Can Training Remove Your Dogs Anxiousness?
August 15, 2011 by Venice Marriott
Filed under Dog Training
With research telling us that somewhere between 15% and 50% of our dogs show signs of dog separation anxiety, many dog keepers are on the lookout for the simplest way to remove their dogs anxiety and the dog behaviour problems made by it.
Nearly all dog trainers and vets agree that a behaviour alteration training course is vital to succeed in this, whether or not you also get some extra help for the issue with stress reducing products or medicines.
Is Training The Solution To Your Dogs Behaviour Issues?
Before you start a training program, you need to make certain it actually is dog separation anxiety that you’re dealing with, otherwise your efforts could all get wasted!
Plenty of the behaviours you see as a result of stress can also be employed by your dog to get your interest. For example, a dog may be chewing while you are out because they are anxious and the chewing action helps releases a natural endorphin that eases them down, or they could be chewing where you can see them because they know it will get your attention and that perhaps you will even chase them (and that’s is naturally a fun game).
As a rule of thumb, if they do the ‘bad behaviour ‘ while you are around, it’s likely to be attention seeking, but if they only do it while you are out, it’s more likely to be driven by separation anxiety. If you’re in doubt, talk to a dog trainer or vet.
How Effective is Dog Separation Anxiety Training?
Key to succeeding with any training programme is the requirement for you to be both consistent and determined to stick with it. There is no ‘magic potion ‘ to remove your dog’s anxiousness and don’t believe anyone that says there is. Yes, you can medicate your dog, or distract them from their feelings with toys and other products, and they may help, but to really get to the roots of the issue and remove it permanently you want to use training.
How Long Does Dog Separation Anxiety Training Take?
All dogs are individual, and learn at a different pace, so accurately predicting how long the training program will take to get rid of the anxiety is not very easy. Some dogs will accept changes quickly and you can see almost instant results while others are more resistant to change and challenging and it’ll take a bit more effort before they change. It also depends on what kind of time you’ve got to put into it.
One other thing to remember is that while practice should be consistent, progress seldom takes place in tiny incremental steps – ask any sports enthusiast. You can frequently feel you aren’t really getting anywhere and then suddenly take a big step forward.
Getting to the Root Cause of Dog Separation Anxiety
Frequently at the bottom of separation anxiety in dogs lies leadership issues and it’s essential that you tackle that issue with your training program.
It’s in a dogs nature to have a pack leader, so if they don’t think you are, they will assume they are. With the status of pack leader comes the responsibility for looking after the remainder of the pack, but as a dog doesn’t understand our world, that role can be very stressful. A real instance of this would be why so many postmen are barked at and bitten by our dogs, we know they are not a threat, but our dogs do not.
So make sure that any dog separation anxiety training you use shows you how to take on the leadership role in your dogs eyes. Wishing you every success.
Author Venice Marriott is a writer, dog owner and runs a Dog Anxiety web site which aims to help owners suffering with the difficulties of dog anxiety. Get more dog separation anxiety training tips, when you visit the site.
Dog Separation Anxiety – Keep That Dog Relaxed
September 16, 2010 by Stan Beck
Filed under Dog Training
One of the most common problems that dog owners have to tackle is separation anxiety. Separation Anxiety is one of the major causes of a dog’s unpleasant behavior. A very common display of separation anxiety is excessive barking when you leave the house. Neglecting to address this behavior will make your dog even worse to the point that even your neighbors will be disturbed.
The Sources of Dog Separation Anxiety
Dogs follow a social order known as a pack. They are attached in some way to their master or the other members of the household. But the anxiety that dogs feel is not directly due to its attachment to its owner; rather, it is attributable to specific actions you take prior to your departure. Dogs don’t like their masters to leave them, but your departure, but your departure has no direct connection to its agitation.
One particular reason for this behavior is the attention you give to your dog before you depart and upon your return. Going through the same pattern of activity before you leave has made you very predictable for your dog to understand that you are leaving. These routines accumulate on a daily basis and can be too much for your dog to handle that he becomes agitated or anxious as you leave the house.
