What is Pet Separation Anxiety?

Pet Separation Anxiety can be one of the mosttheir previous owners, leaving them extremely
common problems that dogs develop. Just likeconfused and unable to trust their new-found
humans, it's an anxiety disorder, which is a stateowner (you). Dogs are very sensitive and it could
of intense panic brought on by the dog's isolationtake them a long time to understand that you
separation from its owner(s). Or in plain English, inwon't abandon them too. When dogs are
the morning, when you leave for work, your dogseparated from their mothers and siblings too
goes into a state of nervous anxiety and usuallyearly, they can also exhibit signs of Pet Separation
will intensify very quickly.Anxiety.
Dogs are social - they want lots of company, loveAs an example, puppies from pet stores can be
and social interaction to keep their tails wagging.taken from their mothers and siblings well before
There is no dog that likes to be alone for longthe earliest recommend age (considered to be 8
stretches of time, however there are some dogsweeks) Then, on top of that, they are confined
that do much worse than others: these are theto a small glass kennel in the pet store from any
ones that will suffer the most to separationlength of time between just a few weeks all the
anxiety. Here are some of the contributing causesup to two months. Taking the puppy away from
to the Pet Separation Anxiety:mom and siblings, coupled with lack of exercise
There are particular breeds which are geneticallyand affection while in the pet store, is
predisposed towards insecurity and anxiety. This ispsychologically traumatic for the dog.
extremely important to know and should beSo what is the biggest reason for Pet Separation
considered when deciding which breed you'reAnxiety? Not surprisingly, neglect is the number
most interested in (especially if you have longone cause of Pet separation anxiety for dogs. If
work hours or take a lot of trips that would leaveyou're at work or away from home for longer
your dog alone for long periods of time).periods than you're at home, Separation Anxiety
Most notably, breeds such as Weimaraners,is pretty much inevitable. Your dog needs your
Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, andlove, affection, and attention to stay content and
Airedales fall into this category. It's extremely sadhappy.
to witness a dog that has major separationThere are methods to positively dealing with Pet
anxiety. My neighbor owned a Weimaraner andSeparation Anxiety. It takes lots of love and
the poor dog would wail and cry the entire timepatience both from you and your dog. There are
she was gone during the day. She even triedso many actions that we as owners think is
keeping him in a crate, but his crying could still behelping our dog, but in reality, these actions can be
heard from inside my house.very negative signals for your dog. In the next
Another large proportion of dogs from rescuepart, "How to Cure Pet Separation Anxiety", we
shelters develop Pet Separation Anxiety. Many ofwill go into more detail about what to do and
these 'shelter dogs' have experienced extrememore importantly, what NOT to do.
trauma in their lives - they've been abandoned by