What is Canine Separation Anxiety?
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Most dogs develop a deep and loving bond with their owners, so it makes sense that they would miss you when you’re gone, however there is a difference between this natural and healthy emotion and a much deeper problem. If your dog tries to dig out of your house when you are gone or is exhibiting severe issues about you not being around, he may be suffering from separation anxiety.
Dogs can become stressed out when their owners leave, much the same as a young child can become upset when their parents are away. Dogs exhibit these feelings in many ways, such as through destruction of things like furniture or by urinating/defecating on the floor. Read on for a few scenarios that are common among pets suffering from separation anxiety.
Duke has been with his family since he was eight weeks old. He has lived a happy life…until about six months ago. His “parents” have been tense and awkward around one another and seem too distracted to play with him. His dad doesn’t live at home anymore and Duke doesn’t get to see him very often. He’s sad and doesn’t know how to handle this sudden separation from a beloved parent.
This is a very common case with animals with a past that includes abandonment. Although a rescued dog can live a happy life and be a great pet, they can still retain issues of feeling as though they will be abandoned again every time their owner leaves the house.
Max is usually a very good dog and rarely creates a fuss. He became a member of the family when his “mom” was pregnant. He was used to “dad” being gone at work most of the day, but was content to man the fort until dad got home to play. This had been the routine for about a year now. Then suddenly, mom starts disappearing during the day as well, and Max is scared and stressed at being left by himself all day.
Life changes can have a huge affect on a pet. This can be a number of things, such as the death of another pet or family member, changes in your work schedule (or the amount of time you’re with your pet decreases), or moving frequently.
There are ways to treat this, but nothing will work instantaneously. These are psychological issues that take time to overcome. For tips on handling doggy separation anxiety, read the Dog Food for Life eBook. You can also read their free Confidential Dog Food Report, which explains the harmful ingredients that are found in many name-brand dog foods, as well as the brands of food you should avoid or pursue.
