Three Ways You Can Treat Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety

Every year, over six million dogs are placed in animal shelters across the country. There are many reasons why people give up their dogs. Many do so because they adopted dogs without realizing how much work they might be. Some give dogs up due to the fact that they’re moving and can no longer keep them. Being unable to afford a pet is also a major factor in people’s decisions to place their dogs up for adoption. However, behavior problems are among the biggest issues that lead to people giving up their dogs. Many dogs exhibit several different behavior problems, some of which are more aggravating than others. But there are some behaviors that need a more serious approach — perhaps even the intervention of an animal behavior specialist — while others can be dealt with through certain lifestyle changes and extra training. In fact, a lot of “bad” dog behaviors are triggered by separation anxiety. This particularly applies to excessive chewing and other types of destructive behavior in the house. You shouldn’t give up on your dog due to behavior problems, especially if those problems are rooted in separation anxiety. Fortunately, there are many different tips and tricks that can help you alter your dog’s behavior. For that matter, investing in training tools like indestructible crate pads can also help matters. Let’s look into what you can do to make life with your dog a bit easier.

 

1. Investing In A Good Crate

 

One of the reasons why dogs often exhibit destructive behavior when left alone at the house is that they really have too much space. It’s easier for dogs to feel safe and enclosed if they’re in a crate. Perhaps you don’t keep your dog in a crate at all — there is still time to crate train your dog, even if it’s grown up without that training. Additionally, training aids like indestructible crate pads can make the training process a lot simpler. If your dog is a senior dog or suffers from stiff joints, you may be reluctant to crate them — fortunately, orthopedic kennel pads are manufactured for just this purpose. With the right crate, you could also keep a dog bed in the crate. Of course, you may have already tried crate training your dog, and feel discouraged after it’s destroyed what seems to be a sturdy crate. But in using indestructible crate pads, you’ll have to worry a lot less about your dog chewing through the pad, and therefore their crate.

 

2. Supplements

 

Even if indestructible crate pads aren’t the solution to your dog’s separation anxiety issues, there are other tools that you can invest in. You may want to give your dog supplements that will help them calm down while you’re away. Giving your dog a supplement before going to work can do a lot to help their mood. This doesn’t have to be something that will make your dog sleepy or tired. Nor does it need to necessarily be medicinal. Getting a supplement that is organic and natural is possible, especially if you work with your vet. It’s important to get the type of supplement that is strong enough to correspond to your dog’s weight, without any negative side effects — so be selective!

 

3. Cameras

 

In this day and age, it’s easier than ever to keep an eye on your dog while you’re away. Thanks to new and advanced observation systems, you can watch your dog while you’re at work, sometimes even through a live feed. With that being said, there are a lot of different systems on the market, and some are even more interactive. You can potentially talk to your dog, as well as feed them treats. Making this kind of connection to your dog will help ease its anxiety.

 

No matter how you choose to treat your dog’s separation anxiety, don’t give up hope. When you commit to your dog, you commit to it for the rest of its life. Make the effort — you’ll be glad you did.