Have you recently picked up a cute new dog, only to bring them and home to find you can't leave them alone without something traumatic happening? Separation anxiety in adopted dogs is understandable.
Imagine being maltreated, exposed to violence, and left behind in such a helpless state- no animal, particularly as affectionate as dogs can escape the trauma brought about by such an unfortunate experience in past times.
As a result, rescued dogs tend to be more problematic than dogs raised by one home since being a pup -for fear of being left behind or for such terrifying things to happen again- every time its newfound master shows signs of leaving the house.
To help a rescued dog cope with the fear of trauma or abandonment, it must be exposed to what arouses that phobia in a slow and consistent behavioral conditioning called desensitization.
Desensitizing a rescued dog can be a challenging feat since the mere thought of a pet dog trembling, salivating, and prickling upon the sight of being left alone is heartbreaking.
Therefore, desensitization necessitates gradual conditioning, which usually begins in a very low level of exposure until maximum tolerance is achieved.
There are various ways to condition and modify a rescued dog's behaviour.
One common way is through the employment of positive distraction.
Foods, other chewable treats, and even music can make a pet dog occupied for at least 20 minutes.
By doing so, your departure will be given less attention, and less anxiety will result.
Also, try to keep leaving your house and coming home as low key as possible.
I highly recommend you crate your dog 20 minutes before you leave, and keep them in the crate 20 minutes after you come back.
Don't give an anxious or overly exited dog any attention.
Giving them attention rewards the bad behaviour! Attention, affection, and time are key elements in dealing with separation anxiety in adopted dogs.
Imagine being maltreated, exposed to violence, and left behind in such a helpless state- no animal, particularly as affectionate as dogs can escape the trauma brought about by such an unfortunate experience in past times.
As a result, rescued dogs tend to be more problematic than dogs raised by one home since being a pup -for fear of being left behind or for such terrifying things to happen again- every time its newfound master shows signs of leaving the house.
To help a rescued dog cope with the fear of trauma or abandonment, it must be exposed to what arouses that phobia in a slow and consistent behavioral conditioning called desensitization.
Desensitizing a rescued dog can be a challenging feat since the mere thought of a pet dog trembling, salivating, and prickling upon the sight of being left alone is heartbreaking.
Therefore, desensitization necessitates gradual conditioning, which usually begins in a very low level of exposure until maximum tolerance is achieved.
There are various ways to condition and modify a rescued dog's behaviour.
One common way is through the employment of positive distraction.
Foods, other chewable treats, and even music can make a pet dog occupied for at least 20 minutes.
By doing so, your departure will be given less attention, and less anxiety will result.
Also, try to keep leaving your house and coming home as low key as possible.
I highly recommend you crate your dog 20 minutes before you leave, and keep them in the crate 20 minutes after you come back.
Don't give an anxious or overly exited dog any attention.
Giving them attention rewards the bad behaviour! Attention, affection, and time are key elements in dealing with separation anxiety in adopted dogs.