Dogs, especially puppies, can act out separation anxiety in several disturbing ways. Some howl, others shred furniture, and still others pant and pace themselves to ill health. Some people have found a good dog toy can curtail some of the anxiety. These toys are not free, but one or two of them could be the answer to your problem.
Things You'll Need
- Kong the right size for your dog
- Buster Cube
- Peanut butter
- Dog food
Instructions
Get the dog used to playing with the toys. A KongTime toy automatically releases a food-filled ball over a four to eight hour period. While you're at home, stuff a Kong ball with peanut butter and let the dog play with it during a normal snack period. This way, the dog will recognize the ball as a treat when it gets released while you're gone.
Fill the Kong balls with the dog's favorite treat the night before you leave, and let the dog watch you put them in the freezer. Freezing the Kong will make the peanut butter last longer, and it will take the dog longer to unstuff a cold ball.
Take the dog for a walk before you leave. The "together" time may help the dog's anxiety by itself, but the exercise will also tire the dog out. The less active dog is more likely to respond to the toys.
Experiment with other toys designed to alleviate pet anxiety. They include interactive balls that make sounds when the pet touches them and video and audio discs. If the pet is prone to watch TV, try dog-specific movies that show dogs in action or include sounds that appeal to dogs.