or he or she may simply lack leadership and self-control. Simulated separation is a learned behavior and can be compared to how a toddler may react when you leave the room. Toddlers can also suffer from simulated or true type issues on being separated from their parents.
If we are dealing with simulated behavior, your animal has learned that if she acts up you will pay her attention. This attention seeking behavior is often learned as you are not giving your dog enough attention. Negative attention is enjoyed by your pet as it is better than no attention at all. Thankfully, this type of anxiety can be corrected quickly and easily. All you need is a crate, an exercise regime, and some discipline. Don't give in to your pet and only reward them when they deserve it.
Cases of true anxiousness however impose a bigger challenge to dog owners. You may have unknowingly caused the problem yourself; making a fuss every time you leave or come home. If you have had your pet since he was a puppy, you may have created the problem yourself. As a puppy, you took your dog with your everywhere. As she grew older, you would suddenly start leaving her alone. If you leave it too long before you start to leave your animal alone, you will create separation issues and your pet will become anxious.
The underlying problem you have here is the change you made to your pets routine. If however your pet is also destroying everything in its path, your dog may be bored and lacking in exercise. Dog training is therefore needed in order to reverse the behavior. Affection should only be given to your dog when she has deserved it, and strict discipline and exercise should come first. What you need to do here is establish a balance between patience, confidence, and obedience.
In order for you to be successful, your dog needs to be confident with you and with himself. Once he can put his trust in you he will no longer fret when you leave him alone as he is sure you will return. When you start the process of teaching your animal to stay calm, a crate is recommended. The crate should be your pets safe place and it should not be filled with distractions such as treats and toys.
Your new regime should ideally start from day one. On leaving the room you need to teach your dog to stay calm and settle. The crate used should not be filled with toys or other distractions such as food and water. It should be a simple safe haven for your pet that is big enough for her to stand up and turn around in. If you have brought up children, then all of this will sound very familiar. Teaching your pet to be calm when you leave him alone is very similar to teaching your baby to not cry when you leave the room.
The symptoms of separation anxiety are not hard to identify. Your pet will drool, start behaving erratically, wine, or bark when you leave her alone. The problem you are experiencing can be resolved with separation anxiety training. So, let's separate out the two types we have here, true anxiety and simulated.
Your pet may suffer from true anxiety issues, or he or she may simply lack leadership and self-control. Simulated separation is a learned behavior and can be compared to how a toddler may react when you leave the room. Toddlers can also suffer from simulated or true type issues on being separated from their parents.
If we are dealing with simulated behavior, your animal has learned that if she acts up you will pay her attention. This attention seeking behavior is often learned as you are not giving your dog enough attention. Negative attention is enjoyed by your pet as it is better than no attention at all. Thankfully, this type of anxiety can be corrected quickly and easily. All you need is a crate, an exercise regime, and some discipline. Don't give in to your pet and only reward them when they deserve it.
Cases of true anxiousness however impose a bigger challenge to dog owners. You may have unknowingly caused the problem yourself; making a fuss every time you leave or come home. If you have had your pet since he was a puppy, you may have created the problem yourself. As a puppy, you took your dog with your everywhere. As she grew older, you would suddenly start leaving her alone. If you leave it too long before you start to leave your animal alone, you will create separation issues and your pet will become anxious.
The underlying problem you have here is the change you made to your pets routine. If however your pet is also destroying everything in its path, your dog may be bored and lacking in exercise. Dog training is therefore needed in order to reverse the behavior. Affection should only be given to your dog when she has deserved it, and strict discipline and exercise should come first. What you need to do here is establish a balance between patience, confidence, and obedience.
In order for you to be successful, your dog needs to be confident with you and with himself. Once he can put his trust in you he will no longer fret when you leave him alone as he is sure you will return. When you start the process of teaching your animal to stay calm, a crate is recommended. The crate should be your pets safe place and it should not be filled with distractions such as treats and toys.
Your new regime should ideally start from day one. On leaving the room you need to teach your dog to stay calm and settle. The crate used should not be filled with toys or other distractions such as food and water. It should be a simple safe haven for your pet that is big enough for her to stand up and turn around in. If you have brought up children, then all of this will sound very familiar. Teaching your pet to be calm when you leave him alone is very similar to teaching your baby to not cry when you leave the room.
About the Author:
Get a summary of the factors to consider when picking a dog trainer and more information about a professional who offers dog separation anxiety training services at http://www.hart4paws.com now.
No comments:
Post a Comment