Bringing your first puppy home can be an extremely exciting moment for the whole family and while many pet owners assume caring for a pet will be a walk in the park, not many consider separation anxiety and true effects it will have on the family as well as the pet. What’s more, far too many pet owners overlook the subtle signs of separation anxiety and therefore, neglect treatment. If your puppy scratches at the door, barks, whines, or yelps excessively, destroys items in your home or chews on your personal possessions such as shoes and clothing, your pet may be suffering from separation anxiety. Before disregarding this behaviour and boiling it down to the pet is young and untrained, you should consider the following methods that will help your beloved furry friend feel more at ease in their new home.
Stress And Anxiety Remedies
There are several different stress and anxiety remedies on the market that can be purchased from pet stores, although, it is always best to confirm product use with a reliable vet before using them as they may not agree with your dog. There are several factors to consider, such as your pets breed, the pets weight, and the ingredients in the product. Paoli Vetcare is a great choice if you are searching for a renowned vet that maintains high-care and priority for pets. A highly-skilled vet will also be able to guide you regarding methods of avoiding the use of stress and anxiety remedies if they are not entirely necessary.
Instil Routine
One of the main reasons pets experience separation anxiety is simply the fact that they are not familiar with their surroundings or their new family and if there is no current routine in place, the pet will likely feel anxious and stressed when left alone. Therefore, you should instil routine as early as possible by keeping feeding times consistent. Other elements of routine include bathing times, grooming times, playtimes, and sleep times. Your pet should also have their own dog bed and space in your home as this will help them feel somewhat more comfortable within the first few weeks of the adjustment. It would also be preferable to only leave your pet alone for the same times each day as they will be able to fall into the pattern of knowing when you leave and when you will be back. However, it is never recommended to leave a young puppy alone for extended periods of time while they are still adjusting to their new environment.
Crate Training
Crate training can be done over short periods of time while you are at home with your pet as the principle of the method explains providing your pet with a crate or box that will essentially be their safe place. The crate will help your pet feel calm and it will also keep them out of trouble when you are away from home. However, once again you should avoid leaving your pet alone for too long as anxiety symptoms will increase.