In their most natural setting dogs are almost always with their pack. With you being the leader of that pack, being away from you can make them feel anxiety and stressed out. This is a condition known as “separation anxiety”.
When a dog suffers from separation anxiety they often show it by resorting to destructive behavior to cope when you’re away.
If you’ve ever been called by your neighbors while you’re at work because your dog has been howling and barking the whole day, that’s a good example that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety.
As its owner it is your job to make this very unnatural situation a lot less stressful for your beloved furry companion.
Here are five tips to help your dog calm down on days where you have to leave the house.
- Walk or run with your dog before you leave the house.
The idea here is to tire your dog out before you leave. This way they’ll be in resting mode while you’re out working. As an added bonus walking or running with your dog is also a good way to bond with your dog while exposing them to the outside world. Also bring doggie treats as well as water with you so you can reward your dog as the two of you take a brisk walk or jog around the block or park.
- Don’t make a big fuss whenever you go away or return.
By doing this you’re communicating to your pet dog that you being away should not be that big of a deal and that it shouldn’t make a huge fuss out of it.
Practice this for at least five minutes first. Just leave no eye contact no talking and no touching. Though depending on the severity of the dog anxiety you may have to do this for as long as an hour at times.
- Try saying goodbye to your dog an hour or two before leaving.
If you’re having trouble not saying goodbye to your dog you can try to do the opposite and bond with them for a while. Tell them how much you’ll miss them before you actually leave. Though just make sure that you do this an hour or two before you actually go out.
Also keep in mind that you may not be doing this just for your dog. Rather you may be doing this for both of you since dogs aren’t the only ones who can suffer from separation anxiety.
- Keep calm and project confidence.
Remember, you are the leader of the pack. Your dog will pick up and imitate whatever you’re trying to project. So when you’re feeling guilty, nervous or concerned your dog will likely feel the same way too.
When you’re ready to go out of the door just stay calm and be as confident as possible. Your dog will pick on this helping them feel less anxious and stressed once you’re out of the house.
- Practice leaving your dog in spurts.
If it’s going to be your first time leaving Fido alone try planning for it and doing so in spurts. Try leaving for five minutes, then twenty then an hour and continue to build on that. In time you’ll be able to leave for the whole day without having to worry about whether or not your dog will be okay on its own.