Behavior problems are at the top of the list of unhappy dog
owners. Each year dogs are abandoned, put out of their adapted
homes, or put to sleep because of bad behavior.
Destructiveness, excessive vocalization, and house soiling are
the most common signs of separation anxiety. These bad habits
occur when the dog is separated from its owner.
Dogs are considered pack animals, so they prefer to be part of
a group, and have a "pack leader" to follow and look up to. The
dog's owner becomes the "pack leader" in the eyes of the dog,
and when the leader isn't there to follow, the dog feels
abandoned. This abandonment leads to anxiety and frustration
which the dog has to deal with, the only way he knows how, what
we call bad behavior.
Positive indications of separation anxiety are bad behavior
primarily when your dog is left alone, he follows you
everywhere you go, he becomes overexcited when you return home,
he becomes excited or depressed when you prepare to leave home,
or if he dislikes being alone out of doors.
Separation anxiety is not due to disobedience or lack of
training. It is an instinctive behavior and should not be
punished. The key to treating this problem is to gradually
train or condition your dog to get used to your absence. When
you leave home or return home make it a low key event.
Begin by leaving your dog alone at home for only a few minutes
for the first few days or so. Then gradually lengthen your
leaves in the weeks ahead. Also you should try to very your
leaves at different times of the day so as not to create a
pattern or habit. To yelp ease his anxiety, you can leave your
dog an article of clothing that has your scent on it.
Remember, you are attempting to break your dog's old habit of
dependency on you, so you must develop new habits and condition
your dog to accept them. It takes time, patience, and love, but
in the end it is well worth the effort.
About The Author: Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have
been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed http://Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can shop for the
latest dog collars, dog clothes, pet supplies and more. Check
them out at http://www.joncopets.com
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