Learn to prevent separation anxiety in dogs

By nature, dogs are very social creatures. In the wild, dogs lived together in packs and maintain the instinct to live with a pack today. However many dogs are the only canine in their household. Without other dogs, they turn to their family as members of their pack. Domestic dogs depend on their human companions to fulfill their social needs and when they are forced to spend a great deal of time alone, they often become distressed.

You many notice your dog’s distress before you even leave your house. Your dog may become agitated when he notices that you are preparing to leave, especially if he is used to being home alone for long periods of time. You probably assume that once you are out the door, he will calm down again. However that is rarely the case. Instead, he may get into trouble in the house. You may come home to find that your dog has been in the trash or has relieved himself in the house. You will probably be upset, and rightly so. However you must understand that your dog is not trying to misbehave, he is simply distraught and does not know how to handle himself.

To quell your dog’s bad behavior, look to the root of the problem. He is lonely and unsure of how to handle himself without his pack around. When you are home with your dog, be sure to give him plenty of attention and exercise. If you make your time together quality time, he may be more comfortable and content when you are not around. Remove temptations to make it harder for him to get into trouble when you leave. Keep trash, shoes and human food out of his reach. Provide him with chew toys to keep him occupied and entertained.

If your dog still misbehaves when he is home alone, consider other alternatives. Invest in a pet sitter a couple of days a week to keep your pet company while you are gone. If you would rather not have a stranger in your house, think about enrolling your dog in a doggy daycare. A doggy daycare will allow your dog to spend time playing with other dogs and having fun while you are away.