Please Don't Leave: 4 Ways To Help Your Dog Deal With Separation Anxiety
Does your dog get anxious the minute you walk out of the house? Have you come home after being away for several hours to find that your home has been destroyed by your dog? If you've answered yes to either of these questions, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. If you thought that only humans can suffer from this disorder, you'd be wrong. Sadly, dogs can suffer from the debilitating disorder.
SA can make dogs act out in fear when they're deprived of human contact for too long. The first thing you should do is contact a veterinarian to rule out other conditions. Next, here are some simple steps you can take if canine separation anxiety is making it difficult for you to leave the house.
Use a Crate
If your dog doesn't do well having full run of the house while you're gone, you might want to reduce their space. Placing your dog in a crate with a fresh supply of water while you're gone will offer two benefits. First, it will prevent your dog from destroying your home while you're away. Second, it will provide your dog with a safe and secure place to rest. Be sure to let your dog out of the crate as soon as you return home.
Record Your Voice
Your voice provides a calming affect for your dog. While you're away, it may act out due to loneliness. To prevent anxiety attacks while you're away, record your voice. Try to create at least an hours-worth of recordings. Turn the recording on in your room and shut the door right before you leave. Your dog will hear your voice through the door and remain calm.
Practice Leaving
If your dog gets anxious as soon as you leave, you may need to practice the routine. Practicing your departure will help your dog learn that you do return. To practice, leave your keys by the door. Get your jacket and head to the door. Pick up your keys and leave the house. Stay outside for several seconds. Walk back inside and greet your dog with a calm greeting. Repeat the exercise several times each day. Extend the amount of time you stay outside each time you leave. Eventually, you'll be able to leave without causing a panic attack in your dog.
Consider Pet Boarding
If your dog is suffering from a severe case of separation anxiety, it may be difficult to leave your dog for extended periods of time. This can be difficult when you need to travel. That's where pet boarding comes in. If you're worried that your dog will injure itself, or destroy your home while you're away for the weekend, you should consider talking to your veterinarian about pet boarding. Professional boarding will be able to provide your pet with the round-the-clock care your dog will need, especially if it suffers from an attack while you're away.
Separation anxiety can be a debilitating disorder for your pet. The information provided here will help you provide the loving care your dog will need when you leave.