Separation anxiety is problem that is common for most dogs to develop. It is considered to be an anxiety disorder, that happens when the dog finds himself isolated bring on a state of intense panic brought on by separation from his owner(s). For example it can occur when an owner leaves for work in the morning, the dog is develops a condition of nervous anxiety which will intensify very quickly.

Dogs require plenty of company and social interaction to keep them happy and secure. They are social animals just like most humans. Dog do not like to be left alone for long periods of time, but some dogs and even some breeds fare much worse than others, and these are the dogs most prone to suffer from separation anxiety.

It is known that some dog breeds can be genetically predisposed towards separation anxiety, something to take into consideration when deciding which breed to choose from particularly if you’re going to be absent for long stretches of time. Some of these breeds include Weimaraners, Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, and Airedales.

There are a number of contributing causes to dog’s separation anxiety, for instance dogs from shelters are more likely to develop separation anxiety, since ‘shelter dogs’ have experienced quite a bit of trauma. For instance if they have been abandoned by previous owners and therefore find it hard to trust new owners.

Sometimes dogs that were separated from their mothers and siblings too early have been shown to be prone to separation anxiety. An example of this are puppies from pet-stores since they are usually taken from their mothers as early as age 8 weeks, and then they are confined to a small glass box in the pet-store for up to two months. This early weaning, along with lack of exercise and affection from their mothers, will likely be very traumatic for the dog.

The biggest cause of separation anxiety in dogs is neglect, since your dog need your companionship if he is to be happy and content. Neglect inevitably occurs, if you are separated from your dog more than you’re present in his life. The dog will learn from your routine when you are leaving the house. The dog then starts to become anxious, following you from room to room, whining and crying.

These are the symptoms of separation anxiety.  When you’ve left, the anxious behavior manifests itself within a half an hour, with the dog incessantly barking, scratching and digging at windows and doors to try to escape and find you. He might chew inappropriate items, or urinate and defecate inside the house. Some dog have been known to engage in self-mutilation by licking or chewing the skin until it’s raw.

Many owners on their return, will encounter a dog that is excessively excited, and will leap around in a frenzy of delight. But this is misleading because this behavior is actually an indication of a psychological disorder. You are not seeing the behavior while you are gone.

There are a few things you need to do to minimize your dog’s separation anxiety. First exercise your dog enough to wear him out. The longer you think you will be gone for the day, the more exercise your dog should get before you leave. You dog must be distracted from his boredom, loneliness, and anxiety by giving him an alternative to whining, crying and pacing.

If you are interested in finding out more information when it comes to dealing with your dog’s separation anxiety, you might will want to check out Secrets to Dog Training. It’s a great learning tool for anyone who wants to learn how to deal constructively with their dog’s problem behaviors. It deals in great detail with all of the common dog behavior problems, and there’s a great section on obedience commands and tricks.

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One of the most biggest misconceptions that most people have is that their own dogs won’t bite. While it is natural that everybody feels some level of respect for a big, growling dog we are becoming too nonchalant about our own dogs.  So how can you be sure that your dog will never bite anyone?

A dog bite injury can lead to some serious, even life threatening injuries, some even requiring corrective surgery.  There is also the problem of psychological, emotional, and physical scars from the dog bite injuries that will need to be overcome.  There can also be staggering financial and legal costs as well.

While some dog biting is fairly common in young puppies while playing or teething, you need to start to train your dog that biting is not acceptable.  In puppies this is called ‘mouthing’ and this is something to keep in mind since puppies have sharp teeth and while they are playing it is inevitable that he will use those teeth.

Preventing these dog bite injuries is a necessity both medically and legally, and this is why dog owners have to be responsible for their dogs. A dog owner has to recognize that any dog of any breed is capable of biting someone, and even a ‘nice’ dog can suddenly snap and bite if he becomes frightened, or hurt in any way.

Obedience Training

One way to help to prevent these dog bite injuries is to invest in a good dog obedience training program. Dogs that are not trained or not trained well are much more likely to bite. Get him socialized early with other puppies, and under calm and positive circumstances, allow him to also meet and interact with other people, including children.  This is because all dogs are descendants of dog packs and where dogs often exhibit aggressive behavior having to do with dominance.

Spay and Neuter your Dog

Another good preventative for either minor or devastating dog bite injuries is to spay or neuter your dog as this will eliminate or reduce aggression levels in both male and female dogs. This will also prevent many health problems later in his life.

Why do Dogs Bite?

Learning why dogs bite can make it possible for you to understand some behaviors and to avoid them.  You can also learn to train your dog to prevent possible dog bite injuries.  Despite what many people may think, dogs don’t bite because of aggression, but because of fear and surprise. This is why socializing your dog when he a puppy is so important to get him used to other people and other dogs.

Other Things You Can Do

Be sure to take your dog to the vet on a regular basis and also make sure that all his vaccinations are kept up to date. Get your dog licensed and also keep his paperwork up to date.

Don’t allow your dog to wander freely, in fact he should be contained on your property and you should be able to control his access to the street.

If you follow these common sense steps you can greatly reduce an attack or dog bites by a lot.  Just be a responsible owner and start working with your puppy or dog today.

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