What Is Dog Separation Anxiety and How Do I Fix It?

Dogs can sense whether their handlers are leaving or not leaving the house. They usually bark, whine and would watch from the window as their owners are leaving. This kind of behavior is often disregarded by dog owners but you need to be aware that this is a serious matter. You should not ignore this kind of separation anxiety because it may cause a threat to your dog's health. 

Here are some tips to help with separation anxiety.

THE DETAILS

• Stress and behavioral problems can easily be noticed in dogs with separation anxiety. Dogs will bark and whine when they are left alone or when they notice that you are making preparations to leave.

• Dogs frequently follow their owners as a sign of separation anxiety. One of the common indications to determine that your dog has this kind of illness is when he frequently follows you in every corner of the house. They want you in their sight!

• A dog with this illness will react quickly when you leave. It doesn't matter whether you're gone for a few minutes or hours. This anxiety in your dog takes place immediately when they sense you are leaving.

• There isn't a definite cause for this kind of anxiety. Dogs may come up with this condition due to many reasons. It may be past experiences at a different period in their lives.

• There are different indications of this illness in different kinds of dogs. Some dogs will whine or bark excessively, destroy things at home, scratch at doors, walls, or floors, immoderate salivation, or strives to escape from a crate or a room.

• Think about the scenes that can arouse the illness. Be prepared to make immediate changes in your habits. When you start with a new dog you need to learn what it expects. You can train the dog, but at times, it may be easier to change the way you do things.

• Don't make a bad situation worse. If your dog suffers from mild separation anxiety, teach him to build his confidence so that he will understand that your absence is not a big deal. To do this, ignore him for few minutes before petting him again. Sometimes it is the simple things that make big differences.

• Give him something to keep him busy before you leave. Being busy may make the separation easier for your pet. Give him something like toys to play with, but make sure it won't cause him any harm.

• Make him a comfortable shelter. Turn his shelter into a comfort zone with plenty of toys to avoid boredom. A piece of clothing with your scent on it works to help your pet relax.

• Crating a dog with this illness is not a good idea. It can make the situation even worse. Dogs with separation anxiety might hurt themselves trying to get out a crate. They may also urinate and defecate.

• Avoid punishments. They have already suffered emotionally so punishing them is too much. Dogs with symptoms of this illness must be treated with love, patience, and understanding.

• Seek veterinary care if your dog's separation anxiety becomes severe. Professional help is a must when the condition becomes severe. You want your pet to be happy so you can enjoy them for many years.

BOTTOM LINE

All indoor pets become a little distressed when their handlers leave the house. But most understand that it won't be too long before their owner returns. But dogs with separation anxiety fear that their owner is never coming back so they become mentally and emotionally stressed and may even try to escape the house. Sometimes it is annoying but keeping the fact that it is our responsibility to provide for our pet. If we don't treat the condition it will get worse. If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, take action as soon as possible!

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Is-Dog-Separation-Anxiety-and-How-Do-I-Fix-It?&id=9430573

Should Your Child Walk Your New Puppy?

I don't know about you but one of the reasons I got a dog was to enjoy nice, leisurely walks. I would see people walking in the evening, strolling along with their dog walking nicely beside their human.

I've had dogs for the past 14 years. I still see people strolling along after dinner with their dogs. I also see some people being dragged along; their dogs barking, lunging, jumping and behaving in a less than desirable manner.

I live in a neighborhood with lots of children of all ages and lots of new puppies. I love the idea of children growing up with a family pet and of children learning the responsibility of caring for an animal.

What I don't love is seeing young children with the family pet on a leash and no adult supervising the interaction. Young puppies are very impressionable when you first get them. They are always making associations - whether good or bad.

Imagine this scenario:

3 or 4 young children outside with a new puppy on a flat collar and a short leash. The puppy is doing what puppies do - pull, chew, dig, jump, bark, get over aroused.

Children, excited to have a puppy, are also aroused - yelling, shouting, screaming in high pitched voices, jumping around. The puppy is getting more and more bitey and out of control. The children don't have the skills to calm themselves, let alone the puppy.

The children are jerking the puppy's leash, along with screaming and jumping around because they don't know what to do as the puppy keeps pulling and barking at people and dogs passing by.

Think of what the puppy is learning. He is making lots of associations which will impact what he experiences for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, they are not the associations you want him to make. See people = get jerked on the leash. See dogs = get jerked on the leash.

It's no different than your first experiences of anything novel with your teacher - whether piano, dance, baseball, math, you name it. A good teacher will make sure the experience is fun and ensure you want to continue. If you have a bad teacher, you never want to play the piano or continue with dance classes again.

A puppy who is jerked around on leash when he sees people, bicycles, children, cars, or other dogs, for example, will have negative associations with those things.

If you would like a well-adjusted adult dog, the first experiences a new puppy needs are positive ones. See children = get chicken! See cars = chicken!

