Puppy separation anxiety is often misunderstood by pet parents. Pet parents often mistake separation anxiety in puppies for destructive behavior. The most common form of puppy anxiety is puppy separation anxiety. Puppies hate separation and as such are likely to show signs of anxiety while you are away from them. This does not only occur when you leave the home but can also occur even if you walk into the next room.
Signs and Symptoms
Puppies who suffer from puppy separation anxiety are likely to soil the house, chew any available objects and bark excessively. This can be extremely frustrating to the pet parent. It is important to understand your puppy is not acting like this to spite you. Puppies are simply acting out their frustration.
Puppy Anxiety Treatment
Exercise is an excellent method to prevent or reduce separation anxiety in puppies. Restless puppies often exhibit more signs and symptoms of anxiety. Taking your puppy for walks and playing with your puppy will assist in reducing the unwanted behaviors.
You should never correct your puppy after the action has been done. For example, if you leave the home and your puppy has destroyed the home while you were gone, you should not correct your puppy at that moment. Your puppy will not understand the connection between the two. Catching your puppy in the act is crucial to prevention.
Avoiding a huge hello or goodbye will assist with your puppy’s separation anxiety. If you make leaving or arriving a big deal, your puppy is more likely to become stressed and act out on the stress. You can also leave a radio playing to reduce separation anxiety in puppies.
If you have any questions regarding puppy separation anxiety, our in-house pet behaviorist is available to assist you.
Amber Johnson, Animal Behaviorist
Miss Amber Johnson has many years of experience with pets and is a licensed cat and dog nutrition and behavior specialist. She currently collaborates with PetPremium where she counsels clients in pet behavior and nutrition. The statements made in this article are the personal opinions of Miss Amber Johnson and based on independent experiences and could be different from the opinions of PetPremium Pet health Insurance or any other pet health insurance provider.