Dog Separation Anxiety – Why Punishment May

Make It Worse.

Dogs are very complex, emotional, and wonderful companions to humans. They can grow emotionally attached to their owners to the extent that they sometimes show negative behavior when separated with them. Separation anxiety is nothing new for dog owners. While there are several other behavioral problems in dogs, separation anxiety can be quite troublesome since it can be difficult to detect.

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What are the symptoms of separation anxiety? The symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs are such a nuisance. Distressed dogs sometimes chew on household furniture, dig on floors, and destroy anything they can get their teeth into. Dogs with separation anxiety also tend to defecate or urinate on areas they are not allowed to. In short, separation anxiety brings out everything a pet owner dislikes in dogs. Pet owners have their own problems as well. Imagine being stressed-out from work and the first thing you see when you get home is bite marks and broken furniture all over the place. In these times, it’s hard to make rational actions. Punishing Dogs for Separation Anxiety A lot of pet owners who fail to identify their dog’s separation anxiety tend to punish them for exhibiting the symptoms, when it should be the other way around. Keep in mind that separation anxiety is not a bad behavior, but a distressing social condition for your dog. Dogs act restless, noisy, and even destructive when they are anxious. While some punishments may work when house training your dog, it is highly inappropriate when a dog is suffering from separation anxiety. Remember that punishments are only for bad behavior and disobedience, while symptoms of separation anxiety are responses to anxiousness. Punishing your dog for actions brought about by separation anxiety will only make them feel even more frightened and distressed. Instead of learning that destroying furniture and defecating all over the place is bad, a dog may think it is being punished for being anxious. How You Should Treat Separation Anxiety Separation anxiety occurs for unclear reasons, but it is most likely related to being separated from the guardian. The first thing a pet owner can do to help their dogs overcome separation anxiety is to consult a certified veterinarian.

If you suspect that your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety, then a visit to the vet may serve 2 purposes. One is to verify that your dog is indeed having separation anxiety, and the other is to create a systematic plan or program to treat it. Today, specific dog trainings and medication are used to treat separation anxiety successfully. Methods such as counter-conditioning and desensitization can help dogs with mild separation anxiety. These methods can be quite tricky to carry out by yourself, so it’s best to perform a little bit of research or to seek a veterinarian’s advice first. Another important thing to consider if your dog is experiencing separation anxiety is the level of obedience and discipline. Keep in mind that your own effort when it comes to training your dog is the secret to developing a healthy relationship with them in the long run. This article is not a substitute for professional advice. If you are in any doubt or have any concerns about the health of your dog you may wish to consult with a professional for diagnosis and treatment at the earliest opportunity.

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