One of the most common problems in canine behavior is separation anxiety. Not only does it entail annoyances for us such as the destruction of objects by our pet or continuous barking, (which in turn can lead to conflicts with neighbors), but it is also harmful to our dog. We give you some basic keys to end it.
First of all, it is essential that the dog performs the necessary daily exercise to balance its energy level. Give a long walk Together with him before leaving home will be of great help to keep him in a serene and calm state during our absence. Some people prefer to substitute a walk for a playtime; This only aggravates the problem, as we encourage their nervousness and anxiety. Let's save the games for more appropriate times.
A very common mistake is to say goodbye to our pet when we leave and greet him effusively when we return home. The best thing is that we stand firm and do not pay too much attention to it; We must act naturally, as if nothing happened. It is also important that when we arrive let's wait for it to calm down to greet you.
One of the best resources we can use is to leave the animal alone progressively. We can start for five or ten minutes and then increase the time little by little, until he can be alone for hours without problems. In this way you will assimilate that we always end up coming back to your side.
It is also important that we accustom him to certain habits that tend to make you nervous. For example, our dog may suffer anxiety about certain gestures that we perform before leaving the house, such as putting on shoes or taking the keys. To avoid this we can make them accept these customs naturally, playing with the keys frequently, putting on shoes to be around the house, putting on our coat, etc. This way you will stop associating them with loneliness.
It is also advisable to leave the dog a toy to entertain yourself during your lonely hours. There are special toys for this, unbreakable and with the possibility of accumulating food so that the animal can have fun trying to reach it. However, it is very important that we observe his behavior before the accessory, making sure that it does not break it or be dangerous for him. Another trick is to leave the radio or television on so that you feel accompanied.
Sometimes all these tips are not enough to end the problem. In this case, it is best that we seek the help of a professional trainer.