Image Credits: Pixabay
If you are an owner of a dog, you would definitely know
the pain of coming back to a messed up home. When we leave our furry friends at
home when we are out working or socializing, they tend to miss us a lot. While
it feels great to be missed by these fuzzy and cute creatures, but seeing the
house in complete chaos is not a very pleasant thing. The reason why your pooch
behaves like this when you leave is simply due to Separation anxiety. This is
an anxiety disorder that triggers in dogs when they are alone in the house.
Separation anxiety
It is also true that not every doggy suffers from
Separation Anxiety, but it is not uncommon. There could be several reasons for
your pooch having this anxiety. It might not be accustomed to staying alone,
might have recently lost a companion, may have mental trauma, or has simply not
coped up with environmental or schedule change.
You can easily spot if your furry friend has this type of
anxiety. Misbehavior, inappropriate defecation, destructive chewing, making a
mess, scratching the doors, and other such signs can help you understand if
your lovely companion is suffering from Separation Anxiety. Further evidence of
this anxiety is when your pooch follows you around or gets depressed when you
prepare to leave the house.
How can you help?
The best way to tackle the problem is to have a solid
discussion with your vet about the behavior and concerns of your pooch. You
need to work slowly and gradually to make sure your tiny friend comes out of
anxiety without panicking. Acclimatize him/her to your absence by going out for
a little while first and then gradually increasing the time. You also need to
ensure that you spend quality time with your dog; you both can go on long walks
and play some games. When leaving your pooch or coming back home, do not make a
huge fuss. Keep your hellos and goodbyes brief and simple, so they do not think
that your leaving or coming back home is a big deal. When you leave, make sure
to leave lots of toys so that your friend remains distracted. You can also
leave an item of clothing with your scent.
Remember, patience is very important when dealing with
these lovely creatures and helping them get a hold of their anxiety disorder.
Do not think that punishing them or giving them obedience training will help in
any way. Separation Anxiety is a psychological disorder; this anxiety disorder
does not mean that your doggy is disobedient or mean. You may think that
getting additional pets may improve the situation, but that is also not true
since it is you that your pooch misses. It is your doggy's separation from you
that triggers this anxiety; it is not loneliness.
Be patient and calm. Your little furry friend needs you the most while
trying to cope with this anxiety disorder. Giver him/her your time and
attention so that they can heal.