Pet Separation Anxiety

Does your dog have separation anxiety? Does he tear things up in your home while you are away? How about urinating or defecating in the house? These could be signs of separation anxiety or maybe your dog is just bored. 

Whether it is separation anxiety or boredom it is a reason many people bring their dog to animal shelters across the country. Every week at the Lee County Humane Society at least one dog, if not more, is relinquished due to this type of bad behavior. 

“Dogs re-homed during or after their adolescence are at greater risk of suffering separation anxiety than puppies,” says Jacque Schultz, ASPCA Senior Director of Community Outreach. “This is because lack of life experience has made them less resilient to changes in their routine and environment. They cling to their new guardian and panic when that guardian leaves home to go about his or her daily business.” 

The ASPCA has some great tips on dealing with dogs who are displaying behavior that is typical of separation anxiety: 

• Doctor Knows Best: The first step in tackling pet behavior issues is to rule out any underlying medical problems that might be causing them. For example, if your pet is urinating in the house, he might be suffering from a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, diabetes or kidney disease—all of which can cause urinary incontinence in dogs.

 

• Conquer the Fear: If your pooch suffers from mild separation anxiety, try counter conditioning, or helping your dog associate being alone with something good, like a tasty treat. This might reduce or resolve the problem. To develop this kind of association, offer your dog a food-dispensing toy stuffed with healthy treats every time you leave the house.

 

• Dogs Need Jobs: Providing lots of physical and mental stimulation is a vital part of treating many behavior problems, especially those involving anxiety. Exercise can enrich your dog’s life, decrease stress and provide appropriate outlets for normal behavior. Plus, a tired dog doesn’t have much excess energy to burn when he’s left alone!

 

• Keep it Mellow: All greetings—hellos and goodbyes—should be conducted in a very calm manner. When saying goodbye, just give your dog a pat on the head, say goodbye and leave. Similarly, when arriving home, say hello to your dog and then don’t pay any more attention to him until he’s calm and relaxed.

 

Don’t give up on your dog if he or she is behaving disruptively. Give a few of these tips a try and maybe you’ll find an answer to your dog’s problem. 

Humane Society Weekly Wish: Join us at Marble Slab Creamery at Tigertown in Opelika this Tuesday Oct. 6 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.  Marble Slab will donate 15% of the proceeds from their sales on Tuesday night to help care for the animals of the Lee County Humane Society.

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