When you bring a dog home you need to be aware of the responsibilities of pet parenthood. Your dog depends on you for protection, sustenance, entertainment and companionship. The idea that you are your dog’s world is not far from the truth. Your family is all that your dog learns to love and live with. Since dogs are social animals, when you leave them alone for long hours, they tend to develop separation anxiety.
Although separation anxiety will not kill your dog, it is harmful to them and your house. Your dog can show various signs of separation anxiety. What you might have been penalising as “bad behaviour” might have been your dog’s cry for help. Here are a few signs to tell you that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety.
Constant Crying
One of the first things you might notice if your dog has separation anxiety is their vocalisation of it. When you start getting ready to head out your dog can start whining and barking. You might be sent off with your dog barking away. You might also be greeted by your dog barking and whining. Sometimes your neighbours can fill you in on how long your dog has been barking while you are away.
Dogs bark in absence of owners when someone approaches the house or when there are any triggers. But dogs with separation anxiety keep barking incessantly without any triggers.
Destructive Tendencies
Having a dog will result in domestic destruction. Dogs can chew things up for multiple reasons. Incomplete training, teething, boredom and hunger are some reasons for dogs chewing on things they should not. You can order pet discount supplies like Kong toys to solve these problems.
But when your dog starts chewing things to the point where their teeth show signs of damage, your dog is exhibiting separation anxiety.
Defecation Problems
Your dog defecating or urinating inside your house can again be a sign of multiple problems. If your dog has not been toilet trained properly then they can defecate indoors. Sometimes it is a sign of your dog’s ill-health. If your dog suddenly starts defecating or urinating indoors you need to get them checked. Your dog can even start exhibiting Coprophagia.
Your dog is exhibiting separation anxiety if they are having these issues in your absence. If they continue defecating or urinating indoors in your presence then you need to take your dog to the vet.
Escape Attempts
Coming back home to find your dog missing is a pet parent’s worst nightmare. Escaping from homes and yards is a sign of separation anxiety. A rather timid dog can even end up jumping off of a first-floor balcony in an attempt to find their owner. Even with people present if your dog is trying to run away in your absence, they are exhibiting separation anxiety.
Repeated Pacing
Dogs with separation anxiety show unreasonable repetitive behaviour. If you feel that your dog has separation anxiety then you can get a camera fitted to observe them. usually, dogs with separation anxiety will pace a fixed path in the absence of the pet parent.
If you suspect your dog has separation anxiety then you should take the advice of an animal behaviourist before proceeding further.
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