More often than not, dogs show signs of anxiety when they are separated from their owners or when they are left alone. It is a psychological condition whereby your dog starts panicking for the fear of being separated from you. Dogs that are seldom left alone and are over dependant on their owners or those that have previously gone through some traumatic situation tend to show symptoms of dog separation anxiety.
While dealing with dog separation anxiety, you need to pay attention to the signs and symptoms that your dog exhibits in his separation anxiety behavior and then take relevant steps to cure it. Dog separation anxiety symptoms include barking, whining, scratching, digging, vomiting, diarrhoea, inappropriate urination and defecation etc.
Barking, howling and whining: When your dog senses that you are about leave home then he becomes anxious and gloomy. He starts fearing that you might never return and he might be left alone. As the time passes, the canine separation anxiety builds up and he starts whining due to nervousness and anxiety. When, finally it is time for you to go, your dog starts barking and yelping frantically. At times, this barking is accompanied by restlessness and hyperactivity.
Digging, Scratching, Chewing: The next step is that of exhibiting destructive activities. These activities include scratching, digging, chewing and other similar activities that indicate your dog’s disturbed state of mind. Through these actions, the dog actually tries to scratch or dig the door or window to get out of the room or house to find you. You should try to relax your dog in such situations or else he might injure himself or someone else in this type of escapade.
Apart from these behavioral symptoms, certain medical symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite and other nervousness related symptoms might also be triggered. Dog separation anxiety might also lead to inappropriate urination and defecation. These symptoms indicate a state of prolonged stress.
Overexcited reunion: At times, you may fail to notice the above mentioned dog separation anxiety symptoms as they might take place in your absence, that is, after you have left the house. But, you can still make out whether your beloved dog is suffering from separation anxiety when you return home.
Generally, in such cases, your dog will give you a big welcome as if you were never going to return and it’s a miracle that you have actually returned. He will become overexcited and start licking you and jumping on you. You can easily make out this symptom because this is not the way he usually expresses excitement. This would be a prolonged and uncontrolled way of expression.
Dog separation anxiety is a serious problem that needs your attention so that you can take the necessary steps to control this unhealthy panic behavior in your dog. While dealing with dog separation anxiety, always remember not to loose your temper or punish the dog. His panic behavior is his natural response to stress. So, stay calm and composed and address him in a reassuring voice to cure his anxiety. In fact, to some extent, it would be better to keep your dog unaware of your departures and arrivals to avoid this problem.
Certain behavioral modifications and anxiety reducing aids are beneficial in the treatment of dog separation anxiety. Behavior modification means to identify the cues that trigger separation anxiety in your dog and gradually making him habitual to such cues. These cues are the actions that the dog relates with your leaving. Try to leave some toys with him to make him feel at ease.
To reduce the anxiety, you can also leave the television on before you leave. Human voices from the television can help in reducing dog separation anxiety to a great extent. At times, your veterinarian may advise certain medications to cure your dog’s separation anxiety. Though, these medicines have their own side effects and should be avoided as far as possible.
