WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR POOCH WHEN LEFT HOME ALONE

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WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR POOCH WHEN LEFT HOME ALONE
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• For many of us, we have no choice but to leave
  our pets home alone while we head out to work
  and most of us dont exactly enjoy saying goodbye
  to them every morning and without cameras to
  record their activity while were away, we have
  no clue how they cope in our absence.
• Recent research, however, has shown that many
  pets spend up to half an hour whining, howling
  and barking after weve left, and for some, their
  torment continues for a lot longer this is often
  referred to as separation anxiety.

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• What the experts say happens to our pets when we
  leave them alone
• According to scientific research, the most
  stressful time for pets occurs during the first
  few minutes of our absence. Their reaction to
  being left alone usually begins either as soon as
  their owner leaves the home, or some minutes
  after. Reactions are characterised by destructive
  behaviour, such as scratching at the closed door,
  and vocalisations like howling, barking and
  whining, some may even poop and pee, drool
  excessively, or vomit due to the stress they are
  experiencing.
• The reason dogs reactions to your departure
  occur so soon after youve left, is because they
  have learnt to respond to signs that you are
  leaving.

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• In time, they begin to connect you picking up
  your keys or putting on your coat and shoes, with
  you leaving them, and these actions will usually
  induce the same stressed behaviour and feelings
  of anxiety.
• How your pet goes on to behave once the initial
  realisation that youve gone and arent about to
  return any time soon sets in, is very much
  dependant on their personality. An anxious pet
  will doubtless continue to show signs of stress
  until you return, while a more independent animal
  may eventually begin to amuse themselves and
  become calm. Anxious pets may tire themselves out
  with their behaviour, and so will likely settle
  down and fall asleep as soon as you return.

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• What can pet owners do to help prevent separation
  anxiety
• Thankfully, there are some very simple steps that
  you can follow to help your dog cope better when
  they are left home alone
• Be understanding
• You must never punish your dog for destructive
  behaviour in your absence, as this may only add
  to their anxiety and make them even more nervous,
  uncomfortable and stressed the next time you
  leave them alone. Try to feed them and stimulate
  them with exercise and games before you leave the
  home, which should encourage them to feel more
  relaxed.

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• Try to repeat the following steps
• Encourage your pet to go and lie or sit on their
  bed while you are there with them, and if they
  can do this calmly, then reward them with a toy
  or treat.
• Instruct your dog to remain calmly on the bed as
  you slowly move away. If they stay, then return
  to them and give them a reward.
• Repeat this short activity while continuing to
  increase the distance between you and your dog,
  or the time that you are not with them on the
  bed. Every time your pet reacts or leaves the
  bed, then start the procedure again and keep
  repeating until they can follow your instruction
  as you want them to. Only reward good behaviour
  rewarding them for not following your instruction
  will serve only to confuse them.

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• Progress to moving out through the door while
  your pet remains on his bed, then coming back in.
  Keep repeating the exercise until your dog
  remains calmly on the bed each time.
• With these tips, patience is the key, the minute
  you crack and lose your temper or get frustrated,
  the entire process will be wasted, and you will
  have to go back to the beginning. You must make
  time to feed and exercise your pet before you
  leave them alone, and you must dedicate enough
  time to helping them cope in your absence with
  the simple exercises shown above.

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