Do Puppies Grow out of Separation Anxiety?
When you’re raising a dog, you’re likely to encounter some behavioral challenges in them. One of them is separation anxiety.
According to Tufts Animal Behavior Clinic, it’s primarily seen in puppies, although older ones too go through this anxiety. Your question now is, how do puppies outgrow separation anxiety?
Questions that are answered with yes or no, are left with more riddles and questions. Hence, before jumping into answering this, it’s important to know what separation anxiety is.
Separation anxiety is an overwhelming and distressing effect that dogs feel when they are separated from their owners, especially for a long time.
It’s really common, and it influences a lot of puppies, but it won’t go away on its own. It is vital to know that dogs don’t often outgrow separation anxiety.
It’s a type of anxiety that’s not associated with age nor can be medically treated. A mild sense of separation anxiety may reduce over time. But, this is not always in the majority of cases of moderate to severe separation anxiety.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to stop separation anxiety in its tracks.
How to Deal With Separation Anxiety in Puppies
Understandably, finding your dog in distress can be disturbing. It’s an even worse scenario for your puppy. To help your puppy overcome separation anxiety, you’ll need to work with him/her.
The purpose of using these measures according to Tufts Animal Behavior Clinic is to “resolve the dog’s underlying fear by training him to appreciate, or at least tolerate, being left alone.”
If you’re looking for how to treat separation anxiety in puppies, here are a few suggestions.
Crate Training
Some dogs have been studied to feel at ease and safer in their crate. Other dogs, on the other hand, may become frightened, especially if the proper time and effort are not put into crate training. Monitor your puppy’s behavior to observe if they are calm or if their anxiety symptoms get aggravated.
Hence, in training your dog, a crate is your dog’s best ally. It’s a valuable training tool and the answer to many puppy problems.
If you can properly apply it to training your dog, it can provide a safe, peaceful haven for your dog to unwind. The key thing is to get your dog to identify their crate with positive things like food and chew toys and puzzle toys. They are what will make them enjoy spending time inside.
Remember, the idea isn’t to crate your dog forever. It’s just to protect them and your home as you guide them in appreciating solitude.
Clinginess
Puppies can be very clingy, a major reason they are called man’s best friend. However, you have to train your puppy to be independent by allowing him to be alone in another room even when you are present.
Another technique to alleviate excessive attachment is to emphasize a strong stay. You can achieve this by leaving the room for a small period. Once your puppy can stay for a few minutes, you can begin to depart. Ensure you work at achieving this by setting milestones. You can leave his sight for five or ten minutes while he stays.
Upon returning from your trips or daily routine without your puppy, it’s also crucial that you’re calm. Avoid scolding your dog if you return home to meet damages or accidents.
Be affectionate and avoid being overly sentimental. Dogs can sense the demeanor with which you’re approaching them, and this can worsen their anxiety level. Avoid comforting your dog when they’re exhibiting signs of anxiety, as it simply reinforces their fear.
CBD Oil and Medication
CBD oil is a hemp extract that contains cannabinoids, which are active substances that interact with the endocannabinoid system in dogs.
Many veterinarians support the use of CBD oil and even use it on their dogs, but they are unable to suggest it due to its present legal position. You might be quick to say that many states in the US have decriminalized the use of but some state laws apply to pets.
A study from Cornell confirms that a twice-daily 2mg dose of CBD will alleviate your dog’s anxiety and increase their comfort.
Natural medications may help your dog get relief from separation anxiety, or at the very least make your training program go more smoothly. Ensure you contact your veterinarian before providing any over-the-counter products to your dog, especially if they are taking prescription meds.
Signs of Separation Anxiety in Puppies
Dogs, just like humans, can show stress in different ways. Although it’s usually quite straightforward to identify if your dog has separation anxiety. But sometimes owners may mistake the behavior as something else.
Now, it’s key to note that one or two of these symptoms may not be indicative of puppy separation anxiety.
However, if your puppy exhibits these symptoms often, he may have separation anxiety. Here are some of the signs;
- Always following you around.
One of the indicators of separation anxiety is that your puppy will follow you around everywhere. They are always under foot.
- Inability to sleep in another room.
If simply being in another room is too challenging for your puppy, you should begin working with them to ensure they are more comfortable being alone.
- Crying, barking, or being disruptive in your absence.
If your neighbors report hearing your puppy whimpering or barking while you were away, it’s a sign they’re suffering from separation anxiety.
- Being destructive when left alone.
Puppies with separation anxiety often turn destructive when left alone. When you return home, you may discover that your valuables, walls, and furniture have been damaged.
- Peeing/pooping inside when left alone.
Potty training is an important part of owning a puppy. Teaching your dog to go outside to potty is vital. However, if your puppy is potty trained but still urinates inside when you leave them, it could be a symptom that they’re suffering from separation anxiety.
What Causes Separation Anxiety In Puppies?
Do dogs are pack animals, meaning instinctively, they would rarely ever be alone in a pack. Puppies, like babies, also do not have object permanence, meaning when we leave sight, they think we’ve left existence.
This is also why babies cry when you leave them in a room. Since you are your dog’s pack, and parent, it is imperative that you teach them how to be alone in confidence, knowing that you’ll always come back and that they haven’t been abandoned, but rather can take that time to decompress and relax.
There is no one reason as to why dogs suffer from separation anxiety, and further, there can be many more triggers of it. Here is a list of circumstances that have also been linked to the onset of separation anxiety;
Change of Guardianship or Family
Separation anxiety can be triggered by being surrendered, abandoned, or even simply leaving their litter and mother and being delivered to a new family or guardian.
Changes to the Schedule
Separation anxiety can be triggered by a sudden shift in a dog’s schedule in terms of how long and when he is left alone.
Changes in Family Structure
Separation anxiety can be triggered by the abrupt absence of a resident family member, whether due to relocation or death.
Conclusion
Separation Anxiety is a very typical problem among puppy owners and their new puppies. It is almost unavoidable. And once It has taken root, treating it can be a difficult task.
Expect your puppy’s anxiety to last a long time. Work with your puppy to help them become more at ease while they are alone before things grow worse.
To make the process go more smoothly, consider working with a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a veterinary behaviorist. You and your puppy will both get more comfortable with your puppy being alone with time, patience, and practice.