Puppy Feeding

• excessive barking
• howling
• crying
• chewing and other destructive behaviour

More serious cases can even cause:-

• loss of appetite
• urinating/soiling indoors
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• self harming

There is no one theory as to why dog separation anxiety occurs and each case is different but a change in daily routine for you and your dog is usually a good place to look when trying to pin down a cause. If you have been spending large amounts of time at home and now have different work hours, moving house, older children leaving home, or a traumatic event suffered by the dog when they are on their own (fireworks, thunderstorm or burglars) can all set of the separation anxiety.As with the causes of the dog separation anxiety the cure will be specific to the situation and the dog, but general techniques can be used and adjusted to suit.Desensitize your dog to you going out, by using the following steps one by one. Do not move on to the next until your dog is comfortable.

• firstly, prepare to go out but do not leave the house (do what ever sets your dog off).
• Next go to the door and turn the handle, but do not leave.
• When ready, actually step outside but come straight back in
• Over time slowly extend the time you are outside until you can leave for a few hours and more.

It is important that you do not try to move on to fast. This will do more harm than good. Only move on when your dog is ready.Another method to try is to take your dogs mind off the fact you are going out. Distract your dog using a favourite toy or chew.

• Keep the item used away when your at home.
• Use it for distracting your good only
• If they loose interest, do not just leave. Get them interested again before you go out.

Puppy crate training can be a good way to get your dog used to being alone from an early age. (Visit Puppy Crate training to find out more)If possible try to tire your dog out by a long walk or playing games, a tired good a likely to sleep for much of the day and less likely to become distressed.If you find that none of these methods are suiting your dog and your are making no progress. I would advise asking your local vet. They may be able to suggest something they think will suit your dog.The other alternative is to stop your dog being alone, ask a friend to dog sit or take your dog to doggy day care.The most important thing to remember when treating dog separation anxiety is NEVER punish your dog. This will cause long term or even irreparable set backs. I can not stress enough NEVER punish an already distressed dog.

• Dog anxiety & strees tips – tips for calming dogs - Just like humans, dogs can also get stressed. Doggy stress and anxiety can result in undesirable behavior and can lead to health issues. Here’s a compilation of tips that worked for my friends or me

• Separation Anxiety in Dogs · Ultimate Resources – Separation anxiety is commonly seen in little children who are not able to deal with the pangs of separation from their parents, and throw a tantrum or cry non stop when their parents leave them. Dogs too can suffer from these symptoms. A dog who suffers from separation anxiety exhibits a number of behaviors that point to the problem.
• Anxious Dog Chewing: Causes and Solutions | Golden Dogs – Over the course of thousands of years, humans and dogs have forged a strong bond. If our dogs become too dependent on us, however, they can suffer extreme anxiety attacks when left alone. This serious distress can manifest itself as destructive behavior, constant, high-pitched barking, or loss of bowel and/or bladder control.
• A New Cure For Separation Anxiety In Dogs « Training Your Puppy – I found this while searching for something else, on Google and thought you might find it interesting. Amazingly, an effective treatment for thunderstorm and noise phobias may be an over-the-counter hormone used by humans to prevent insomnia. Melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland, sets the body’s internal clock in response to exposure to light.
• What to Do When Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety | Dog Questions – Understand that just because your puppy shows symptoms of dog separation anxiety, you don’t necessarily have a big problem on your hands. Suffering from severe separation anxiety in dogs is what has most likely led you here, …