In ancient times, dogs lived in packs and while that was a survival instinct, that desire for companionship has never abated and dogs truly don’t enjoy being at home alone. While some dogs are relatively content alone, others develop severe anxiety. While this is upsetting, it can be remedied with our expert dog separation anxiety training in West Jordan.
Why Is Your Dog Anxious?
The origins of anxiety in dogs can sometimes be unclear. It’s not uncommon for older dogs to exhibit increased anxiety as they age, potentially due to cognitive changes or declining health. Traumatic events, such as the loss of a family member or previous abuse, can also trigger anxiety. Additionally, changes in a dog’s daily routine might lead to feelings of unease and anxiety.
In our dog training classes in West Jordan, we often encounter rescue dogs displaying signs of anxiety. The transition from a previous home to a new environment can be particularly stressful for these animals, especially if they have a history of neglect or abuse.
Furthermore, health issues can sometimes manifest as anxiety, which is why it’s important to have a veterinarian conduct a thorough examination, including physical assessments and bloodwork, to eliminate any underlying medical causes. If it is a physical cause, dog training in West Jordan can still help further mitigate anxiety so if you “fix” the health issues, but the anxiety persists, give us a call.
9 Common Symptoms Of Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety can cause a variety of distressing behaviors in dogs, including the following.
- Excessive Greetings: Dogs suffering from separation anxiety might display unusually exuberant greeting behaviors upon their owner’s return, which can be more intense than typical joyful greetings.
- Pacing: Affected dogs may exhibit repetitive movement patterns, such as walking in circles or pacing back and forth along a specific path, indicating stress.
- Destructive Actions: Dogs may chew destructively on furniture, door frames, or attempt to break out of enclosures, targeting escape routes like doors and windows.
- Urination and Defecation: Despite being house-trained, a dog with separation anxiety may have accidents indoors when separated from their owners.
- Excessive Vocalization: Persistent barking, howling, or whining when alone is a common symptom, reflecting their anxiety and distress.
- Escape Attempts: In their panic, dogs may try to escape from the area where they’re confined, which can lead to injuries such as broken teeth or nails.
- Abnormal Eating Habits: Some dogs might change their eating patterns, either losing their appetite when alone or, conversely, eating excessively.
- Coprophagia: In severe cases, a dog may defecate and then consume their feces, which is a distressing behavior linked to anxiety.
- Additional Signs of Stress: Excessive drooling, panting, or salivation when left alone are physical signs of the anxiety and stress the dog is experiencing.
How Training Can Help
Dog behavior training in West Jordan offers various techniques to alleviate and manage separation anxiety in dogs, enhancing their ability to cope with being alone. Here are several ways dog separation anxiety training in West Jordan can help:
- Gradual Desensitization: This method involves slowly getting the dog used to being alone by incrementally increasing the time they spend by themselves. Starting with very short durations and gradually extending them can help the dog adjust without overwhelming them.
- Crate Training: Properly introducing a crate as a safe and comfortable space can make a significant difference. A crate can serve as a secure haven for a dog, mirroring the safety of a den and providing a sanctuary during times of solitude.
- Routine Establishment: Consistency and predictability in daily activities can soothe a dog’s anxiety. Training that establishes a fixed routine around times of departure can help a dog learn when to expect being alone, easing their stress.
- Positive Reinforcement & Confidence Building: Training sessions that reward positive behavior can boost a dog’s self-assurance. By associating solitude with positive experiences like treats or favorite toys, the dog’s overall anxiety about being alone can decrease.
- Command Training: Teaching basic commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘come’ gives a dog a sense of structure and distraction during anxious moments. Commands can redirect their focus from anxiety to tasks, helping them manage their emotional state.
- Teaching Relaxation on Command: Training a dog to associate a specific spot or cue with relaxation and calm behavior can be beneficial. Encouraging the dog to retreat to a bed or mat on command allows them to calm down autonomously.
- Counterconditioning: Changing a dog’s negative perceptions about being alone to positive ones by associating departures with enjoyable activities or items can transform their reaction to solitude.
Implementing these dog training strategies can help reduce the symptoms of separation anxiety, ensuring dogs are more comfortable and less stressed when they need to be alone.
Tip Top K9: Expert Training & Anxiety Reduction
We know how difficult it is for families to watch their dog struggle with anxiety, but we can help! We offer in-home dog training and dog boot camp in West Jordan. Both options can address separation anxiety as well as any other behavioral issues you might be experiencing with your dog.
When it comes to dog separation anxiety training, using an in-home dog trainer in West Jordan can be a good option to consider. However, our doggy boot camp in West Jordan, which is a board-and-train option, also can work miracles with anxious dogs as well as with aggressive dogs.
It might seem odd to consider sending your dog away for several weeks to live with a professional trainer, but removing the distractions of home can help resolve issues more quickly than with a weekly home visit from a trainer.
When we visit your home for your first lesson, we will thoroughly evaluate your dog and then determine if boot camp or at-home lessons will be the more effective option. We charge just $1 for this first lesson and after that visit, your dog trainer will create a custom training plan that meets all of your dog’s behavioral needs.
Throughout the last 15 years, we’ve trained thousands of dogs and earned a 99.3% success rate. This includes training dogs with severe behavioral issues, including dogs that were medicated heavily and dogs that were close to being rehomed due to their behavior. We guarantee our training, and we are committed to working for as long as it takes to reduce anxiety and improve behavior.
Contact Us At Any Time!
At Tip Top K9, we love dogs, and we love helping them be the best companions they can be! If you need dog separation anxiety training in West Jordan, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can help your dog live a happier, less stressful life. To get started, just click on the Schedule Lesson tab on our homepage or give us a call at (833) 484-7867.