This is a hot button topic for so many people. In today’s age we treat our dogs more and more like our children. We love them unconditionally and many of us have very little, if any rules or boundaries. We take our dogs everywhere if possible, but then suddenly run into the issue of them not being happy when we do leave. Since there are varying severities of separation anxiety there are a lot of different ways to deal with it as well. This week on the blog I’m talking about how I deal with my own dog’s separation anxiety and give some useful tips over on YouTube.
Rooster’s separation anxiety can be summed up in one word: naughty. Now let me explain, his anxiety doesn’t cause him to do self harm, it doesn’t cause him to run around and cry or get worked up in that way as many dogs do. His anxiety results in just plain mischievous behavior like getting into the garbage, or just casually laying in his kennel howling. I mean, he isn’t even trying to get out or throwing a complete tantrum, it’s like he’s calmly singing the blues!
His anxiety is pretty low compared to a lot of dogs and is getting increasingly better the more I work on leaving him alone. Because of this, the solution has been just as minimal; he gets kenneled while we’re gone. This solved the majority all of his unwanted behaviors and keeps him safe from potential hazards he can get into, like the garbage. He’s not perfect and still occasionally whines and barks, but that is improving overall as well.
For other solutions and things to try with your own dog, I discuss more tips over on my YouTube video on this topic. Check it out and let me know if any of these things work for your dog or if you need additional resources or help brainstorming solutions!
