Puppy Separation Anxiety

Dogs are pack animals and puppy separation anxiety is a common problem when a dog is left alone. Separation anxiety in dogs can cause your pet to damage and soil the house, destroy your most treasured possessions and general havoc in the home and the family relationships.

Don’t give for granted that the separation anxiety disorder will subside with the coming of age of your puppy. Your beloved pet might just merrily carry on with his redecoration hobby for all his long and happy life while you have to pay the bills of his expensive pastime.

Whippets, like other dog breeds that are very attached to their human family, may find especially stressful to be left alone and the consequences can ruin the relationship with your dog and other family members.

Detecting the symptoms of canine separation anxiety and adopting simple measures can save your home and sanity.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety

Puppy Separation Anxiety Tips

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Your puppy won’t connect the punishment to the misbehavior and your reprimand will only increase the anxiety level of the situation.

Gradually increase the time you leave the dog alone giving him a chance to get used to the situation without getting stressed.

If during this training you have to leave him alone for hours, confine him in a different part of the house or garden.

Ignore your dog when leaving and upon your return. This requires a good deal of self control especially if your find your home in a mess but understating your leaving and returning is a very important part of the training.

After a few minutes call the dog to you, ask for a simple obedience exercise (like sitting) and calmly praise him.

Crate training your dog will give him confidence and a safe place to go to when he feels stressed.

Confine your whippet in a small, safe area. Leaving the run of the house only increases the anxiety of your pet and the chances of destruction.

Consider also the possibility that your puppy or dog might just become destructive out of boredom.

Exercise your dog before leaving the house, keep him busy while your away with a plastic bottle filled with his portion of kibble.

Enroll your puppy in an obedience training program at home or, even better, in a local puppy class.

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