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Forum Home > General Discussion > Separation Anxiety in dogs

Rebecca Brown
Site Owner
Posts: 22

Separation anxiety is a critical behavioral problem, which can cause tremendous emotional distress for dogs and their owners. It can occur in dogs of any age or breed, and is the one most common reasons for pet owners to euthanize or give up their dogs. Most dogs with normal behavior characteristically, sleep,bark randomly or chew their toys when left alone in the house or in a room without access to its owner. In general, they pretty much do what they do normally when you are home. For dogs with separation anxiety, they can make leaving the house or even a room an emotional problem and a difficult event for its owner. Separation anxiety can cause dogs to. Whine or bark incessantly Pace Chew furniture Destroy blinds Rip up carpet Eat through drywall Mutilate plants Climb bookcase And scratch at doors and window Dogs with severe separation can destroy thousands of dollars in furnishings, go through windows getting injured, defecate and urinate everywhere. The constant barking, whining and howling can also cause problems with neighbors What are the main causes? It is not fully understood exactly, but it can be seen in animals from multiple or single pet homes. It may be more likely to occur in animals with a history of abuse or of multiple homes. Dogs that have missed out on a normal social interaction with people or other animals , especially as puppies, may also be at increased risk. Separation anxiety typically occurs in the following cases… A dog that has never or rarely been left alone or the ones that were not properly integrated into their first home and got relegated to a basement, garage or yard. Dogs who were removed from their mother or littermates too early.(prior to 8 weeks or too late after 14 weeks) Following significantly frightening experience for your dog. A dog that has never had a prior result of changes in the family routine or structure as a child leaving for college, work schedules, moving, a new pet or person moving in. Experts agree that speration anxiety is a panic reaction and definitely not an attempt by the dog to spite their owners. It is important that we realize the destruction and soiling is not the dogs attempt to punish or seek revenge on its owner for being left alone, but rather is actually part of the panic response. One has to understand that dogs are pack animals. It is natural that they would wish to be with other people all the time. Most adult dogs 12 to 16 months and older depending on the breed can be left alone for 8 hours or even longer if they have access to a yard for elimination. They bay be unhappy, or they could be bored, but they don’t create major destruction. A dog with separation anxiety is different. Reference www.dogspsychologyhelp.com

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Rebecca and Gang

December 4, 2011 at 3:05 PM Flag Quote & Reply

Rebecca Brown
Site Owner
Posts: 22

I have listed the website with help for behavioral issues. I hope if any of you are having problems, that is helpful

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Rebecca and Gang

December 4, 2011 at 3:06 PM Flag Quote & Reply

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