In my opinion, any untrained puppy needs to be walked by someone who can guide both child and puppy during this very important learning period.

Puppyhood and adolescence have different challenges. Both phases need the guidance of an adult so unwanted behavior does not develop and desired behavior is reinforced.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Should-Your-Child-Walk-Your-New-Puppy?&id=9409337

Why Does My Dog Whine And Bark To Wake Me?

This really is not a hard question. In fact I would be willing to bet that you already know some of the answers. Maybe not all of the answers but some of them.

Your dog whines, barks, shakes his body, scratches at you, licks you and many more things for one reason.

To Wake You Up!

Yes, every dog has a clock built into its head. This clock tells your dog when it is time to get up, go to bed and just about everything else that a dog does. So your dog is probably saying, time to get up now.

I don't know about you but certain times of the year it gets lighter earlier and I seem to wake up when light starts coming into the room, The same thing is happening to your dog. So if you feel that your pet gets up earlier in the spring that is the reason why.

When I wake up I am always hungry and I bet your dog is also. That is another reason your dog is trying to get you up and busy. He wants his morning meal and he will do whatever it takes to get your attention.

Here is another reason your dog wants you up in the morning. The dog has been holding its bodily functions all night and just like it is for us when we are sleeping it isn't a problem. However when we wake up we usually need to go to the bathroom and so does your dog. This is a great reason to get up before your dog has an accident in the house or in its crate.

Believe me when I tell you that I realize that it can be a real pain in the rear having to get up before you really want to every morning. It would really be nice to be able to sleep in once in a while. However I have been getting up earlier than I want for years but you know what, it is okay. I feel that because of all the pleasure my dog brings to me I can do this little thing for my dog.

Now if you really don't want your dog waking you then you should have your dog gated or crated in another part of the house to keep the dog from waking you. Everybody has a different a lifestyle and different things that they want for their relationship with their dog. Do what it takes for you and your dog to be happy.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Does-My-Dog-Whine-And-Bark-To-Wake-Me?&id=8518184

Small Dogs: Pros and Cons

You look into the cherishable eyes of a Chihuahua or fall in love with the paltry panting of a Pomeranian. But have you actually considered exactly what it takes to have a small, yappy puppy? It's not all cuddles and precious looks. Of course, even with all the detriments that come with small-breed dogs, one of them may make the perfect pet for you. Here we have a bit of a chat about the pros and cons of owning petite pups.

First of all, small dogs are, of course, petite. They weigh less. You can pick them up, put them in your purse, have them come on an airplane with you, and you can cuddle with them in your bed without it taking up all the space from your significant other. They don't eat much compared to some of the bigger breeds, are easier to groom and care for, and are mostly cheaper when it comes time to take them to the vet. For instance, it costs less to spay or neuter a small dog than it does a large one. Dogs can be lovely bite-sized additions to any family unit.

If you live in an urban neighborhood, a small pet might be your best bet. People who live in apartments or houses with not much of a back or front lawn may do well to adopt a pup who doesn't need that much free time outside. You can also take the little doggies out with you into the city, where many big dogs may not be allowed: on the bus, in a restaurant, or even under your arm when you're shopping. Most small dog types outlive their more gargantuan relatives. Many small-dog breeds live upwards of 13 to 16 years, depending on the breed and from dog to dog. All in all, small dogs are cute and loving in a manner that other, bigger dogs just cannot match.

Of course, there's the other side of the coin, as well. Little dogs tend to yip and bark more. This can cause problems with neighbors and, while you may be able to teach your pup to be quiet, they tend to go right back to barking when you're not around. and can get into more trouble when it comes to sneaking out of their designated areas. It may feel odd to own a pet that, were you to step on it, you would kill it. Even though your pet may be small, it is not generally aware of that fact, and may get you into trouble by portraying boldness even in the face of certain death (e.g. other, bigger dogs). You may have to tug your little guy aside when big dogs come, lest they start a fight they will in no way win. You know what that means, right? That's right. No unleashed walks in public.

There's also the case of what many owners know as "Small Dog Syndrome". Because your pet is so small, it will be natural to coddle it. Some owners even treat the small animals like little children, resisting the notion of scolding the pups if they do something wrong. However, the dog needs to know you are in charge and it must abide by your rules. If you have a dog, even a small one, make sure that it knows you're the boss, or it may begin to exhibit signs of this symptom: it will growl if you approach its food or try to move it when it doesn't want to be moved, and may even snap and bite at the hand that feeds it.

But you love small dogs, so you're willing to make the sacrifice. Well, you may find them a bit difficult to housetrain. They are notorious for having "accidents" in the house (or in your purse, if you're prone to putting them there). Dog training of all types can be difficult for your poor petite pup, as they just don't have it in them to learn.

Make sure to consider both sides of the story before adopting your small pup. They can be rewarding pets to people who live in urban areas, but you must be prepared to be a proper puppy parent when teaching and disciplining them. You will find them all the more loving for your effort.