Separation Anxiety Tactics for 6 Dog Breeds
Separation anxiety is something
that every dog owner will likely have to go through at some point. And while it doesn't breed specific, there are some breeds that seem to be more prone to
suffering from separation anxiety according to recent studies. Just as some
breeds can be more likely to have stubborn temperaments or develop ailments
like hip dysplasia, some seem to be prone to developing worse separation
anxiety than others.
What Is Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety in dogs is
basically an extreme version of missing you and it is often accompanied by
destructive behaviors like chewing, urinating in the house, or even escape
tactics like trying to break the door down or bolting out the yard through a
minuscule hole in the fence. The exact cause of separation anxiety in dogs
hasn’t been pinpointed, but if your dog is among the breeds that are very
people-orientated or he is a rescue pup that has been through abandonment, then
it makes sense that he will be anxious when you are away from him as,
ultimately, how will he know when you are coming back?
If you are considering adopting a
puppy or you have a particular breed in mind that you want to add to your
family, then there are separation anxiety tactics for dogs that you need to
adhere to. There are six breeds, in particular, that are prone to separation
anxiety and fear, as well as stress, and require mental stimulation too, or it
could have behavioral issues, such as destructive behavior or similar behavior
modification. Failing to plan is planning to fail, so make sure that you are
fully prepared to deal with separation anxiety before you bring a new pet into
the family.
Labradors
Many dog owners all around the
world hail Labradors as the best family pet. Their temperaments are usually
docile and they are known for their strong familial bonds, especially with
children. Due to the fact that they love nothing more than to be at their
human’s side, a Labrador can often be prone to separation anxiety. They often
start demonstrating signs of separation anxiety from a young age and due to
their size, as they grow their behavior can become destructive when left alone.
Hungarian Vizsla
This stunning breed of dog was
originally bred for hunting purposes and they form such a strong bond with
their owners that they are known as “Velcro dogs” that are permanently glued to
your side. A Vizsla is a high-energy dog, so daily exercise is an absolute
must, in order to prevent continuous whining and howling and power chewing that
often happens when they are left on their own.
Pitbull Terrier
Pitbull and Staffordshire bull
terriers have unfortunately been given a very unfair reputation as highly
aggressive dogs due to owner exploitation. This is simply not true, as they are
naturally very loving and human orientated and they are prone to severe
separation anxiety when they are forced to be apart from their owners. It is
true that they are powerful dogs and can be destructive when their separation
anxiety causes them to act out, which is why many owners of this breed choose
to crate them when they are left alone.
German Shepherd
When you imagine a strong and
noble German shepherd, you probably wouldn’t think that they would be prone to
anxiety. In fact, they are one of the primary breeds that experiences
separation anxiety due to their loyalty and pack mentality. They often see
their humans as their pack leader (one of the many reasons they are frequently
used as police dogs) and when they are left alone, they feel as if their whole the world is falling apart.
Bichon Frise
These cute little lap dogs
usually, have big separation anxiety problems and issues with behavior as a
result. The Bichon Frise was bred with the sole purpose of being a companion to
its human counterpart, so while they are happy being snuggled up on their
owner’s laps, panic sets in when they are left alone. Fortunately, there is
only so much destruction a little dog can cause, but negative behavior
associated with separation anxiety still need to be dealt with, as they could
cause themselves harm.
Border Collie
This herding dog breed is one of
the most highly regarded working dogs today. They are always up for a challenge, they learn quickly and they never seem to run out of energy. Mental
and physical stimulation is of prime importance when it comes to this specific
breed because, should they get bored, they can become destructive and prone to
separation anxiety. Border Collies see pet owners as their leaders, which is
why many farmers are always seen with their loyal companion at their side and
ironically, this loyalty can also be their biggest shortcoming as they can’t
cope with being left alone for extended periods of time—even short periods at
first can prove to be a challenge.
How to Ease the Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Your Dog
Sometimes, a dog will have a valid reason for extreme bouts of separation anxiety. Either they have been
abandoned in the past, they have been separated from their mother too young, or
they simply just don’t like to be on their own and the dog’s behavior is
apparent. Sometimes, however, there is no explanation for it. Whatever the
cause of your pup’s anxiety, you can take certain steps to minimize their
“pain” by ensuring that they are well socialized, well exercised, and distracted
with treats or toys.
CBD oil is an effective, natural way to minimize symptoms
of anxiety in dogs and many “destructive dog” parents have had excellent
results from it. Crate training can also be a good option for larger breeds, as
can doggy daycare. If you feel that your dog’s separation anxiety tactics are
getting out of hand, then it is time to start exploring your options and our
advice would be to start giving your pup a daily dose of high quality, organic
CBD oil to calm them and get them in the right frame of mind for further
training that you can undertake to prevent anxiety related issues.
This article by Jennifer is
originally published at FOMO Bones.
Author bio: Jennifer is the voice
behind the FOMO Bones blog. She's pretty sure in her past life, she was a Great
Dane. However, we peg her as more of a labrador. Regardless of her breed, she's
a dog enthusiast who has 15 years experience training dogs and owners.