Puppy Separation Anxiety
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Puppy separation anxiety is fear or distress experienced by your puppy when he is left alone. When you leave home, your anxious pup may bark or whine. In addition, he may be destructive or have potty accidents. The most likely puppies to experience separation anxiety are those with a strong attachment to their owner.
Prevention of puppy separation anxiety can begin prior to adopting your dog or puppy. 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.
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Training to prevent separation anxiety can start immediately after bringing your puppy home. Firstly, don’t make it a big deal when you leave your puppy on his own. Don’t tell your puppy you’re sad to leave him and give him extra hugs and kisses. In the beginning, your puppy should only be left alone for a short while. When you return, don’t make a fuss and carry on with your life as usual.
A dog that is already showing signs of puppy separation anxiety when he is adopted may be more difficult to train. Don’t worry, your extra effort will make a difference. Adult dogs that experience separation anxiety were most likely shelter dogs or strays. Prior to being adopted by your family, it is likely that they had a difficult life. Hang in with them! Frequently, these adult dogs will show greater trust and loyalty.
About half of all adult dogs will improve if given the proper training. That said, your routine may need to be changed to make them less sensitive to being left on their own.
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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. Just as with puppies, don’t make a big deal out of it when you leave the house. Start out slowly and leave the older dogs for a short period, then over time progress to longer periods.
Providing distractions for your puppy when you leave is also a good idea. Puppies normally calm down within half an hour to an hour after experiencing separation anxiety. While you are away from home, it’s a good idea to leave him with chewies or toys to keep him busy. This might help him to get over the initial obstacles. Another possibility is toys stuffed with cheese or peanut butter. Your dog will work on it until he reaches the treat which will take some time. This will assist him in forgetting about you and his separation anxiety.
Another good option is crate training. Crates are particularly effective for destructive dogs. Their crate should not be destroyed as they feel that it is their home. You should not use the crate for punishment as the dog will feel negatively about it. Your dog should feel that the crate is his sanctuary. Feed him food and treats while he is in there so he will have positive feelings about the crate. 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. To make your dog feel secure, make sure that the door of the crate is left open so he is able to access his sanctuary.
Your veterinarian may be able to provide you some other ways to prevent puppy separation anxiety. It is important to note that separation anxiety happens for many different reasons.
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