Advice for seperation anxiety in dogs.
- Exercise: Tire your dog out with exercise and mental stimulation before you leave. This can help reduce stress and anxiety.
- Provide toys: Leave your dog with toys to keep them occupied, such as interactive toys, a KONG toy filled with food, or a snuffle mat with treats hidden inside.
- Use a calming garment: A swaddling jacket or pressure wrap can use gentle pressure to relieve anxiety.
- Establish a routine: Create a routine with designated times for eating, exercise, training, rest, and alone time.
- Use counter conditioning: Train your dog to replace anxious or aggressive behaviours with more desirable ones through positive behaviour reinforcement.
- Avoid punishment: Don't scold or punish your dog for showing signs of separation anxiety. Anxious behaviours are a distress response, not disobedience.
- Crate train: Crate training can give your dog their own space and calm anxiety.
- Use a relaxing environment: Use tools like pheromone diffusers or anxiety wraps to encourage relaxation during alone time.
If these tips don't help, you can see a veterinarian or certified animal behaviourist.
