Separation Anxiety - Helping Your Puppy Cope
Points to Remember
- Some puppies can only be left alone for a few minutes before they panic.
- Your puppy knows that you have left him alone. He doesn’t know when, or if you’ll return.
- Be positive. Recognize your puppy’s fears and always reassure him when you are planning to remain at home.
- Teach your puppy to lie down, sit and stay on command. Obedience is often the key that will help him overcome his separation anxiety.
- When you leave the house for long periods of time, leave the radio or TV playing. Always leave it on the same station. Your puppy will adopt the announcer into his pack and will remain calm when he is alone.
- Your puppy knows when you are going to leave by your body language. Desensitize him by putting your shoes on and taking them off several times; by picking your keys up and laying them down several times and heading for the door and changing your route several times. Your puppy will soon learn to ignore these things and will be calmer when you leave.
- If you try all of these things and nothing works, take your puppy to a professional trainer that specializes in puppy behavior. It won’t take long for him to pin-point the problem.
- As a last resort, ask your veterinarian to prescribe a medication for your puppy that will ease his separation anxiety.
Once you have helped your puppy overcome his separation anxiety, he will be less stressed—carefree and enthusiastic about life in his pack. You and he will form a firm bond that will create a wonderful long-lasting relationship.
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