For some dog lovers, leaving their pooch alone without them for extended periods of time can be stressful for everyone involved. Dogs who bark, chew inappropriately, make attempts to escape, or display other behavioral problems when their owners are gone may be suffering from separation anxiety. Unfortunately, this can result in property damage, noise complaints, or even physical harm to the dog in question. Exploring how some common solutions may help quell separation anxiety gives hope to even the most desperate pet parents.
Reach out to the vet, first.
First and foremost, dog owners should start by consulting their veterinarians with any serious behavioral issues. One may never know without a proper veterinarian diagnosis if the behavioral issue has an underlying physical cause. Vets may still have plenty of advice to give when it comes to separation anxiety itself. In some instances, a veterinary professional might suggest medication as an appropriate option. A vet may also be able to recommend other trustworthy services that may be of help, such as a local dog-walking or pet-sitting service.
An experienced professional can help break up boredom.
While the thought of having a dog-walker come to the house when no one else is home might be daunting to many pet parents, there are many reliable professionals to be found. Many dog walkers base their business model on being able to come into the owner's house and take their precious pups for a walk while they are gone for the day. This makes it convenient for everyone involved.
In a similar fashion, there are many pet-sitting professionals that offer "drop-in" services. For a fee, they will stop by, check on dogs, refill food and water, let them out to do their business, and generally keep them company during the slot of time they are scheduled to do so. This goes along with anything else the owner has hired them to do.
Training is a possibility.
Fortunately, there are ways to help modify behavior in dogs, whether it is seeking the help of a professional trainer, or learning how to condition one's dog to get used to time by itself. In very mild cases of separation anxiety, leaving mentally stimulating toys or utilizing crate training may be all that is required. This is dependent, however, on the individual dog. Other common forms of training include leaving the dog alone for very short periods of time and then gradually extending the duration. A qualified trainer will be likely to give more individualized advice once they've assessed both the dog and the total situation.
Separation anxiety doesn't have to be a permanent problem.
Dog owners do not have to accept that their dogs will forever have behavioral problems associated with separation anxiety. However, there are a multitude of ways to help alleviate the stress dogs feel when their masters are not there. The first step may just simply be reaching out to a vet or other professional for help.
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