Separation anxiety in dogs is a consequence of the way some dogs react to being left alone. While many dogs are happy to get left home alone, and will do nothing more than sleep the time away, a fairly significant number of dogs will experience anxiety resulting in lots of dog behaviour issues.
In fact , research has shown that separation anxiety in dogs has effects on at least 15% of our pooches and that number appears to be getting bigger, with a recent UK study suggesting that up to 50% of dogs display some signs of separation anxiety behaviour.
What Causes Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Opinion is split about what causes separation anxiety in dogs, although luckily , most dog gurus seem to agree on the approach to curing it.
In fact , research has shown that separation anxiety in dogs has effects on at least 15% of our pooches and that number appears to be getting bigger, with a recent UK study suggesting that up to 50% of dogs display some signs of separation anxiety behaviour.
What Causes Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Opinion is split about what causes separation anxiety in dogs, although luckily , most dog gurus seem to agree on the approach to curing it.
It's not always clear what triggers anxiety in dogs, as while some dogs are anxious characters from birth, others will suddenly become anxious after a major change in their lives like moving home, or develop anxiety as a result of a bad experience, like being abandoned. It's certaily evident that many rescue dogs suffer from separation anxiety.
One of the most generally held sentiments is that due to the tight bond we experience and encourage with our dogs, our dogs becomes too reliant or dependant on us, and are thus troubled and anxious when they do not have access to us all of the time.
However in a study published by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, which compared attachment behavior of dogs who experienced anxiousness when left alone and dogs that did not, the study concluded the attachment behaviour just before leaving was no different in either set of dogs, which suggest that over attachment would possibly not be the reason for dog anxiety after all.
The other belief about dog separation anxiety is that it comes about as a result of your dog assuming that he is pack leader and thus responsible for you.
This means that when you go out and your dog neither knows where you are going or when you're going to be back, nor is able to come and find you, they experience high levels of anxiety because they are fretting about your safety. This idea is founded upon studies of the wolf pack which suggest that packs need a pack leader in place to function efficiently.
Curing Dog Separation Anxiety
There's an increasing belief amongst top dog trainers that the way to get a happy dog is to make sure that they know that you're the leader of the pack. This applies to curing dog anxiety as well , so if you believe your dog is struggling with this problem, find yourself some good dog separation anxiety training, and ensure it includes showing you how to demonstrate to your dog that you are leader of the pack (note: no dom
One of the most generally held sentiments is that due to the tight bond we experience and encourage with our dogs, our dogs becomes too reliant or dependant on us, and are thus troubled and anxious when they do not have access to us all of the time.
However in a study published by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, which compared attachment behavior of dogs who experienced anxiousness when left alone and dogs that did not, the study concluded the attachment behaviour just before leaving was no different in either set of dogs, which suggest that over attachment would possibly not be the reason for dog anxiety after all.
The other belief about dog separation anxiety is that it comes about as a result of your dog assuming that he is pack leader and thus responsible for you.
This means that when you go out and your dog neither knows where you are going or when you're going to be back, nor is able to come and find you, they experience high levels of anxiety because they are fretting about your safety. This idea is founded upon studies of the wolf pack which suggest that packs need a pack leader in place to function efficiently.
Curing Dog Separation Anxiety
There's an increasing belief amongst top dog trainers that the way to get a happy dog is to make sure that they know that you're the leader of the pack. This applies to curing dog anxiety as well , so if you believe your dog is struggling with this problem, find yourself some good dog separation anxiety training, and ensure it includes showing you how to demonstrate to your dog that you are leader of the pack (note: no dom
The other belief about dog separation anxiety is that it comes about as a result of your dog assuming that he is pack leader and thus responsible for you.
This means that when you go out and your dog neither knows where you are going or when you're going to be back, nor is able to come and find you, they experience high levels of anxiety because they are fretting about your safety. This idea is founded upon studies of the wolf pack which suggest that packs need a pack leader in place to function efficiently.
Curing Dog Separation Anxiety
There's an increasing belief amongst top dog trainers that the way to get a happy dog is to make sure that they know that you're the leader of the pack. This applies to curing dog anxiety as well , so if you believe your dog is struggling with this problem, find yourself some good dog separation anxiety training, and ensure it includes showing you how to demonstrate to your dog that you are leader of the pack (note: no domination or force required)
Whatever way you choose to tackle the difficulty, please remember that punishing your dog for behaviour driven by anxiety, however bad it may be, will not help cure it. In truth is is probably going to worsen it.
About the Author:
This means that when you go out and your dog neither knows where you are going or when you're going to be back, nor is able to come and find you, they experience high levels of anxiety because they are fretting about your safety. This idea is founded upon studies of the wolf pack which suggest that packs need a pack leader in place to function efficiently.
Curing Dog Separation Anxiety
There's an increasing belief amongst top dog trainers that the way to get a happy dog is to make sure that they know that you're the leader of the pack. This applies to curing dog anxiety as well , so if you believe your dog is struggling with this problem, find yourself some good dog separation anxiety training, and ensure it includes showing you how to demonstrate to your dog that you are leader of the pack (note: no domination or force required)
Whatever way you choose to tackle the difficulty, please remember that punishing your dog for behaviour driven by anxiety, however bad it may be, will not help cure it. In truth is is probably going to worsen it.
About the Author:
About the Author: Venice Marriott is a writer, entrepreneur, dog lover and owner of the Dog Anxiety website which helps dog lovers understand and deal with the behavior problems created by dog anxiety. Get her free help sheet about all the major dog anxiety symptoms when you come to the site.