Although all dogs prefer the constant company of their humans, certain canines exhibit severe reactions to their owners’ absence. This situation is troubling for both the pets and their owners. However, our dog separation anxiety training in Tampa is designed to alleviate the stress and mitigate the problematic behaviors that stem from it.
Why Is My Dog Anxious?
While any dog can exhibit signs of separation anxiety, it’s often rescue dogs that develop this issue due to the instability in their past as well as dogs that may have experienced a traumatic event. It can help to determine the causes behind anxiety before we begin dog training in Tampa, and the following items are just a few of the reasons why dogs might develop separation anxiety.
- Distressing & Traumatic Experiences: Undergoing stressful situations, like getting lost or enduring a stay in a shelter, can be harrowing for dogs, potentially leading to separation anxiety. Dogs that have gone through several rehomings or extended periods in shelters are also prone to developing such issues.
- Early Weaning Issues: Puppies weaned prematurely from their mothers and littermates tend to be at a higher risk for separation anxiety.
- Routine Changes: Being creatures of routine, dogs can experience separation anxiety following significant alterations in their living conditions or daily schedules, such as a household member’s departure, relocating homes, or a shift in the owner’s work routine. Dogs accustomed to continuous human interaction who suddenly face prolonged periods of solitude are at risk for developing separation anxiety.
- Significant Personal Loss: The loss or significant absence (due to death, relocation, etc.) of a key figure in a dog’s life can precipitate separation anxiety, particularly if that individual was the dog’s main caregiver or close companion.
- Socialization-Related Issues: The lack of adequate socialization or training to handle solitude can lead dogs to show symptoms of separation anxiety. During dog separation anxiety in Tampa, we can look for ways to make your dog feel comfortable and safe while you are away and teach them to self-soothe as much as possible.
- Instinctual Sensitivity: Certain dog breeds may naturally be more susceptible to anxiety-related behaviors, including separation anxiety. We have experience with more than 100 dog breeds, giving us deep insights into the varied temperaments across breeds.
- Excessive Dependence: Dogs that have not learned to enjoy independence or those that have been encouraged to display needy behaviors may suffer from separation anxiety.
- Health-Related Anxiety: In some instances, separation anxiety may stem from an underlying health condition. Discomfort or illness can heighten a dog’s anxiety levels, especially when left alone. In such scenarios, addressing the health issue directly may alleviate the need for specific training to manage anxiety.
- The Aging Process: Akin to health-related anxiety, senior dogs are susceptible to separation anxiety, which can be linked to the cognitive decline or confusion that comes with advancing age.
8 Common Signs Of Dog Anxiety
Separation anxiety manifests in dogs through various distress signals and behavioral changes when they are apart from their owner or main caregiver. The severity and type of symptoms can differ, yet here are several typical indicators:
- Intense Greetings: An overly exuberant welcome upon the owner’s return can be a sign of separation anxiety, surpassing typical greeting behaviors in intensity. In general, if your dog jumps or barks excessively when you come home (or does this with guests), we can address this as part of general dog behavior training in Tampa.
- General Destructive Behavior: Anxiety-ridden dogs might gnaw on furniture, doors, or window frames, excavate around entryways or windows, or dismantle belongings. Such actions typically take place soon after the departure of the owner.
- Persistent Barking: A hallmark of separation anxiety is continuous barking, howling, or whimpering in the owner’s absence, distinct in persistence and sound from other types of barking.
- Pacing: A dog suffering from separation anxiety may exhibit compulsive pacing in a specific pattern when left alone.
- Inappropriate Elimination: Even house-trained canines might have accidents indoors when their owner is away, indicating a lapse in their usual bathroom discipline. Addressing this issue may involve reinforcing potty training during sessions or considering crate training for added security and comfort in the owner’s absence. A more severe symptom includes defecating and consuming their feces, which is known as coprophagia.
- Attempts to Escape: Dogs trying to break free from confinement while alone could indicate anxiety, and, of course, if they do escape, this could lead to serious injury or even death, so we not only will help reduce anxiety but also provide you with recommendations to better secure your home and property.
- Eating Disruption: Dogs with separation anxiety might skip meals or ignore snacks when left alone, showing disinterest in food without their owner around. Excessive drooling, salivating, or panting can signal a dog’s heightened stress and anxiety.
- Over-Dependence: An increase in clingy behavior, with the dog shadowing their owner around the house and showing signs of distress when the owner is about to leave.
Training Can Reduce Anxiety
Effective dog training classes in Tampa offer a solution for managing separation anxiety in dogs, teaching them to remain calm and secure even when their owners are away. While there’s a plethora of advice and videos available online, dealing with separation anxiety typically requires the expertise of a professional dog behaviorist who can evaluate both your pet and your household’s dynamics.
Every dog is distinct, with unique responses to anxiety. That’s where Tip Top K9 steps in. A professional dog trainer will visit your home to understand the challenges you’re facing, observe your dog’s behavior firsthand, and tailor a training regimen specifically designed to combat separation anxiety and any other behavioral issues that may be present.
We provide a range of training options, including personalized in-home sessions or our immersive dog boot camp in Tampa. The latter involves your dog staying with a trainer 24/7 for a concentrated period, ideal for addressing more severe behavioral challenges. We’ll guide you in selecting the training program that promises the most positive outcome for both your pet and your family, whether it’s an in-home dog trainer in Tampa or doggy boot camp in Tampa.
Beyond separation anxiety, we’re equipped to tackle a variety of behavioral problems. Whether your dog is prone to jumping on guests, ignoring recall commands, or pulling on the leash, our intensive dog training in Tampa offers the key to correcting these behaviors effectively. Our approach includes coaching for dog owners as well, ensuring you have the tools to maintain and reinforce positive behaviors after the initial training period.
Training with us extends beyond the basics. Most of our packages offer access to ongoing group classes, providing an excellent opportunity for your dog to maintain their manners, expend energy, and enjoy socializing with other dogs.
Get Started With Tip Top K9
If you are ready to book dog separation anxiety training in Tampa, you can give us a call at any time or just click on the Schedule Lesson tab on our homepage. Your first lesson costs just $1, and after this session, one of our expert trainers will develop a training plan to address anxiety and any other issues you are facing. In addition to serving clients in the Tampa area, we serve Lutz, Odessa, Carrollwood, Northdale and Citrus Park.