Separation Anxiety in Dogs:

They Can Have Abandonment Issues & Trauma From Separation Anxiety, Too!

Much like us, dogs are social creatures. In the wild, they naturally exist in family groups. Now, did you know today’s domesticated dogs have evolved to coexist with humans over the course of thousands of years?

That means most dogs would happily choose to spend the majority of their lives in our company. Sure, some dogs prefer the company of their own kind, but one thing’s for sure: being alone doesn’t come naturally for most dogs.

Though we would never recommend leaving dogs alone for too long, if they get used to being left for short periods of time while young, they grow up to be much more comfortable in their own company when left on their own for a little while. More here: Canine Cabin Fever: 5 Ways to Combat Dog Anxiety

As much as you want to, you can’t spend every minute with your furry friend. Life’s obligations such as going to work mean you have to leave them at some point.

Thankfully, we have some advice to help your pet get used to your departure.

Why Are Some Dogs Prone to Separation Anxiety?

There is a plethora of reasons for why your dog may develop problems when home alone – here are some of the most common:

• Your beloved pup has rarely been left alone in the home or separated from a particular person.
• An animal companion dies: typically, this would be another dog who shared a close bond with the dog who is left behind, but strong bonds can exist with cats or even other people.
• Boredom: Usually this affects young dogs with a lot of energy, who struggle when left to their own devices. Being left alone for too long means a lack of exercise – and these dogs may expend their excess energy on activities like chewing table legs or rummaging through the garbage.
• Dogs in rescue or dogs that have been rehomed several times can have abandonment anxiety, especially in the first few weeks of entering a new house.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

If your beloved pup is anxious about being left at home alone, you may experience the following behaviors:

• Your dog becomes distressed immediately upon your departure. The first 15 minutes are particularly bad, during which time your dog becomes extremely anxious. They might even try to follow you as you leave, scratching at doors, chewing at doorframes, or perhaps jumping up at the windowpane to look for a way out. They might even bark, whine or howl to persuade you to come back for them.
• At times, your dog might chew on something random. But on closer inspection, it appears that they’re chewing an item you have recently touched that still carries your scent.
• Upon your return, your pup may appear absolutely elated and excitable.
• When you are home, your dog will follow you wherever you go to confirm you’re still around. They may begin to display anxious behaviors when they see you preparing to leave the house again.

Tips and Tricks to Help your Puppy or Dog Get Used to Being Left Alone

If your pup is young, it’s probably a good idea to teach them to get used to your absence for short periods of time. At some point, you will have to leave your dog at home and if they aren’t used to the idea, they will become very distressed and suffer in your absence. The idea is to teach them that being alone isn’t scary at all!

Stairgates

If you haven’t already considered using stairgates, you’re missing out.

Stair gates are great tools to use for the purpose of training your dog to be alone. They aren’t as “final” as a closed-door as they still allow your dog to see, smell and hear you. They work because they show your dog that a little bit of distance is okay!

Utilize Your Scent

Placing an item of clothing you’ve worn recently in your dog’s bed or deb may increase their sense of security while you’re away. Plus, they can remind the dog that you will eventually come back, particularly if they see you taking the clothes in and out of their bed.

CBD Oil

Were you aware that CBD Oil for dogs can help with alleviating your dog’s separation anxiety?

It’s true! If your pup exhibits symptoms like destructively chewing furniture, digging and scratching at doors and windows, or whining when you leave the house – it’s their way of saying he or she is distressed when you’re away. While you might think this is just a sweet sentiment, the emotional dysregulation this causes can make your pet very uncomfortable. Luckily, CBD promotes soothing feelings in your pet, making your departure much more manageable for them, and giving you peace of mind.

When you buy our products, you can rest assured that not only are the products good for your dog, but they are also entirely legal, highly regulated, and safe. Each bottle has been lab-tested against stringent standards and regulations. This ensures that unlike other CBD products out there on the market, ours is free of pesticides, microbial bacteria, or heavy metals – all of which can harm your pet.

Our high-quality CBD has been organically cultivated to give you only exceptional levels of purity and quality. When you buy our products, your dog is only getting the most superior standard of CBD Oil available on the market today. We know your pet means the world to you, and as our loyal customers, they mean the world to us too.

Finally…

If you need to leave your dog for several hours of the day, make sure you follow our recommended training regimen above!

You’ll need to make sure they have been well exercised too. For some dogs, a small meal may promote feelings of relaxation and sleepiness. And when you pair this meal with our CBD Oil, the result is a satisfied and happy pup you won’t have to worry about! More reading: 5 Signs of Stress in Dogs & How to Recognize Your Dog’s Stress