Fido has shredded the tablecloth and peed on your sofa while you were away for work today. Does he have separation anxiety or is he just bored and a little lonely?
All well taken care of dogs miss their owners while they are away. How could they not, you give them food, shelter, comfort and fun. Sometimes this goes far beyond the normal loneliness and becomes full blown anxiety. Canine Separation anxiety can be hard on you and Rover. The following tips should help you decide if there is a real problem.
- If Rover has true separation anxiety he will protest your absence vocally for more than just a few minutes. Most dogs will whine, cry and bark at the times their owners leave and return. However, if your pooch is doing this for more than just a few minutes on a regular basis this could signal a problem. Start investigating. Try to come home briefly about 20 minutes after you have left. Park down the street and walk home so Rover can´t hear your car coming. Try to do this several times so you get a good idea of what he is doing through the day. You may even want to have a neighbor that is home all day check in on your dog in regular intervals.
- Dogs with true anxiety when separated from their owners will probably exhibit destructive behavior. If you come home once to find that Rover has chewed a hole through your favorite throw pillow it could be boredom. If this becomes a regular occurrence and your dog is showing other signs of being extremely lonesome during the day, your dog may have true separation anxiety.
- Separation Anxiety often appears as physical ailments in dogs. A perfectly housetrained pooch may suddenly start to relieve himself in the house. Dogs that appear to be lethargic or frequently sulking may also have a problem. It is important that a dog that is suspected of having separation anxiety not be punished for relieving himself in the house. He is not doing this to punish you. This is a reaction of his anxiety and punishment will only make it worse.
There are many things you can do to help your pooch through this trying time. If you suspect anxiety, make a visit to your vet first to rule out a medical condition causing the problems. You can also use this visit to discuss behavior modification techniques and drug therapy options.
If you´re still on the fence as to whether Rover is just a little lonely or has real anxiety there are a few things you can try. A soft, plush bed may make your lonely dog feel more comfortable and secure. If your pooch is just bored try expanding his toy selection and rotating them so there is always something new for him to play with.
