Separation Anxiety. Does your dog suffer while you are away?
This common behavior problem results in destruction of your property and can cause problems between you and your neighbors. Many pets are even abandoned because of this behavior, which can be resolved or even prevented with a little patience and training. Here are a few tips to help ease your dogs anxiety while you are away, for further information, please email Jaymeey at jayh@ontheothersideofthefence.org or post a question here.
Every 6.5 seconds an animal is euthanized in the United States, because they do not have a home. In dealing with Animal Rescue for the last five years I know that dogs are not stupid. They just get confused because the message that the owner is trying to send them is unclear.
Separation anxiety.
As defined by Sarah Probst, information specialist, separation anxiety is "increased fearfulness of the dog after the departure of the owner".
1. Dogs taken away from their mothers before 8 weeks of age often develop this problem.
Common problems are chewing or pooping on items that smell like you, such as your underwear or pillow and excessive barking.
You can try several approaches to ease your dogs anxiety while you are away.
1. Physical exercise such as playing tug of war or fetch for 10 -30 minutes.
2. Mental exercises such as exploring new places, smelling lots of new smells, and obedience training sessions.
3. As Stacy Braslaw from Stacy's Wag N Train says "A tired dog is a good dog".
4. Give your dog something to do while your gone. Kong's are hollow rubber toys filled with treats. Use peanut butter or cheeze whiz as an alternative to expensive pet store stuffers. Home made Kong's can be made from empty milk cartons or rubber hoses. Just make sure its clean and doesn't become a choking hazard.
5. Don't make a big deal about coming home. Come in and ignore him for about 20 minutes.
6. Desensitize your dog to your leaving. For example, put your shoes on, watch t.v, put your coat on, watch t.v., grab your keys, watch t.v., then leave, WITHOUT showing your dog how much you will miss him while your gone, just walk out the door and leave.
7. Use a crate while you are away to prevent destruction of your home and injury of your pet. Crates can be an invaluable tool that accelerates potty training and can save your dogs life. I am sure he would rather be crated than sent to the pound.
8. You can also look into:
a. Doggie daycare, if there are any in your area. Maybe even get together with your friends to create your own doggie day care.
b. Bach Rescue Remedy, you can buy Bach Rescue Remedy at The Bee Hive next to Orscheln's. Bach Rescue Remedy is wonderful for any pet in times any types of stress, including illness such as Parvo. It has done wonders, for example, a dog who was laying seemingly almost dead with Parvo virus had not moved in hours. I gave him 10 drops of Bach on his tongue. He stood up, walked about three steps, looked confused and went and laid back down. I believe it has saved several animals lives. It is a non toxic flower essence, marketed for humans, but used by holistic Veterinarians and animal welfare organizations all over the world. I will post about Bach in the future, so stay tuned.
c. Dog anti depressants, which I do not recommend unless all else, including a professional animal behaviorist has failed.
Written by Jaymeey Hatfield, Executive Director of On The Other Side Of The Fence, a non profit animal rescue September 23, 2008. Anyone can use any part of this information as long as you mention this website http://www.theothersideofthefence.org/ and other appropriate resources listed.
If you have any fencing, cement, nails, or fence posts you can donate to help build a fenced in dog park, please contact 573-686-7551. We also collect scrap metal and aluminum cans to help feed the rescued animals. Thank you, spread the word. http://www.theothersideofthefence.org/
The grass is always greener....On The Other Side Of The Fence
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