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MY DOG CAN'T STAND TO BE ALONE!
As you may have noticed, every time you're about to leave home, he makes a scene to let you know that this separation saddens him deeply, as deeply as he is attached to you. During your absence, he may also be destructive or messy. This distress shows that he is probably suffering from separation anxiety. We offer a focus on this behavioral disorder that is more common than we think.
WHERE DOES SEPARATION ANXIETY COME FROM?
When he is small, the puppy is totally dependent on his mother, to whom he is very attached and with whom he feels totally safe. After the first fundamental learning, she also teaches her puppies to detach themselves from her little by little, so that when they reach puberty, they can live their adult life without her.
Upon arrival in a new home, owners often show over-attention. In some cases, he may become particularly attached to one of the family members, making him a reference point and becoming almost dependent on him. When this person is absent and the dog is without him, the anxiety about this separation is immense.
HOW DOES THIS ANXIETY MANIFEST ITSELF?
Separation anxiety and hyper attachment are often linked.
When his family is present, the dog absolutely seeks his company and to be as close as possible to them. He is particularly present, even clingy, and constantly demands attention.
When he is alone, his stress pushes him to find an outlet: he barks, whines, may self-mutilate, be messy or destroy.
This anxiety is all the greater because our departures are punctuated by rituals: we put on our shoes, take our coat, our keys, say a long goodbye to the dog... In the case of an observant animal, seeing these signs means that his master is going to be away, which only increases his anxiety before he has even left.
Similarly, when we come back, we tend to over-respond to our dog's requests to "party" with us, because we feel a little guilty for leaving him alone. Here again, it is a bad ritual that gives reason to our pet: I am only appeased when my master is there.
ADAPTIL: PHEROMONES TO SOOTHE YOUR DOG
Cousin of the famous Feliway for cats, Adaptil is a range of products for dogs that uses pheromones to provide a naturally soothing effect to adult animals facing stressful situations.
In the case of separation anxiety, the Adaptil diffuser is the most suitable product.
To be plugged into an electrical outlet in the room of your house where your dog spends most of his time, it diffuses a reassuring message to your pet who encounters a difficult situation, in this case solitude, to bring him serenity and well-being. It is effective within 24 hours for 30 days, renewable.
OUR ADVICE TO LIMIT THIS STRESS
- Teach your dog to be independent by leaving him alone for short periods, then longer and longer.
- Limit departure rituals.
- Before leaving, offer your dog his favorite toys to reassure him and keep him busy. A chewable kong can also be a great idea to keep destructive dogs occupied.
- To soothe your dog while you're away, use the Adaptil diffuser to plug into your home.
- No return rituals. If he's used to celebrating you, ignore him, so he understands that your absence was just an ordinary period. Hug him only when he's calm
- Don't scold him if you notice any damage to your home. Dogs understand that they've done something wrong when they're reprimanded right away, not hours later.
