Separation anxiety in dogs can be a common and concerning problem but 1 that are usually successfully beaten. You might have heard the term but wondered what, just, is separation anxiety and how do we identify it in dogs?
Being left alone is one of the most stressful experiences a young child can encounter. Probably you are able to think back to when you used to be small and felt without your loved ones for a short time. The widespread reaction for a kid would be to begin to cry. It can be a hard experience. The fear of being on your own is not solely felt by people Dog boarding and daycare Houston. Dogs, specially, will often suffer the same psychological stress while left alone in the home or backyard.
Dogs are pack animals and, for that reason, naturally sociable. A dog’s very first attachment in life is with its mother who will feed and nurture it as well as, to a lesser extent it’s father and siblings that make up its pack. After the canine family connection is broken off, the puppy quickly supplants its loyalty and pack mentality onto it’s owner.
Just as a kid, when a dog is left at home by its “pack” it can be highly upset. This emotional response can manifest itself in many ways. This problem is called ‘Separation Anxiety’. A few clues of separation anxiety in dogs may include the following:
- Excessive woofing as well as whining when alone
- Defecation and urination inside your home.
- Chewing household furniture and physical objects like shoes
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Over or under eating
- Aggression or unhappiness if about to be left alone
- Unusual behavior – leaping, pacing, panting etc
There are several dog breeds which will exhibit a marked predisposition to separation anxiety. Weimaraners, Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, and Airedales are all dog breeds which suffer often although it ought to be said that any breed of dog can develop separation anxiety. Veterinarians and dog breeders observe that it can be widespread in dogs which have been separated from their mothers far too early. It also is usually frequent in dogs that have had several owners during early life and in dogs which have spent time inside a dog pound. Mature dogs also can develop separation anxiety following a big change in their particular environment. Possibly a divorce has decimated the pack or moving home can also bring on this condition.
Having diagnosed this problem, exactly what is done about it? There are two courses of action to consider. The actual course that is the suitable one for you as well as your pet in fact depends on the severity of the problem.
An owner can work with the pet in order to stop and largely get rid of these types of anxieties by means of applying a specialized as well as carefully structured behavior training program. An owner could go to someone skilled in animal behaviour or, a lot more conveniently, look for a quality dog training course on the net to download and study.
The other alternative is to see a veterinary surgeon and have them prescribe anti-anxiety drug treatments. This really is actually only sensible in serious situations or where behaviour training has been ineffective. The vet will most probably recommend selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) which will alter the way your dog thinks and acts. They have got very few, minor side affects.
Whichever option is decided on, its crucial that you get to the root in the problem and sort it out sooner instead of later. Both dog and owner are going to be happier when the stress and anxiety has been successfully overcome.