4 Things You Can Do To Overcome Dog Excitable Urination And Separation Anxiety
No one is sure why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and others don't but
, separation anxiety can become a real problem for both you and your dog especially if that problem is compounded by excitable urination upon your return.
The first step in dealing with separation anxiety in your dog is knowing what is occurring when you are gone. If your dog is howling, barking or continually whining when he is left alone, he tends to be destructive when you are gone but not destructive when you are close by then he probably suffers from separation anxiety. In the simplest terms this means that when left alone your pet becomes lonely, miserable and even fearful. This is made worse in some dogs when you come home. They are so glad to see you that they get so excited that they lose control of their bladder leaving a smelly puddle on your floor. They can't help this type of urination it is simply their body's response to this extreme excitement.
You can solve both problems with some simple training of your dog. To begin helping your dog overcome his separation anxiety start by sitting in a room with him quietly while he plays with some of his favorite toys. Once he has gotten used to playing while you sit quietly get up and leave the room for just a minute and then return and once again sit quietly. Continue doing this, extending the time you are gone until you can leave the room for a half an hour or more without the dog feeling uncomfortable.
The next step is to start making short trips out of doors. If your dog barks or howls remain outside until he has quieted and then return and again sit quietly in a chair. Eventually, you can increase your time out of door and then even leave the property without causing any anxiety in your dog.
No Fan Fair
One of the important things to remember is that dogs are sensitive to the feelings and actions of their owners. If you make a big production of your leaving and returning, your dog will see these actions as an important event in which he should feel anxious or excited. If you handle your going and comings with matter of factness your dog will attach less importance to these events as well.
By training your dog to accept your goings and comings as a natural order of things, the problem of excitable urination will most often resolve itself. If you leave and then return without paying any special attention to your dog on your arrival he will accept your return with calmness over time and the problem will simply cease to exist.
However, make sure that you do give your dog the attention he needs and craves at other times, spending quality time with him during the course of the day will teach him that you value his companionship and he will be less likely to suffer when he is not the center of attention or when he is left alone.
Making sure your dog has fresh water and food and plenty of toys to play with will also help to keep him engaged and entertained while you are gone.
by: Martie O'Dell