Posts Tagged ‘separation anxiety’
Separation anxiety in dogs – destructive when home alone
Some dogs are miserable with anxiety, panicking when their people leave home without them. This is hard for everybody including neighbors. Some dogs bark, tremble, pee, poop, and tear down…
Read MoreCanine separation anxiety
Nearly all dogs with separation anxiety are wonderful – except when they’re home alone. They do not rip up the carpet, dig holes in a wall, tear down the blinds, or even jump through windows to “punish” their people. They’re overwhelmed, panicked, frantically trying to escape. I’ve treated the broken nails, cut lips, and fractured teeth. It’s very sad.
Read MoreSeparation anxiety needs modern treatment for success
A recently published study established what veterinary behaviorists have long understood about separation anxiety: physical discomfort is often a major factor.
Read MoreSeparation Anxiety – Non Drug Treatment
Dogs with separation anxiety have a serious problem. I get it. I’ve come home to the sound of my dog Hazel barking and whining. As soon as I opened the door she’d greet me with wild intensity. She was more than just happy to see me; she acted like she’d been saved.
Read MoreSeparation anxiety – meds make a difference
If the pacing, panting, barking/howling, and damage of separation anxiety keeps repeating, it will continue to worsen. People get frustrated. They’ve tried everything – except the right medication. Some worry about drug safety as their dog’s suffering reaches new depths. There’s no need for that.
Read MoreSeparation anxiety – Destruction & Panic when Alone
So what can you do if the dog who’s stolen your heart damages your house while you’re away-often? If you have a dog like this you may feel desperate. Dogs with separation anxiety can actually learn to look forward to their alone time because that will be their chance to engage their innate survival instincts.
Read MoreYour dog’s separation anxiety can improve
Those videos of your sweet dog, home alone and suffering with separation anxiety, have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that it is he who has desecrated your house and not some lurking poltergeist. Step #1: lose the crate.
Read MoreMonster in the Yard – Separation Anxiety & Urine Soiling
The anxiety and blood pressure spikes of white coat syndrome aren’t fun for us. Most pets have the same problem.
Read MoreTreating separation anxiety in dogs
You drag yourself through the door, after a long day, and in your face is the wreckage inflicted by your desperate and repentant dog. How do you feel? Angry, sad, guilty? Why is this happening? Where did you go wrong?
Read MoreSeparation anxiety in a dog home alone?
If you think your dog has separation anxiety you need to know if that’s what’s really happening or only a guess.
Read MoreSeparation behaviors – lose the crate?
First in a series
Question:
I am trapped in my own home because of my Shih Tzu. He is a wonderful dog, but he goes bonkers when I leave. I have him caged because of his destructive behavior. Now he is sopping wet when I come home, panting his head off, his cage is all wet and his feet are a mess. Please help me, I love him.
Separation anxiety- Sad partings, over joyful reunions
Helping dogs who freak-out when home alone is complicated. Improvement requires lots of changes but do you have to completely ignore as you leave and return?
Read MoreChoosing Lassie
Fourth in a series
Nobody starts out with a totally clean slate. The research is clear: much of our pets’ behavior is genetically prewired, while heavily influenced by life experiences – even in youngsters. The probability of separation anxiety, noise phobia, fear, and aggression are often passed from generation to generation.
Angst as you leave, Overjoyed when you return – Does it Matter for Separation Anxiety?
Helping dogs who freak-out when home alone is complicated. Improvement requires lots of changes but do you have to completely ignore as you leave and return?
Read MoreCat wigged-out when home alone
Question: We are heading to Puerto Vallarta for a two week vacation. We have a sweet 1 year old girl cat. She is extremely bonded with my wife and seems…
Read MoreChasing, snapping at Dad
Aggression toward a moving man Evie was a 5 year old cattle dog when we met. When I met her she was 7 but she’s still a cattle dog. Vicky…
Read MoreFreaked-out when home alone too
Second in a series Despite her struggles, Evie was a fun dog, throwing her toys around and then treating them like puppies. Vicky and Richard were strongly bonded to her.…
Read MoreAggression toward a moving man
First in a series Evie was a 5 year old cattle dog when we met. Now she’s 7 but she’s still a cattle dog. Vicky and Richard adopted her from…
Read MoreClothes Dryer Aggression? Harvey Knew
Fourth in a series Dogs with separation anxiety can freak-out badly if they feel boxed in. With the crate left open and outdoor access through his dog door, Harvey had…
Read MoreSweet Destroyer Poopster
Third in a series Don’t lock him up Bang, bang, ding, dong! Just as Diane walked into the house, finding more of Jasper’s daily carnage, somebody was outside! Fresh scratches…
Read MoreMedia – Barking: Normal Canine Communication
Question: Do you do debarking or bark softening? I have about a 20# sheltie. Dr. Nichol: I would debark a few people (politicians, mostly) but for noisy dogs, there are…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Dog Getting Wiggy Home Alone
You’ve been working from home with your pupster at your feet but it’s time to go back to the office without your loyal companion.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Tearful Partings, Joyous Reunions – Does it Matter for Separation Anxiety?
Helping dogs who freak-out when home alone is complicated. Improvement requires lots of changes but do you have to completely ignore as you leave and return?
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Back to the office-Dogs Panic
Dogs who barely controlled their home-alone angst before COVID, may spiral into destruction, barking, soiling, and escape attempts.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Cats Go Back to Work
COVID19 doesn’t scare our cats but they might get wiggy when we return to work. They thought we were home for good. Finding themselves without us all day could trigger…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Home Alone and Miserable
When dog people return to work some pets will wig-out. Anxious before stay-at-home orders they’ve now become accustomed to our secure presence. Your returning to work may cause a dog…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Puppy crying, barking, chewing
Dogs of any age who struggle with Separation Anxiety are miserable – and so are their people. Incessant barking disturbs neighbors; frantic attempts to escape can damage your home. You…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Painful or Freaked-Out when Alone
Our pets bring us so much joy when they’re active and playful. When these characters are at peace, I am too. But if they have pain or if they struggle…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Yelling Feline Urinators
Cat urine on the rug (yuck), on the sofa (eewww), on your bed (OMG!!!) How about a kitty who howls and yowls when she can’t find you? Beyond the urine…
Read MoreMedia – Crate Nightmare
Separation Anxiety is Not Solved by Confinement Question: My dog is so anxious in his crate. Dr. Nichol: Crates have become popular for keeping dogs out of trouble but confinement…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Separation Anxiety – Non Drug Treatment
Dogs with separation anxiety have a serious problem. I get it. I’ve come home to the sound of my dog Hazel barking and whining. As soon as I opened the…
Read MoreWhy Dogs Are Destructive
It’s always the most loving dogs who damage their homes when left alone, causing their people tremendous angst. How could your smart and strongly-bonded best friend, who worships the ground…
Read MoreSoiling When Your Dog Is Alone
A whole lot can happen in your dog’s life while you’re away. You can manage bathroom etiquette infractions effectively with kindness and empathy. There is no way for a dog…
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