dog separation anxiety

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dogobediencetrainingtoday.com
Dog Separation Anxiety Causes and Solutions
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Dog Separation Anxiety Causes and Solutions

• Dog separation anxiety is one of the most common
  problems that new pet owners face. Ever had your
  dog bark and bark and bark when you leave the
  house, leaving you wondering if theyre doing
  this endlessly for hours while youre gone? (Your
  dog may even mess with things in your home,
  destroy, or worse, possibly endanger himself or
  herself while doing so.)
• Knowing how to deal with dog separation anxiety
  is one of the most important aspects of any dog
  training plan, and the first step to deal with
  this behavioral issue is finding out whats
  behind it.

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What causes separation anxiety in your dog?

• Dogs are pack animals, and there is a direct
  attachment between them and their masters.
  Because of this, when you leave your home, your
  dog may feel nervous at the thought of your
  impending absence.
• When you give your cute and cuddly friend too
  much attention before leaving the house, and then
  give them lavish attention once again upon your
  arrival back home, and this routine goes on day
  after day, over and over, this can actually
  reinforce separation anxiety in your dog. Why?
  Because your dog associates this type of lavish
  affection with you leaving him all alone,
  probably for hours at a time.

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REDUCING YOUR DOGS SEPARATION ANXIETY

• To reduce such anxiety in your dog, you will
  first need to start changing your morning
  routine. Case in point if your dog starts to
  exhibit anxious ehavior when they hear your alarm
  going off, it means that they have associated the
  sound of your alarm with the fact that you will
  soon be leaving the house.
• To prevent your dog from making this association,
  for the first while during their dog training or
  re-training, try deviating even slightly from
  your normal routines.
• Wake up at slightly different times dress
  earlier than usual take your keys down before
  you leave and then wait for a couple of minutes
  instead of immediately heading out the door
  These little deviations will often reduce your
  dogs anxiety.

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REDUCING YOUR DOGS SEPARATION ANXIETY

• Many people are surprised to learn that petting
  their dog before leaving and upon arriving home
  only encourages separation anxiety. As tempting
  as it may be to shower your new puppy with hugs
  before you leave the house, you must avoid this
  routine in order to disassociate your dog from
  your coming and leaving. This way, your dog will
  not take as much notice when you leave. Take
  10-15 minutes to ignore your dog when you get
  home and, as tough as this may be to do, do not
  give in when theyre making sad noises.

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REDUCING YOUR DOGS SEPARATION ANXIETY

• If your dog grows restless the moment you step
  out of your door, practice leaving the house for
  a short time and then come back. Seeing you
  coming back shortly after you leave changes your
  dogs expectations of how long youll be gone and
  when youll return. This begins to ease their
  anxiety until they become used to you leaving the
  house for longer periods of time.
• Some people may think that this kind of training
  is a bit harsh as it involves withholding some
  affection from your dog even if they are
  practically begging for it at times.
• However, the complete opposite is true. Only by
  using this type of dog training technique from
  the very beginning can you really help your dog
  ease his anxiety and experience emotional comfort
  while you are away.
• And remember that reducing or eliminating dog
  separation anxiety is one of the healthiest gifts
  you can give both your dog and yourself.

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REDUCING YOUR DOGS SEPARATION ANXIETY

• An important note prolonged, severe, and
  stubborn anxiety problems need to be addressed
  with care and given special attention most
  preferably with the help of a professional such
  as your veterinarian or a professional dog
  trainer. Many times, though, by following the
  simple techniques above and sticking to the
  concept of reducing your dogs feelings of
  abandonment when you leave the home, the issue of
  dog separation anxiety can be resolved very
  effectively.