How to Help a Dog with Separation Anxiety

Dogs are always companion animals and love to be by their owners’ side. Unfortunately, you cannot be home with them 100% of the time, nor can you take them everywhere with you. Dogs will not enjoy being left alone for long periods, and many may experience severe separation anxiety. Their brains work differently to humans, and often when you leave the house, they assume you’re never coming back. 

Some dogs experience separation anxiety more severely than others, but here are some ways you can help them deal with it. 

1.      Give them lots of exercise 

A well-exercised dog is a happy dog. Go for a walk or play fetch with them in the park before leaving. Exercise is the best cure for anxiety in dogs, so let them run around and get the energy out of their system. If they are tired out, they will relax a lot more and maybe even go to sleep before you leave. 

2.      Treat-release toys

Since you won’t be home to play with them, give your dog something to keep them occupied. Treat-release toys slowly release food as they chew and play with it. It gives them a challenge and something to do to take their mind off the fact that you’re not there. 

3.      Natural anxiety cures

Giving your pet CBD before you leave will help reduce their stress and anxiety immensely. Beyond anxiety-relief, it has a string of other health benefits for your pooch. Some of these include pain-relief and reduction of inflammation, so it’s great if you have an aging dog. You can purchase CBD-infused treats from CeeBeeDoo, which your dog will love, and they come in many flavor varieties. 

4.      Desensitize them to you leaving

Rather than just treating their anxiety, you can take measures to prevent it. Showing your dog that it’s OK when you go and assuring them that you’ll come back will help them cope. It takes commitment and patience to train an anxious dog, but it’s worth it. 

Start small, and by rewarding your dog for staying on the opposite side of the room to you. Then increase the distance until you are in a different room. This step can take days or weeks to master. Perform all the motions that you go through when you leave your house, such as grabbing your keys, putting on your coat and shoes. Then step outside and come back in almost immediately after, rewarding them with a treat. Repeat this process, increasing the time outside each time. The repetition will build trust in your dog that when you leave, you’ll be back. 

5.      Take them to a doggy daycare

If your dog is still having trouble, and their separation anxiety is at an unhealthy level, it might be time to take them to doggy daycare. At daycare, they can socialize with other dogs and get the attention they need to live without fear every day. It’s much better for your pet’s mental well-being, and you won’t need to feel bad about leaving them at home. Even having a pet-sitter come over to the house would be a massive benefit for your beloved pooch.