Does your dog mope around when you are getting ready for work every morning? Do you often come home to a house that has been torn apart or defecated in? Does your dog act overly excited when you walk in the door, even if you’ve only been gone for ten minutes? These are all signs that your dog might have separation anxiety. Dogs are never separated from their pack in nature, so it makes sense that they can become so distressed when you leave them alone. But you can’t just stay home all of the time, so how do you deal with your dog’s separation anxiety? Our veterinary clinic in North Bellmore has come up with these tips to help:
- Exercise your dog before you leave – Wake up early and take your dog on a walk before you leave for work in the morning. The goal is to leave for the day when your dog is in a restful, calm mood, so don’t be afraid to make the walk more rigorous by using a dog backpack with a little bit of extra weight in it for them to carry.
- Stay calm – Dogs are very observant, and they can sense and feed off of your energy. If you are nervous about leaving your dog alone, they will pick up on it and it will make the whole situation worse. Practice exuding confidence and staying calm when you leave for the day.
Want to learn about more tips for dealing with your dog’s separation anxiety? If so, please stay tuned for our next blog!