Do You Feel Guilty Every Time You Leave Your Dog Alone?
A fantastic 76 percent of American pet owners feel guilty over leaving dogs alone, according to a American Animal Hospitals Organisation report. Not just that, the report also says that workers can be too worried about their dog home alone to entirely concentrate on the job, which is not good news for business.
In some offices the solution has been to allow dogs to commute to work alongside their owners and the report goes on to say that these staff put out their best performance with pets by their side. Sadly , as attractive as that option may appear, very few office employees are probably going to be given that privilege; while for many others it simply wouldn't be practical.
Why is it so Hard to Leave Dogs Home Alone?
Most of us are very attached to our dogs, so it is simple to see why we would not want to leave them home alone, but all that guilt highlights something more than simply missing them. Guilt comes from feeling like we are getting it wrong, so do most dog owners essentially feel that it's a bad thing to leave a dog alone? And are we assuming that our dogs are not happy when we can't be with them?
Dogs are pack animals and automatically understand that they are safer when they're with the rest of the pack, but that doesn't suggest they cannot spend a while alone without getting stressed or concerned.
Problems Caused by Dog Separation Anxiety
Some dog owners have no problems leaving dogs alone for quite lengthy periods and report that they return home to happy and relaxed dogs, while others struggle to leave their dogs for even 10 minutes because their pooch suffers with dog separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety in dogs causes all kinds of behaviour problems from barking and whining non-stop, to chewing everything they can get their teeth around, or pooping and urinating in the house. Some dogs can get very destructive when very worried and their obvious distress can be heart-wrenching when it is time to leave.
The Right Way to Approach Leaving Dogs Alone
If you are going to be away all day, ensure you have provided for your dog's basic wants by giving them access to water and to the outside so they can relieve themselves when necessary. Prepare for neighbors, family or a buddy to come in halfway thru the day to let them outside if at all possible.
If you are worried about what your dog is intending to do all day, it's good to bear in mind that a dog can spend as much as 18 hours a day snoozing. Many dog owners will also leave toys which make their dogs work to get to the treats within it and can keep them busy for long periods.
The best way to leave your dog and to return is to not make a big fuss about it. Pay them no attention in the time leading to your exit and when you return pay them no attention until they relax and leave you alone. This gives them the message that there is nothing significant about your comings and goings and therefore nothing for them to worry about.
How to Remove Dog Separation Anxiety
If your dog is already suffering with separation anxiety, you'll need a good dog anxiety training programme and a bit of patience to get shot of it totally. Often pack leadership is the issue with an anxious dog and you are going to need to ensure your dog knows that you're pack leader and that they can trust you, before they will relax.
Leaving dogs alone is a personal choice and if you do it the right way and know that they are content and relaxed when you're gone, there is no need to have feelings of guilt.
In some offices the solution has been to allow dogs to commute to work alongside their owners and the report goes on to say that these staff put out their best performance with pets by their side. Sadly , as attractive as that option may appear, very few office employees are probably going to be given that privilege; while for many others it simply wouldn't be practical.
Why is it so Hard to Leave Dogs Home Alone?
Most of us are very attached to our dogs, so it is simple to see why we would not want to leave them home alone, but all that guilt highlights something more than simply missing them. Guilt comes from feeling like we are getting it wrong, so do most dog owners essentially feel that it's a bad thing to leave a dog alone? And are we assuming that our dogs are not happy when we can't be with them?
Dogs are pack animals and automatically understand that they are safer when they're with the rest of the pack, but that doesn't suggest they cannot spend a while alone without getting stressed or concerned.
Problems Caused by Dog Separation Anxiety
Some dog owners have no problems leaving dogs alone for quite lengthy periods and report that they return home to happy and relaxed dogs, while others struggle to leave their dogs for even 10 minutes because their pooch suffers with dog separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety in dogs causes all kinds of behaviour problems from barking and whining non-stop, to chewing everything they can get their teeth around, or pooping and urinating in the house. Some dogs can get very destructive when very worried and their obvious distress can be heart-wrenching when it is time to leave.
The Right Way to Approach Leaving Dogs Alone
If you are going to be away all day, ensure you have provided for your dog's basic wants by giving them access to water and to the outside so they can relieve themselves when necessary. Prepare for neighbors, family or a buddy to come in halfway thru the day to let them outside if at all possible.
If you are worried about what your dog is intending to do all day, it's good to bear in mind that a dog can spend as much as 18 hours a day snoozing. Many dog owners will also leave toys which make their dogs work to get to the treats within it and can keep them busy for long periods.
The best way to leave your dog and to return is to not make a big fuss about it. Pay them no attention in the time leading to your exit and when you return pay them no attention until they relax and leave you alone. This gives them the message that there is nothing significant about your comings and goings and therefore nothing for them to worry about.
How to Remove Dog Separation Anxiety
If your dog is already suffering with separation anxiety, you'll need a good dog anxiety training programme and a bit of patience to get shot of it totally. Often pack leadership is the issue with an anxious dog and you are going to need to ensure your dog knows that you're pack leader and that they can trust you, before they will relax.
Leaving dogs alone is a personal choice and if you do it the right way and know that they are content and relaxed when you're gone, there is no need to have feelings of guilt.
About the Author:
About the Author: Venice Marriott faced anxiety problems with her own rescue dog Sherlock and is now owner of a Dog Anxiety website, where you can get free video training on dog anxiety, and more information on leaving dogs alone when you visit the site.
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