Dog Separation Anxiety - the Symptoms

Dogs AND Humans Are Affected

Dog Separation Anxiety is a growing problem.

It's not just Schnauzers that experience separation anxiety - people do too. About 7% of adults and 4% of children suffer from this disorder.

Typical symptoms for humans are:

• distress at being separated from a loved one such as a parent
• fear of being left alone.

Our canine companions aren't much different.

It's estimated that as many as 10 to 15 per cent suffer from dog separation anxiety (or "seperation anxiety" as it's often mis-spelled).

It is on the increase and recognized by behaviorists as the most common form of stress for dogs.

Schnauzers are no more or less likely to suffer from dog separation anxiety than other breeds of dog. It has more to do with the character of the dog and how you treat him or her than with any specific dog breed.

Distressing

It can be equally distressing for the owner - I know because Max suffers from this. He howls the place down whenever we leave home without him.

Fortunately his problem is only a mild one. If we return after only a short while, he's usually quiet.

Although, if we silently sneak back home and peek in through the letterbox, he’s never asleep. Instead he’s waiting by the door looking and listening for our return.

It can be embarrassing. Whenever I go to the Post Office, I tie him up outside and even though he can see me through the glass door, he still howls his head off!

Luckily the lady behind the counter is a dog lover and, despite the large GUIDE DOGS ONLY sign outside, she lets Max in. He promptly dashes through the door, sits down beside me and stays quiet as a mouse!

Tell-Tale Signs of Dog Separation Anxiety

Does your Schnauzer do any of the following -

• Dig, chew, or scratch at doors and windows trying to escape and join you?

• Howl, bark or cry in an attempt to get you to return? (This is what Max does.)

• Foul inside the house, even though he (or she) is housetrained? (This only occurs when they are left alone).

• Follow you from room to room whenever you're home?

• Restlessness - such as licking his coat excessively, pacing or circling?

• Greet you ecstatically every time you come home – even if you’ve only been out to empty the garbage?

• Get anxious or stressed when you are getting ready to leave the house?

• Dislike spending time outdoors alone?

If so, he or she may suffer from Dog Separation Anxiety.

Fortunately, in many cases, Dog or Puppy Separation Anxiety is curable.

Follow this link below to find some tried and tested techniques which may help your pet overcome his anxiety:

Useful Techniques for Dealing with Dog Separation Anxiety

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