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If your dog seems to always over react to your leaving them home alone, then they could be suffering from canine separation anxiety. This can be a serious condition that can cause harm to your dog and your house. Canine separation anxity is a medical condition that should not be ignored. Your pet is suffering and needs effective behavioral directions.

Separation anxiety is represented by a dog's nervous reaction to their owner being away from them for a period of time, even if it is only in a different room. What is happening is the dog's level of anxiety and excitement is unbalanced.

Younger and older dogs are the groups that are usually seen exuding symptoms of separation anxiety. Middle aged dog's majority of the time, do not suffer from the condition. Also, dogs adopted from shelters seem to experience this condition, possibly because they are scared of being left again. Reassurance that you will be back is the key to a more relaxed day alone.

Another situation which may lead to separation anxiety is when your pet is use to spending all of its time with you. Whether you take your dog to the store with you, stay at home with them majority of the time or take them on vacation. When a dog becomes accustom to being with you over an extended length of time without separation, but is suddenly left alone. The dog may suffer from separation anxiety, worried if they have been left alone forever and their loved one isn't coming back for them.

This condition in dogs is similar to when we leave our children at daycare and they cling to us not wanting us to leave them. My pediatrician tells me when my children do this to reassure them that mommy is going to work and I will be back to get them when I am through working. Dogs need the same reassurance.

A dog's anxiety experienced when their loved ones leave them alone, can range from mild to severe. Usually, they will react dramatically within 20 to 45 minutes of separation. A few signs of separation anxiety to watch for in your pet include barking, howling, whining, digging, chewing, scratching, attempts to get out of their surrounding and find their owners, and sometimes house trained dogs may poop or tinkle when in distress. As a result of a day of separation anxiety, your pet may terrorize your home or yard. Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety may chew on your doors, window seals or anything they can find.

Some pets will require medical attention to help them deal with their anxiety, but there are steps an owner can take to help their pets deal with their condition as well. Do not punish your dog for the damage done when you leave them. This could actually make the condition worse.

A few steps that may help your pet to deal with their separation anxiety include, making departures and arrivals a non-event, leave your dog something that has your smell to keep with them, establish a word or phrase that you always say when leaving your dog. Animals associate these repetitive words with your actions and they will eventually realize that you will come back. A few test runs of picking up you keys and pretending to leave may help also with dealing with their anxiety, showing them that you do return.

A few additional steps would be to enroll them into a daily program, have a sitter or family member watch them while you are away, or seek medical attention in case medication is needed.

Dogs are in some ways like our kids. They are attached to us and like to be with us. They need to be reassured that we are not leaving them forever and we will be back. Canine separation anxiety affects many dogs and can be very bothersome for the dog and their owners, but there is effective treatment available.
Read up on this and other dog behavioral problems by visiting our website.

Author's Resource:

Martin Moore writes about dog training at www.trainingdogshelp.com and other sites For more help on this visit separation anxiety puppies

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