The Separation Anxiety Dog - How to Protect Your Dog From Home When You Leave Home

If you've got a dog that suffers from dog separation anxiety then you are probably afraid to leave your dog alone. After all, dogs with dog separation anxiety experience a sense of panic whenever their owners leave and are likely to "act out" in this anxious and panic-stricken state. Therefore, if you have a dog with dog separation anxiety, he may chew, mutilate, urinate or defecate on your furniture when he is left alone. In addition, he may seem extremely anxious and frenzied when you arrive home. With this in mind, you can protect your separation anxiety prone dog from harm when you leave home. The key to this is to engage him in a behavior modification program and to take a preventive approach to protecting your home and your pet when you go out. In this article, we'll discuss 5 ways that you can protect your pet and your home when you leave your dog home alone. Here's how:

1. Confine him. Some people think that confining a dog is inhumane; however, it is the safer thing to do. After all, dogs with separation anxiety are prone to feeling anxious and engage in all sorts of frenzied and dangerous activities. Therefore, they are safer confined. With this in mind, many people use a crate or confine their dog with a dog or bay gate. Both methods prevent him from wandering around. In my opinion, a crate is a favorite choice because it keeps your dog in one place and can even help him feel safe and secure in your absence. After all, a dog's natural instinct is to retire in his den and a crate is similar to a den. Regardless of which method you choose, a gate or crate will protect your furniture and household items and keep your dog from harm.

2. Remove dangerous objects. Dogs with separation anxiety typically experience panic when their owners leave home. In fact, many of them resort to a panicked state and they are likely to become destructive and even to put things in their mouths. Just like infants, dogs can't differentiate between good and bad things and sometimes innocent items like string, thread, floss, coins, clips, etc. can end up lodged in their digestive tract and cause them harm, so make sure that you remove these items before you leave home.

3. Remove your dog's tags. This is especially important if your dog is prone to excessive rocking, swaying or moving around in a frenzied state when you leave him alone. By removing his tags, you can ensure that they don't get caught in his crate or gate, which can cause him harm.

4. Protect electrical cords. Many dogs with separation anxiety will chew on objects (especially dangerous electrical cords) when their owners leave. To protect your dog, buy electrical cord protectors from the hardware store. These clever devices are plastic strips that conceal dangerous wires. Another option is "smart power strips." These can sense if your dog bites into them and will immediately shut off power to protect your dog. Another option is to spray furniture and other items with bitter apple, which will prevent him from chewing on them as most dogs dislike the taste immensely.

5. Provide safe alternatives. Many dogs with dog separation anxiety often roam the house looking for their absent human companions. Therefore, you should close toilet seats, remove chemical cleaning products, shut doors and place bitter apple on items you don't want your dog to chew on. Instead, provide your dog with safe alternatives like a special bone or toy that is only available when you leave.

In conclusion, dog separation anxiety can be difficult and frustrating. However, if you take the necessary precautions to protect your dog from harm, you can ensure that he'll be safe in your absence and you'll feel better about leaving him alone.

The Holistic Approach to Dog Separation Anxiety

While the majority of our canine companions can handle being left alone in the house, there are others who can be so traumatized by their owner's departure that they engage in destructive behavior. This behavior is a response to stress and can come in the form of barking, howling, going to the bathroom indoors, and destroying things like your furniture and shoes.

Dogs are pack animals and therefore social by nature, which is why they feel the most secure when surrounded by members of their human or canine family. A puppy should be taught early on how to be away from their owner and left by themselves for a bit. Unfortunately, that's not always possible, however, it is always possible for a dog of any age to develop separation anxiety.

Many pet owners are turning to a holistic approach to their dog's separation anxiety, which includes special care for their nutritional and physical needs as well as their emotional ones. Some natural, holistic remedies for dog separation anxiety include:

Flower Essences and Herbal Remedies

When holistically treating a dog for separation anxiety, there are many herbal formulas that include ingredients such as ginger, chamomile, valerian root, passion and other natural flowers. While there are several herbs to choose from, a chronic, troublesome problem such as this should be treated in conjunction with behavioral modification and guidance from a holistic veterinarian who will be versed in the exact types and amounts of herbs and essences to use.

Named after British physician Dr. Edward Bach, Bach flower essences, sometimes called Bach flower remedies, are a combination of 38 plants and flowers known for their healing properties. They include clematis, cherry plum, and impatiens and have been successful in treating anxiety disorders in humans as well as dogs. Flower essences have proven to be quite safe with very little chance of side effects and can easily be administered orally, added to their water, or even rubbed onto the skin near the ears and paws.

Nutrition, Exercise and Behavior Modification

Plenty of rigorous exercise on a regular basis will not only help your dog's physical self, but it also keeps their mental health in tip-top shape as well. Keeping with the holistic approach, it's essential that you feed your dog a diet free of chemical preservatives and similar toxins.

Your dog isn't the only one who needs to modify his behavior to correct his or her separation anxiety. It's up to you to facilitate the process by changing how you act. Watch TV with your shoes on, keys in hand, to confuse your dog. Leave the house via the back door if you normally leave through the front. Changing your routine will make your dog less able to predict departures and be less likely to experience separation anxiety after you've gone.

What Doesn't Work for Dog Separation Anxiety

Never punish your dog in any way as a reaction to his separation anxiety. This only makes matters worse by confusing him and adding to his stress. It's important to keep in mind that behavior exhibited by a dog in response to separation anxiety is not a way of "punishing" or "getting even" with his owner for leaving him alone. When a dog destroys furniture or bedding and urinates inside the house, he is not doing it for revenge, it's simply an uncontrolled response to his fear and anxiety of being left alone.