Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Separation Anxiety: Soothing The Savage Beast

By Garrett McMahan


When the dog owners leave the house, dogs often get anxious and uneasy and this is normal because dogs love to be with their owners always, and they can get upset when the owners leave house. There are dogs that scratch on doors or furniture, when this happens, and others bark or urinate anywhere. There are some ways to comfort and soothe your dog, making the time that you leave home be less troublesome for them, because separation anxiety is common among dogs.

Surprisingly, simply having a well-trained dog can help ease some of the anxiety. A dog that has completed obedience training knows what to expect from their owner and they have a close, trusting bond. Well-trained dogs tend to be happier in general because they simply understand their world and how it works. It's hard to feel secure when you don't really know what to do or what is going to happen.

While our dogs aren't born knowing how to behave properly, owners also aren't born knowing how to train their dogs. A dog training DVD program can be a great option for those needing help with obedience training as this can be more convenient than scheduling a class or time with a professional trainer. The Dog's Way is one video dog training program to consider. It includes 12 lessons and with about five or six weeks of dedicated training, your dog should be able to obey a wide variety of dog training commands.

On top of the dog training videos, you can already start desensitizing your dog. Dogs already know behaviors like when you put on your shoes or your jacket, and he knows you are leaving and can already trigger uneasiness. The way to desensitize your dog is to put on your shoes and jacket, but do not leave and just sit on the living room or take a snack or read books. In the long run, your dog will not associate the behavior as you already leaving.

Often, it's best to ignore a dog before and after you leave. Rather than give them tons of love and soothing words upon leaving and arriving, it's best to simply not pay attention to your dog. Many people use a dog crate when they leave the home, and for many dogs this is a good option but a dog with severe separation anxiety might panic if placed in a crate. Instead, consider confining them to one specific room, confined by a sturdy baby gate. Place familiar toys, treat and a cozy dog bed in the space and spend some time with your dog in this space, petting them and giving them love. This will teach them to attach positive feelings to this space.

Give your dogs some good exercise before leaving and this can be a good idea. They can be less likely to get anxious or troublesome when they are tired and when their energy is already used up. Before you leave also, give them something that will be associated with positive things, like leaving a special treat for them. Get them distracted and keep them busy before you leave house, and this can be by providing a special toy or treat that they really enjoy.




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