Sunday, August 2, 2009

my dog has bad separation anxiety any answers?

our 7mth old pup is wonderful in all ways and our baby SPOILT! His mother was chinese crested and dad shitzhu, bit of a mistake. He was quite good until we went away for a few days my mum came to stay, he stopped eating and statred pulling his fur out. When I go to work he scratches our pine door so much, his paws bleed it is breaking my heart to leave him.
Answers:
This takes a long time to overcome, so you need patience. The only way to stop it is to gradually get your dog used to your absence. That means frequently leaving it alone for short periods of time (start with just a few minutes); gradually increase the absence time as the dog gets used to it. This is hard to do, I know, if you live alone. Crating the dog is abusive.
See about getting him a friend.
ASK A VET ABOUT TRANQUILIZERS

CRATE HIM WHEN YOU ARE NOT HOME
I would crate him when I am not home. The smaller space isnt cruel, it's comforting to them.
you need to get him a crate to stay in when you are not at home. And when you are at home put him in the crate in a room by himself. let him cry.do not go back in there until he is quiet. then go to see him once he is quiet for a few minutes and then leave him again. do not go bck until he is quiet. he will eventually learn that you are coming back when you leave and it is ok. I had a 1 month old pup that did the same thing and this worked or me.
you spoiled him u admitted it,, try to crate train him when ur home
The first thing is not to show your own anxiety about leaving him. No lingering goodbyes. This may seem harsh but the longer you spend reassuring the dog the more he will know there is something to worry about. It is a good idea to leave him for short periods first if possible so he understands you are coming back, then gradually increase the time. If he has to stay with anyone make sure he is well familiar with them before the event.
When you leave him make sure he feels he has a safe place to lie down eg. bed in a corner with a couple of his favourite toys. Possibly leave the radio on so there are sounds in the house. Also Kongs are very good; put his favourite treats inside for him to amuse himself. If you are out at work could anyone pop in to see him?
A very good run before you need to leave him followed by his meal should also help him settle.
Above all, be relaxed for the whole period before you are about to leave.
Your dog requires training. Separation anxiety in dogs is the fear or dislike of isolation which often results in undesirable behaviour. Separation anxiety is one of the most common causes of canine behavioural problems.

There so many simple solutions for this complex problems. Important treatments for this problem are -
obedience training
punishment crate-training- crate-training when the pup is young

Planned departures- This method involves gradually adjusting the dog to being alone by exposure to many short departures.
My dog also has terrible seperation anxiety. If we leave for 2 minutes he thinks we abandoned him. Try getting him a kennel. Buy a soft bed and maybe a blanket to put in it. Then when you are not home put him in there. Also put in like a rawhide to occupy him because otherwise he will just chew the bed. I hope this works for you.

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