Understanding puppy separation anxiety will make training your new puppy much easier.
Whenever we are suddenly separated from the people we are very close to for a long period of time, we may go through a certain stage called separation anxiety. It is a normal condition that may lead to other conditions like depression but that varies depending on the individual and it is likely to occur on younger folks. Surprisingly, this goes the same way with man’s best friend too.
That’s right, dogs can experience some puppy separation anxiety conditions as well and like regular kids, those adorable puppies you want to take home so badly can experience them too.
Letting puppy separation anxiety take effect is never a good idea for the long run. But before you put the situation to full attention, you must observe the behavior of your puppy so you can adjust your daily habits in favor of your puppy. See if there are any signs of barking or whimpering. Puppies do that if they suddenly get separated from their mothers or a place they are normally comfortable with.
These signs usually occur during a specific time frame so it is best to check on your puppy during the night. Even if you are partially sure your puppy suffers from puppy separation anxiety, you can take the opportunity to make your puppy feel more at home.
Training and Companionship
Getting your puppy to be more active with you and others is an effective way to show the puppy is part of the group. Doing this consistently will give the puppy the idea he or she is really not alone and this may just lessen the whimpering. But try not to overdo things because it is just as important to train your puppy on how to be alone. Otherwise, your puppy will just become far too attached to you and may suffer from puppy separation anxiety whenever you are not around.
Training is also a good way for your puppy to get active and alert. After a few minutes or hours of training are completed, the puppy will likely feel too tired to bark strangely or whimper for the rest of the night.
Your puppy must also have proper sleep at the right time to counter the anxiety. One neat trick is to get your puppy to sleep on a bed or crate. Both of these give your puppy limited space but actually add some comfort once the puppy learns to relax and realizes there are people around. If you cannot monitor your puppy at night, try to add some sound distractions like a ticking alarm clock just till your puppy gets a bit stimulated. However, nothing beats the sound of a human voice as it often gives puppies confidence. Then you should train the puppy to urinate in proper areas because it is hard to do when the pup gets older.
Stimulation
Don’t forget to give your puppy other things to do in case you are not around. Even something as simple as a chew toy can help prevent your puppy from doing harmful things like self-mutilation and destructive chewing.
Puppy separation anxiety is a serious issue but it can be fixed if you act swiftly and devote your time in a balanced manner.
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There is a lot of talk about dogs having these puppy separation anxiety problems.
A lot of families have to deal with these situations with their beloved pets but did you know that puppy separation anxiety is frequent in puppies and older dogs as well? It is indeed a reality and you might not be aware of it unless you pay close attention to your puppies at the right times. Even if you never heard of this condition in pets before, you should consider getting to know anxiety in puppies a bit more so you and any pets you own never have to go through the situation.
Understanding Puppy Separation Anxiety
Whenever puppies are left alone and separated from their mothers or other individuals they are emotionally close to, anxiety takes place that first involves some distress and can later escalate to some problems in behavior. This is actually very similar to the situations real human beings experience when they are separated from the people they are close to.
You need to remember dogs are pack animals and all dogs in the pack want to be together. Just about all dogs may suffer from this condition especially when they are very young.
Analyzing the Anxiety in Puppies
The actual cause of dog separation anxiety is actually unknown but many experts in the field have come up with several conclusions based on usual experiences. For puppies, it is quite easy to figure out especially if the puppy is taken to a new home. Puppies are separated from their mothers or have been separated for a while depending on what happened in the past. Other possibilities less likely for puppies include lack of stimulation or downright rejection as puppies. Poor health may also be attributed to the puppy separation anxiety.
But once again, you won’t be able to figure out exactly what your puppy is going through unless you look for some of the key puppy separation anxiety symptoms.
Do you notice your puppy whining or howling during the nighttime? Maybe you could be hearing some strange sounding barks as if the puppy is badly trying to get someone’s attention. Check out the areas where your puppy urinates as well and see if they are appropriate. Otherwise, inappropriate areas are a clear sign of stress due to the anxiety. Some of the more energetic puppies may tend to get hyperactive and start messing up things left and right.
Solving the Problem of Puppy Separation Anxiety
Once you notice these symptoms do not panic and worry about your poor puppy. In fact, consider this as a good thing because your pet is still in fact a puppy leaving you with plenty of time to correct the condition so he or she can grow up to be a wonderful and loving pet that feels at home with you.
This may take some time because your puppy must feel his or her “pack” or “master” is you. You can do this by making your puppy exercise to lessen the barking and give the puppy a small area to stay in for added comfort. As long as you give your puppy equal attention and equal time alone, the puppy separation anxiety should slowly fade away.
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