Does your dog howl endlessly when you leave? Does he sit all day at the front door waiting for you to return? This can be as distressing for the dog owner as well as the dog. We are often contacted by people who’ve become prisoners in their own home. Some dare not leave the house, even to go to the store, and as for going out and having a ‘social life’… they can forget that! They fear the dog will bark and annoy the neighbors, or destroy the house before they return, not to mention the puddles that need mopping-up. This problem isn’t confined to a particular breed, age or gender of dog, although it is common in rescue dogs and dogs of a certain personality.
Your dog’s symptoms of separation anxiety may include:
- Attempting to escape from his crate or your yard
- Destroying furniture
- Excessive salivation
- Scratching at doors
- Whining
There are many reasons for separation anxiety, and only a thorough investigation of the dog’s background in its home environment will pinpoint the exact cause. For instance, some dogs exhibit separation anxiety behaviors to get attention. Some dogs are never taught that it’s okay to separate from their owners. They learn from an early age that it’s okay to follow you everywhere in the house, even to the bathroom, and some will even insist on accompanying you in the shower.
The good news? You don’t have to be house bound forever. Your dog can learn that being away from you is okay. You can instill confidence in your dog and your leadership so he becomes more confident when left alone. With our unique Bark Busters dog behavior modification system, we will identify the underlying causes for the separation anxiety, and put an action plan and appropriate therapy in place to correct and cure your dog’s separation anxiety.
