If your pet cries, howls, destroys furniture or chews on things in your house every time you leave her alone, she may be suffering from separation anxiety. Puppy separation anxiety can be a nuisance for pet owners and extremely stressful for pets. Your dog, believing that you have abandoned her, will be distressed until you return.
This distress can manifest in a number of symptoms, but some of the most common include barking, scratching at the door, or chewing furniture and household items.
Some dogs grow out of puppy separation anxiety as they age, but others struggle with it throughout their lives. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can help your pet overcome her anxiety:
- Consider crate-training your pet. Dogs that spend time in crates during the day cannot cause as much damage to your home, and the enclosed space can help the pet feel more secure and calm.
- Work up to long absences. Start by leaving your pet alone for a few minutes at a time, then gradually work up to longer absences. Never leave your pet alone for more than eight hours if you can avoid it.
- Make sure your dog has something to keep her occupied while you’re away, like a chew toy. Having a second dog can also help, but it may make the situation worse.
- Be sure to provide your pet with ample exercise when you are home. Dogs who spend a lot of time in crates during the day need plenty of opportunity to stretch their legs and burn off pent-up energy.
One thing that’s been proven to help combat puppy separation anxiety is music. S
oft classical music with a gentle melody has been shown to reduce a dog’s stress level and create an overall relaxing effect.
When you leave, play some Pupsnap music for your pet. The soothing melody will calm her anxiety, and the noise will help her from feeling so lonely.