How Separation Anxiety Can Affect Your Dogs Behavior

Posted on April 28th, 2023 by FetchMasters in Uncategorized

Roughly 50% of all American households own a dog. Dogs aren’t just pets, they’re part of your family. In the same way, you’d support a family member that’s going through a tough time, you need to know how to deal with a pet’s mental health problems.

If you notice changes in your pet’s behavior when left alone, they might suffer from separation anxiety. This causes them stress and can lead to them exhibiting undesirable behaviors.

Separation anxiety in dogs can be hard to spot if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Keep reading to find out if you should consider hiring dog trainers in Denver to help you and your dog manage their mental health.

Signs and Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Before you can get your dog help, you need to first identify which behaviors and signs point to anxiety, and which are simply canine behaviors. Like humans, dogs are all different, so their symptoms might also differ. 

Most commonly, some dog starts showing signs of anxiety as their owners prepare to leave for the day. Most people have a routine they follow before they leave and your dog is able to pick up on it. Simply picking up your keys or putting your shoes on can be enough to signal to your dog that you’re leaving them.

These signs of leaving are what usually trigger your dog to start acting out. They try to prevent you from leaving by either drawing your attention or doing something they know you’ll disapprove of.

Another sign is when you return home and they’re overly excited, acting like they haven’t seen you in years. While it’s normal that they show signs of excitement, excessive levels might indicate that they were extremely anxious while you were away.

If you suspect your dog might have separation anxiety you can always contact dog training schools in Colorado to see if they can come and assess the situation. The trainers will be able to determine if your dog is acting out due to anxiety, or other reasons.

What Can I Do About My Dog’s Separation Anxiety?

Seeing your dog suffer from anxiety can be heartbreaking. Luckily there are steps you can take to help with your dog care.

Once you know your dog suffers from separation anxiety it’s important that you contact trainers in your area. If you’re looking for dog trainers in Denver, Fetchmasters offers in-home dog training and private coaching options. You need to work with your dog at home to ensure their separation anxiety is supported.

Some dog training schools in Colorado encourage crate training and counter-conditioning to help your dog manage their anxiety.

If the separation anxiety is severe your trainer might recommend you take your dog to the vet. Your vet can prescribe some anti-anxiety medication that can help your dog cope with this condition. 

Know How to Spot Separation Anxiety in Dogs

When it comes to dealing with separation anxiety in dogs, the best course of action is to contact dog trainers in Denver to see if they can assist you. Some trainers might even recommend dog training schools in Colorado as an option to help you deal with your pet care.

If you’re looking for puppy and dog training coaches, contact Fetchmasters today. At Fetchmasters, we specialize in both high-performance obedience training and behavior modification for most issues.