Separation Anxiety in Dogs & How to Calm Them

COVID-19 restrictions are easing, and folks are heading back to work. It’s another new normal for us and another new normal for our dogs. However, our dog daycare near me, can help ease their separation anxiety. The Dog Retreat, built after years of persistence, has taken care of dogs for the past two decades. We love our animals and strive to keep our place loving, clean, safe, and fun. Our ideally located state-of-the-art facility was designed especially for dogs, and their owners. As we come out of the epidemic, your dog may be experiencing a heightened sense of separation anxiety because you’re no longer home. Let’s explore why dogs can be plagued with separation anxiety, ways to identify it, and how to re-train your dog to ease their stress.

Why do dogs develop separation anxiety?

When dogs live in their own natural habitat, with their own kind, with a pack of dogs, their mom, their dad, aunts, uncles, and their family, they are always together. They are always following or waiting with someone. They are never alone. Dogs are always following so. They never have an understanding that they have to live separately. The dog’s natural tendency is to follow. You go to the kitchen, they follow, you go to the bathroom, they follow, wherever you stay, they stay, and wherever you sleep, they sleep. On the other hand, we as humans want to be separate, and the epidemic has made things worse with social distancing. So, what signs should you look for to know if your dog is experiencing separation anxiety?

What Are The Signs Of Separation Anxiety in Dogs?

• Howling, barking, or whining to excess
• Having indoor “accidents” even though they are housebroken
• Chewing things up, digging holes, or scratching at windows and doors
• Drooling, panting, or salivating way more than usual
• Pacing, often in an obsessive pattern
• Trying to escape

There are many ways to soothe your dog’s separation anxiety. Here is what our dog daycare in Waltham MA recommends:

9 Ways To Calm Your Dog’s Anxiety

1. Counter conditioning – If your dog has a mild case of anxiety, then working with them to provide a fun distraction while you prepare to leave is a good approach. Basically, you should give your dog a fun toy or a treat that teaches them to associate this fun with your leaving. Over time, they will learn that being alone is not something to fear.
2. Desensitization – For more severe cases, calming your dog’s anxiety requires more gradual conditioning. With this type of training, you will want to begin separating from them for short periods of time and slowly work up to longer periods of time. This can be more of a challenge if your dog has a more severe case.
3. Perfect the exit – This is similar to the counter conditioning mentioned above. When you are training your dog to be alone for a period of time, practice leaving for short periods of time and then increase the length of your absence. This will teach them that you will always return.
4. Use the Crate – Training your dog to be in their crate while you’re away can be a helpful tool in calming their nerves. Take time over the weekend to train your dog in the crate and observe how they do. This allows you to see if they exhibit signs of distress mentioned above. If crating your dog doesn’t work, consider getting a baby gate and confining them to one specific area.
5. Wear them out – Exercising your pet regularly will tire them out and cause them to sleep more while you’re gone.
6. Remove reminders of your absence – A toy or a leash will remind your pet that you’re gone, so make sure those items are out of sight once you leave the house.
7. Use calming scents – Yes, believe it or not, there are dog appeasing pheromones that are designed to help dogs relax. They are available in collars and other devices and can be found online or in many pet stores.
8. Wrap them up – A thundershirt is a great tool to keep your dog calm while you are away. It’s a body wrap that swaddles and calms your dog. Some people use these shirts on the 4^th of July if fireworks make your dog jittery.
9. Dog Daycare – A Dog daycare is one of the best ways to calm your dog’s nerves. The dog daycare in Waltham, MA., provides your dog with exercise, mental stimulation, and a consistent routine.

Managing Separation Anxiety: Try Our Dog Daycare in Waltham, MA

The Dog Retreat treats your dog like family, and when you leave them in trusted hands, you can put your mind at ease. Contact us today so that we can care for your pup!