How To Help A Dog With Anxiety When Left Alone

In the same way every time a dog who has separation anxiety is left alone their bodies are flooded with the same stress hormones the dog s reactions can range from mild distress like pacing and whining to extreme anxiety resulting in dogs that injure themselves when attempting to escape confinement.

How to help a dog with anxiety when left alone. Your dog will still engage in anxiety responses inside a crate and they may urinate defecate howl or even injure themself in an attempt to escape. Separation anxiety is estimated to affect around 14 percent of dogs dogs with separation anxiety are unable to find comfort when they are left alone or separated from their family members. Distress over being left alone is not always a full blown separation anxiety problem. It s a serious condition and one of the main reasons owners get frustrated with their dogs and give them up.

A dog with an isolation issue means that being with another person other than their owner will help relieve the stress or anxiety. Getting your dog a companion usually doesn t help an anxious dog because their anxiety is the result of their separation from you not just the result of being alone. Separation anxiety happens when a dog that s hyper attached to his owner gets super stressed when left alone. Dogs with separation anxiety cannot bear to be parted from their owners and become unsettled when left alone.

Distress indicates a lower intensity of stress behaviors when the dog is alone while anxiety is an extreme panic attack. First a dog may suffer from a mild distress to a severe anxiety disorder. This is accomplished by setting things up so that the dog experiences the situation that provokes his anxiety namely being alone without experiencing fear or anxiety. This was my daily struggle until i found a few tricks that made all the difference.

The clinical signs will vary depending on the severity of the fear or anxiety that the dog is suffering from. If a dog is chewing up stuff toileting inside looks sad or down when you leave or goes crazy with excitement when you return it is often assumed they have separation anxiety. Dogs are very social animals that rely on interaction and being left alone goes against their very nature so it s no wonder why separation anxiety and boredom is such a big issue with many dog owners. It s more than a little whining when you leave or a bit of mischief while you re out.

We have tips and help to make your dog more confident and happy and allow you to be happy leaving your dog at home. With separation anxiety a dog that s left alone for a period of time exhibits anxiety or excessive distress behaviors.