HOW TO TREAT SEPARATION ANXIETY IN DOGS?

Has it ever happened that when you were away your dog has attacked your furniture or cushions, chewed your shoe and created a mess? You might have taken that as misbehaviour or misconduct and gotten angry. Don’t get angry because such actions are not due to any behavioural issues but they are because your pooch may be suffering from separation anxiety.

Separation Anxiety is the destructive reaction of your pooch when he/she is not able to handle the separation from his/her parents. That sounds very cute but after some time it can become irritating.

SOME OF THE COMMON SYMPTOMS of separation anxiety are excessive barking, howling, dilated pupils, salivating, trembling, panting, and pacing.

Behavioral Symptoms can be- denial of food, coprophagia, destroying home items, scratching furniture, attempting to escape from a crate or room, and greeting their parent over excitedly.

The Cause of this separation anxiety can be genetic, frequent changes in places, neglect, and change of pet parents, long vacations, or just boredom.

How To Treat Separation Anxiety?

You yourself can handle your dog’s anxiety if you continuously follow the below-given suggestions.

1)Exercise your dog to tire him/her up

A tired dog is a calm dog. Before you leave your house just take your dog on a long walk or exercise with him for around 30-40 minutes. This will keep you both healthy and also reduce the anxiety in your dog because his/her attention will then shift to food and sleep or rest.

2)Train your dog to live independently

Just like kids, even your pooch needs to learn this and you need to teach them that they have to learn to live independently and to teach this you have to incorporate some habits in your dog.

•                    Give your furry companion a separate bed, don’t sleep with your pooch
•               Don’t hover around your fido all the time let him/her stay alone in a room for a while, if your pooch is suffering from severe anxiety issues then start with few seconds and then go up to 30 minutes in the span of several weeks

3)Don’t get too emotional during BYEs and HELLOs

You need to show that it is not a big deal. You are just going for work and will be back after some hours. If you become too emotional and take a lot of time saying ‘bye’ then that will definitely reflect on your pooch and even he/she will become anxious. Similarly, when you come back, greet your fido calmly while he/she welcomes you exuberantly showering love upon you. After some time, you can also show your excitement too but downplay the ‘bye’s and ‘hello’s.

4)Give treats and toys when you depart

Just to divert you fido’s attention give him/her a toy or a treat. This distraction will keep separation anxiety from triggering. Also, change your ways of leaving the house, this will help you to fool your pooch’s brain because then he/she will not be able to relate any actions of yours to you leaving the house.

5)Resort to calming treatments

There are many treatments in the market that help your dog deal with anxiety and depression. Treatments like Calmeze Tablets, Calmeze liquid, and Canine Calmer Tabs are easily available in the market they are very effective and have shown some amazing results. The best thing about these treatments is that they all are homeopathic treatments which mean that they don’t have any side-effects on your pooch’s body.

Be very calm and supportive during this phase of your dog’s life. They behave such because they are just not happy with you not being around. So, just be patient and follow the above-given points and you will see the change very soon.