separation anxiety syndrome

How to leave the dog alone without him missing you? This is one of the questions many tutors ask themselves. And we’re already ahead: there’s no overnight recipe. The dog is a living being that gets attached and, in this way, ends up becoming dependent on someone. However, there are ways to prevent or even interpret a possible separation anxiety syndrome.

But this is only possible if we can understand the main symptoms of the problem. Which can often be confused with any other dysfunction or canine misbehavior. Therefore, even before you make a self-diagnosis of what is happening to your animal, look for a specialized professional.

Only he can give an endorsement and say what is actually happening. Meanwhile, a behavioral analysis you can and should do. After all, that’s the only way you can inform the vet, isn’t it? Follow to understand.

What are the main symptoms of this syndrome?

Separation anxiety syndrome can contain traits of the most diverse behaviors in our dogs. It can make them extremely physically and mentally ill. And this is not necessarily linked to an action or reaction. That is, the illness process can be long until a condition appears.

And that’s why it’s of paramount importance that you pay attention to every possible detail about what’s happening to the dog. To make it clearer, we have prepared a list of some behaviors. Look.

Dogs avoid and stop eating or drinking water

The first and most notorious condition caused by the lack that the dog misses the owner is to stop drinking or eating during the day and at times when you (the owner) are not there. That is, the anxiety that you come home soon is so great that the dog doesn’t even have an appetite or thirst during the day.

In fact, he even continues with the physical needs. But he ignores them to focus solely and exclusively on your return and the moment you open the door. This is extremely disastrous for the dog, since the lack of nutrient intake from the feed or even severe dehydration could cause serious damage to the body in the medium and long term.

A natural dog food or even a qualified dog food should be the basis for the dog to live happily and healthy. And when he doesn’t ingest what he needs, over time, several diseases will begin to emerge. And, indirectly, the separation anxiety syndrome is working against the animal.

Depression begins to take over the animal

Have you ever heard of dog depression? Well, this is an extremely harmful evil for the animal’s mental health. And missing you in a desperate and anxious way, the dog can develop a condition of deep sadness. Because he really thinks that every time you leave, you’re going to leave him.

Dogs are extremely sentimental. And when something is not properly aligned in their daily lives, the chain of feelings can turn inside out and transform that joy into the dark depths of loneliness and indifference to life. And you don’t want that for your pet, do you?

Intolerant behavior begins to show

Separation anxiety syndrome will become even more visible in everyday life when the dog’s intolerant behavior begins to dominate him. But what do you mean intolerant behavior? Simple: basically, the dog will no longer tolerate games, caresses or corrections. He will not understand anything and will be unbalanced.

He will not only find you strange, but he will no longer have the limits he had before. And it’s your responsibility to make sure he doesn’t feel that way, taking him to a professional who can help with correct training.

They are more isolated

When a dog is afraid of something, like fireworks for example, it will easily seek to hide or isolate itself. But when there are no apparent motivations for this to happen, it’s important for you to be aware, because something wrong may be happening in his life.

Feeling homesick in excess and uncontrolled anxiety is not healthy. And even before you romanticize this situation because you think it’s cute or cute, it’s important to take care of and watch over the puppy’s health. When he feels like that, it means he’s not doing well!

The desire to play practically disappears

This condition is also highly correlated with depression. When your dog shows a great lack of desire or inspiration to play, run and have fun (even with you at home), it means that something is out of control. Either he’s in some pain, or he’s scared, or he’s tired from another activity, or finally, he has separation anxiety syndrome.

This problem does not notify when it will arrive. He just arrives and silently ends up bringing many behavioral problems to the animal and the tutor.

How to treat or prevent separation anxiety syndrome?

Now that you understand what the main symptoms of separation anxiety syndrome are, it’s time to understand what you can do to avoid or treat the problem. It is worth remembering, as we mentioned before, that there is no miracle or magic recipe. It takes treatment and training.

And for that, always count on the help of specialists, veterinarians and trainers so that you can get the maximum possible positive result. However, follow the topics below.

Changing habits is one of the main factors of separation anxiety syndrome

One of the main reasons for a dog to contract separation anxiety syndrome is precisely to stay away from you, tutor or tutor. And for the problem to begin to be solved gradually, it is of paramount importance that you have a change of habits in this regard.

Of course, we can’t always change our routine overnight. But it is often possible to make small adjustments to make everything better. A dog with separation anxiety may need a lot more attention when he starts to get sick, so prevention is better.

Try to spend less time outside or hire someone to walk and spend a few hours with your pet. This will make him feel much more alive and willing!

Antidepressants May Help Treat Separation Anxiety Syndrome — But With Caution

Antidepressants are an alternative to help with the problem. However, they need to be administered with great caution and can never be given without the supervision and express recommendation of a veterinarian. After all, the ingestion of medicine on its own can damage health more than help, if there is no understanding on the subject.

Train your dog consistently

Dog training can and should be part of every animal’s everyday life. With the right techniques and a professional who understands the subject, you will certainly have a much more emotionally balanced dog. And it is precisely this point that you need to look for when trying to condition it.

In a dressage, the dog will learn that he can (and should) live without depending on you. In addition, you will also learn many techniques to use indoors and, in this way, collaborate for the improvement of the animal. Or avoid the problem, if it is not yet noticed.

Avoid saying goodbye when you leave the house

One of the most recurring problems when leaving for work or any other commitment is closing the door and hearing the dog crying . It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it? But this often has a motivation, which is precisely the act of saying goodbye or interacting with the pet before leaving.

Yes, when you interact with the animal and it feels happy, you cannot abandon it. If this happens, he will be extremely agitated, looking for you and howling. Besides suffering (and a lot) with strong anxiety. So when you go out, leave in a way that he doesn’t notice. Or that, at least, he doesn’t understand that you’re abandoning him.

Avoid greeting him the first few minutes you get home

Separation anxiety syndrome is exactly what the name says: a syndrome. That is, it can appear for several combinations of reasons. And just as you shouldn’t say goodbye to the dog and leave, you shouldn’t greet him when you arrive. As much as nostalgia speaks louder, avoid interacting with the animal in the first few minutes at home.

This will make him understand that you didn’t leave, you just went there and came back, and you didn’t even have to hug him, because it was a commonplace situation. Dogs live on conditioning. And the more you condition the animal to live independently and happily at the same time, the more healthy it can live.

Anxiety is not good. Especially when the dog can’t let you know that he’s feeling bad about it. In this way, avoid leaving him alone for a long time and seek qualified help to train him and prepare him to live well alone. Take care of your dog !