Separation anxiety in dogs is the overwhelming feeling of distress when separated from their owner and in turn, can cause behavior problems. A dog doesn’t understand “time” and can begin to feel this way shortly after being left alone.
Dogs are emotional creatures and can become overly attached to their owner or family, following them from room to room in the house and resisting being left alone outside.
Canine stress and anxiety may seem harmless, but they can cause serious health issues and behavior problems if left unchecked. So, it’s important to treat your stressed-out pooch promptly, to ensure he remains healthy and happy.
There are a number of things that can trigger dog anxiety. Some dogs may be anxious due to genetics, while others may have experienced something traumatic in their past. Still, other dogs may simply be prone to anxiety because of their personality type. Regardless of the cause, there are a few things that are known to trigger dog anxiety.
As people return to the office, we know more dogs will be left at home alone. Learning about what dogs do during this time is a great way to prepare your pooch for being calm and content. Get them ready from the second you leave until the moment you are reunited at the door with a big wet kiss!
If your pup is scared of busy places what you’ll want to do is try and find a time when it’s less busy. You will use your “look at me, sit, lay down” or any other training you have worked on as a distraction. Once your dog is walking around calmly and has gotten used to it, you can come back when it’s a bit busier. It’s all about trust and all about working your way up to being okay with that thing they are scared of. After working with them and giving them the patience needed to build up their confidence you will have a well adjusted pup who's ready to take on the world!