Reducing Dog Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety can actually be reduced in a variety of ways. Some of the known ones are:
Change Your Routine. Make changes to your routines, especially your pre-departure habits. Dogs are very attentive creatures. They can tag a pattern of a series of activities that are repeated overtime. Make sure to change your daily pre-departure activities so that the dog can not retain a particular pattern of your activities. This will help to slowly reduce your dog’s anxiety.
Don’t Reinforce it. You don’t have to contribute to your dog’s separation anxiety by petting it before you leave or by giving it lavish attention when you return. This act only reinforces the dog’s anxious behavior. A dog’s separation anxiety can be eliminated if you can remove the connection between your arrival and departure from the lavish attention that you shower upon it each time you depart or arrive home. It is best to ignore your dog for at least 10 minutes as you get home, and don’t pet it before you leave. In short, simply ignore it no matter what it does to attract your attention. This anxiety elimination method can be perfected with the crate training or by simply putting your dog in a separate room to make it forget its attachment to the lavish attention you once accorded it.
Building Up to Longer Times. Alter your dog’s anticipations of your return. If the dog detects that you are about to leave, spend more time to stay before finally leaving, but do not pay attention to your dog on that period, because it will only add to its anxiety. You can also shorten the intervals that you will be away. Your dog’s anxiety will subside upon seeing you return within a short period. You can always extend the period that you will be away without your dog noticing it any longer.
You’re Not Being Mean
Putting a stop to dog separation anxiety is not a cruel act. It is in fact a way to help your dog to behave properly and giving it an assurance that you are coming back. The mere act of changing your movement patterns and to ignore the dog’s attention seeking efforts is a show of control and the dog should abide by it. Reducing a dog’s separation anxiety is reinforcing its physical and mental health.
It is important to note that persistent, severe anxiety issues warrants immediate action from you. Teaching your dog not to associate your departure or arrival with its sense of survival can greatly lessen its separation anxiety. It can be traced to a dog’s feeling of being abandoned.
Stan Beck has helped many pet owners with his Dog Training Methods. Visit his website to give you valuable insights about dog behavior training and how to reduce your dog’s Separation Anxiety. Free reprint avaialable from: Dog Separation Anxiety – Keep That Dog Relaxed.
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Is your dog too stuck on you?
February 24, 2010 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
Being alone can be really frightening, especially when you are a kid. A natural reaction of a child when left alone is to cry. We have all gone through this when we were young, We were always glued to our parents, especially to our moms. We do not want to be away from them. This is human instinct since when we were born, our mom is the first person that we lay our eyes on. in fact, we’ve already formed an attachment when we were still inside our mother’s womb.
Being left alone can be very emotional and stressful. It can be a difficult experience. But this fear of being isolated is not only exclusively felt by human beings. Animals are no exception. Even dogs, considered to be man’s best friend, suffer the same emotional predicament.
Dogs are naturally social creatures, they are pack animals. Like babies that develop an attachment to their mothers, dogs, too, develop a very strong bond with their canine female parents. These pups would only want to be with their turf, where the mother or father can guard them or provide food through the female dog’s mammary glands. But once this canine family attachment is dissolved, the dog immediately turns its attention to their owner or caretaker.
Dogs that become too dependent on their owners also do not want to be left alone. When dogs are left alone by their owners, they become really upset. As “dog depression”upset sets in, they become restless and even destructive This condition is called Separation Anxiety.
Separation anxiety in dogs is one of the most common canine behavioral problems encountered by veterinarians and seasoned dog breeders.Dogs can develop separation anxiety much faster if they do not have enough “socialization”. It can also occur if a dog is repeatedly transferred from one owner to another. Dogs that came from animal shelters and dogs that experienced traumatic events such as being in the house during a fire, during a burglary attempt, or while an alarm system sounded may show signs of anxiety.
A dog suffering from separation anxiety will become extremely anxious and distressed. Some signs of distress in your dog may include any of the following:
· Excessive barking and whining when left alone
· Incessant chewing on variety of things and destroys objects
· Urinate, defecate and vomit in different locations in the house.
