What to do if the dog misses the owner?

Some dogs get upset when their beloved owners leave home. They tend to dislike being left alone or having to part ways with their best friend. How do you know if your puppy is just upset that you are busy with work, or if he is suffering from something more serious? Use the following tips to help identify your pet’s separation anxiety and help restore calm when he’s especially lonely.

Is separation really the cause of anxiety?

Dogs suffering from separation anxiety go beyond mild resentment or whining when you leave them. This is manifested in their destructive behavior: they defecate in the house, damage furniture and even harm themselves trying to get out. Other symptoms may include loud barking and howling, refusal to eat or drink, rapid breathing or excessive salivation. Many puppies, when they yearn and miss their owner, react badly to being in a cage. or carrying.

However, it is important to remember that many of these symptoms can also indicate other conditions, making it difficult to properly diagnose separation anxiety. If your dog, for example, goes to the toilet in the house while you are away, then there are a number of other possible reasons for this, including the quality of training or urinary incontinence due to illness. Rapid breathing, excessive salivation, and refusal to eat or drink can also signal another medical condition, such as dehydration. Some animals simply have a violent temper that leads to collateral damage to the environment.

The point is to determine if this behavior only occurs when your dog is home alone and to rule out other causes such as health, age and temperament. In the case of separation anxiety, the destructive behavior is usually associated with a desire to run away. On the other hand, if a dog gnaws on your favorite shoe while you are away, then it is most likely due to its canine nature. But if she chews and scratches the wallpaper, then it is quite possible that she is desperately trying to get out – this is a clear sign of separation anxiety in animals. If this is the first time you’ve observed this behavior in your pet, and it hasn’t happened before, it could also be a symptom of the animal’s anxiety.

Preventing Pet Anxiety

about to do in a similar situation? Although the reasons for this behavior are still a mystery, some determining factors are still established. According to the Humane Society of the United States, these include the following reasons:

The dog was alone for the first time after getting used to constant communication.

She is traumatized by time spent in a new/unfamiliar shelter or nursery.

There have been drastic changes in your household routine or family composition, such as the death of a family member or pet.

If it is within your power to help your dog deal with this situation, it will help prevent him from developing feelings of separation anxiety in the first place. Are you planning to leave your pet in a kennel for a few days while you are out of town? Make it easy for him in advance by taking him there for a visit, and leave him a favorite toy or your old t-shirt with a familiar smell to comfort him during your absence. If there are any major changes in your home, be sure to pay attention to your pet to let him know that he is still safe.

If your dog is already suffering from separation anxiety, the key to treating the disorder is to help him overcome his fear. Start by assessing the animal’s behavior and environment, as well as any behavioral cues you may be unwittingly transmitting. This will determine what can be changed to make your pet feel more comfortable in your (temporary) absence. An experienced dog trainer or animal behaviorist can also help you understand what contributes to these moods. However, your veterinarian may prescribe anxiety medication for your dog to keep him calm while you work to correct his reactions.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also notes that it is important to provide your pet with plenty of mental and physical activity. Vigorous physical exercise, daily walks and interactive games will all help to maintain his self-confidence in case of your absence. Provide your dog with psychologically stimulating toys, such as food puzzles, to keep him occupied while you are away.