When your dog doesn't seem interested in eating his food, do you know what to do? When your dog vomits often, could there be something serious wrong with him? If he struggles to get up the stairs, does he need to see a vet? Having never owned an older dog, I knew nothing about the things that can begin to go wrong when dogs age. I adopted this guy when my neighbor moved into a nursing home and had to learn a lot about how to care for an older dog. My blog is filled with the many things that I have learned over the last year through the help of my vet.
caring for an elderly dog
Separation Anxiety Got Your Doggy Feeling Blue? 4 Ways To Treat Separation Anxiety
Lucy Grant
Dogs can suffer from separation anxiety too. When you leave, they may act out by becoming destructive or by whining the entire time you're gone. Luckily, there are ways to treat the anxiety your dog experiences when you leave. Here are just a few of the ways you can help your pet deal with separation anxiety.
Get Them Tired
If you're dog acts out each time you leave, take a look at your dog's activity level prior to your departure. If it is usually sleeping, it might be experiencing boredom while you're gone, especially if it wakes up right before you leave.
Try taking your dog outside for some vigorous exercise before you leave. The activity will allow it to relieve itself and work off excess energy. That way, it will be able to sleep while you're gone.
Give Them More Space
If you crate your dog while you're away, the space may be too small. Some dogs can become claustrophobic when confined to a small space for too long. When that happens, they may try to escape at any cost. Invest in a crate that allows your pet to move around in comfortably.
If you know your pet won't tear things up, try leaving them in a bathroom or laundry room while you're gone. Your pet will have more space while still being kept away from the main house.
Teach Them a Safe Word
If your dog acts out each time you leave, it might be afraid that you're not coming back. Try teaching it a safe word – one that means you'll be back. Use the word each time you leave, so that your dog becomes familiar with the use. Pretty soon, your dog will understand that when you use the safe word, you're leaving but you'll be back.
Enroll Them in Day Care
If you've tried everything but your dog is still having panic attacks each time you leave, you might want to consider doggy day care. This type of care will allow your dog to be around people while you're gone. Dog day care facilities will provide your pet with a safe environment while you're gone. Some of the benefits of a dog care facility include:
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Safety for your pet
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Peace of mind for you
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Pet won't damage your home while you're away
You don't want your dog to suffer anxiety each time you leave. The suggestions listed above will help you calm your pet while you're away.
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