· Demands too much attention from you when you are at home
· Gets overly excited when you return home
Dogs that fail to cope with a sudden change in environment may also develop separation anxiety. It is often difficult to treat this condition because the behavior only occurs when the owner is not around. It can also be alarming when the owner leaves for an extended period of time. This is exactly why you might also want to read about Secrets to Dog Training Review or Dog Food Secrets Review.
Experts say that there are medications that can suppress anxiety. These are often used on dogs with severe separation anxiety or when owners simply must leave the dog alone for an extended period while treatment is being done. The use of drugs allows the dog to spend extended periods of time free of anxiety. A veterinarian should be consulted for further information about the use of safe and effective anxiety- suppressing drugs.
These are other ways to reduce separation anxiety in your dog:
· Make arrivals and departures very low key
· Give your dog something to do when he is alone
· Plan your exits
· Leave a radio or TV on so he can listen to human voices when left alone
· Confine your dog in a crate that will also serve him as shelter
· Exercise your dogs
It is important to take immediate measures once you suspect that your dog has this condition. But this fear of being isolated is not only exclusively felt by human beings. Keep in mind that your pet’s disorder can be treated and that they also need proper care and attention. So, if you noticed that your dog is so stuck on you, you might consider taking your “best friend” to the veterinarian. Also, take a little time to look at some [Funny Pictures|Funny Pics|Funndy Dog Pictures].
Calming Nerves: Easing the Stress of Dog Separation Anxiety
January 27, 2010 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
It can be difficult to explain to your dog or puppy that you are merely going to work for the day and will return later. To your dog, you are his or her pack. You are everything in their life. They cannot understand most of the words you speak. This can lead to a great deal of stress on your canine companion. What you know will only be a short time apart may feel like a permanent separation to your dog. Learn how to recognize separation anxiety in dogs. There are ways to help ease stress and prepare your pet for time away from you. With a few simple training methods, you can minimalize and possibly cure dog separation anxiety.
Each dog handles feelings of separation differently. Some can become very destructive, and take their frustration and worry out on your home. Doors and woodwork may be scratched, pillows and anything else they can find maybe wind up chewed, ripped and torn. Other canines voice their displeasure at being left alone by barking and barking. This may be less destructive on your home, but it is not healthy for your dog’s mental well being. If you have neighbors close by, they will certainly not appreciate it, either. Learn how to combat separation anxiety in dogs so that you, your pet, and your neighbors can enjoy a peaceful coexistence.
Do not wait to utilize your pet’s crate for times you are actually going to be gone. Gently acclimate him or her to their wire or plastic den before taking such a big step. Begin by positively introducing the crate. Let your dog wander in and out.
Teach a “kennel” command by rewarding with praise or a treat each time your dog enters the crate when you tell him or her to. Once you have built up confidence, start closing the door while they are inside. Only leave them in for a short time, with you close by. From there, start walking away for longer periods. Make sure to visit once in a while in between. Eventually, you can work up to leaving your dog crated while you make a quick run to the corner store or neighbor’s house. Eventually your pet will understand you will return for him or her and be alright with the crating process. The crate will also prevent potential destruction that can result from dog separation anxiety or boredom.
Other training steps can be taken as well. Anytime your dog lies calmly and peacefully away from you, reward him or her. Positive reinforcement of this sort of independent behavior will help your pet understand that this is what you want, and what is best for them. That does not mean you should not pet or praise them for coming to you. You are telling your pet that it is ok to be apart for periods of time.
Dogs are creatures of habit. A third good practice, especially with cases involving older dog separation anxiety, is to maintain a schedule. Your dog will come to learn when you will be coming and going. He or she will know when to expect you and be able to relax while you are away.
There are many dog separation anxiety cures. Find one or a combination of methods that works best for your furry friend. Even if you are not home to hear it or see it, this type of behavior can be very harmful to your dog’s well being. Ease their mind and build a stronger bond by teaching your dog it is ok to be apart. They will learn to trust that you will return. In the end, you will both be much happier to see each other after a relaxing day apart!
Copyright Danny Taylor
