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Separation anxiety is a common problem that occurs when your dog becomes stressed when you leave them alone. A dog with separation anxiety will often become destructive, bark or howl continuously until you return, or relieve themselves in the house. These symptoms can sometimes lead to even more serious dysfunction.

The best way to get rid of separation anxiety is to understand your dog. Dogs are pack animals and in the wild they are rarely alone. They always have other dogs around them, whether they be hunting, eating, or sleeping. A single dog in your home will be perplexed, as every part of them screams out to be with you at all times but they can't because of your schedule.

If you can help it. It is better to stop separation anxiety before it even happens. It's easier to do this when you have adopted a puppy, but either way it is still very possible to break them of this uncontrollable issue.

All people have a certain routine they follow to ready themselves. Whether we notice or not we have a set routine for when we leave everyday, and your dog does pick up on this. The know that after you shower, you put on your shoes, and you grab the keys they are about to be left home alone once again. While you're getting all this done the anxiety is building up in your poor dog.

A really simple way to help relieve a little anxiety is to change up your schedule of getting ready. Before you hop in the shower, jingle your keys. Just mix up your schedule as often as you can. That way your dog doesn't pick up on a set routine of leaving them alone, and the anxiety can't build up on them.

You can also surreptitiously sneak out of the house rather than making a big show of leaving. Many people feel that since they're going to be leaving their dog alone for the day they need to give them a lot of loving before they leavesuch as a big hug or generous petting. Once again, you are alerting them to what's coming next, which gives your dog some serious anxiety. Just leave without saying farewell to them.

If you crate your dog, which is a smart thing to do. You can't very well sneak out without them noticing. So, for this case, you are going to want to crate them for short periods of time while your are home. Put them in their for 5-10 minutes and then let them out again. Don't make a fuss over it. Their crate is nothing to be excited, or upset about. Gradually everyday, put them in their crate for 15 minutes more. Now when you leave for long periods of time, they know you will be coming back for them.

All in all, always remember that your dog picks up on cues that you give them - even when don't mean to. Dogs enjoy the security of a routine, but a routine that leads up to something they do not like - such as separation from their owner- can give them anxiety. By breaking things up and modifying your daily routine, your dog will begin to more easily accept separation.

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