Herbs for Anxiety and Depression

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Separation Anxiety in Dogs By Ron Swerdfiger

What is Separation Anxiety? When you leave the house, it is nice to know that your dog goes to his favorite spot and sleeps peacefully until you return. However dogs suffering from Separation Anxiety are not so lucky. Separation Anxiety can appear in dogs that have not been properly socialized, dogs that have been moved from one home to another and dogs that are naturally nervous. Your dog is a social, pack animal who relies on the others (you) for individual protection and security. Dogs that lack confidence, due to socialization issues, understanding of expected behavior, or possible maltreatment in the past (adopted dogs), are more likely to exhibit behaviors related to separation anxiety Essentially, when you leave to go to work, or even just to the corner store for five minutes, you dog becomes upset, stressed and confused. Dogs with separation anxiety can do everything from whining and barking, to ripping apart your couch and eating your duck feathered pillow. How do I know if my dog has Separation Anxiety? There is much debate over the cause of separation anxiety. some believe it is a lack of confidence that causes the dog to rely to much on their humans. In this case, you have to teach your dog to accept the fact that you are leaving, and it’s going to be ok. If you have a dog with separation anxiety, you will know. Dogs will usually exhibit a combination of the following: - The behavior often occurs when the dog is left alone. - The dog makes a Abig deal@ when his owner leaves, or comes home. - Well left alone the dog will exhibit behavior which is not common to his normal behavior. - The dog may not eat if the owner is not in the room - The dog will follow his owner around constantly What ever the cause is, here are some techniques for solving the problem. What can be done? Make your Departure and Arrival Routine Make your dog realize that your departures and arrivals are nothing to get excited over. Usually the dog feels the greatest amount of anxiety shortly after you leave. Therefore you need to practice with your dog the “routine” of coming and going. Lots of Exercise! Exercise is believed to relieve stress in both humans and dogs alike. A long walk, run, or play session prior to leaving can go a long way in helping to reduce the stress and anxiety of your dog. Give Your Dog Something to Do While You Are gone. If your dog has something entertaining to do while you are away, he will be less likely to become stressed and anxious. A stuffed Kong filled with a tasty treat is an excellent example. Confine Your Dog While You Are Away Some dogs are more comfortable being confined to their own Aden.@ A crate is an ideal space for your dog. A dog who is properly crate trained is less susceptible to get in to trouble while you are gone. If a crate is not an option, confine him to one room or limit access to the whole house. Introduce Another Dog If your dog has another companion to keep him company while you=re gone, it may help alleviate the boredom and tension caused while you are away. Of course this is only “one” option. There are many other factors to take into consideration before adding another dog to your home. Set Aside Time For Four Dog Make time during your day to give undivided attention to your dog. This time can be spent playing, teaching, or even just taking a nap together. If possible, try to make this one-on-one time prior to departures. Leave the Radio or TV On Leave a radio on in a separate room. The dog will hear the voice and will feel less alone. Some people even leave voice recordings of themselves in hopes to calm the dog. Depending on the severity of anxiety, you may need to contact a behavior specialist through your vet. Ths website only provides BASIC information about Separation Anxiety. your veterinarian is always your best source of health information. Consult your veterinarian for more information about Seperation Anxiety and its prevention. If you have a dog with separation anxiety, you will know. Dogs will usually exhibit a combination of the following: - The behavior often occurs when the dog is left alone. - The dog makes a Abig deal@ when his owner leaves, or comes home. - Well left alone the dog will exhibit behavior which is not common to his normal behavior. - The dog may not eat if the owner is not in the room - The dog will follow it=s owner around constantly What ever the cause is, here are some techniques for solving the problem. What can be done? Make your Departure and Arrival Routine Make your dog realize that your departures and arrivals are nothing to get excited over. Usually the dog feels the greatest amount of anxiety shortly after you leave. Therefore you need to practice with your dog the “routine” of coming and going. Lots of Exercise! Exercise is believed to relieve stress in both humans and dogs alike. A long walk, run, or play session prior to leaving can go a long way in helping to reduce the stress and anxiety of your dog. Give Your Dog Something to Do While You Are gone. If your dog has something entertaining to do while you are away, he will be less likely to become stressed and anxious. A stuffed Kong filled with a tasty treat is an excellent example. Confine Your Dog While You Are Away Some dogs are more comfortable being confined to their own Aden.@ A crate is an ideal space for your dog. A dog who is properly crate trained is less susceptible to get in to trouble while you are gone. If a crate is not an option, confine him to one room or limit access to the whole house. Introduce Another Dog If your dog has another companion to keep him company while you=re gone, it may help alleviate the boredom and tension caused while you are away. Of course this is only “one” option. There are many other factors to take into consideration before adding another dog to your home. Set Aside Time For Four Dog Make time during your day to give undivided attention to your dog. This time can be spent playing, teaching, or even just taking a nap together. If possible, try to make this one-on-one time prior to departures. Leave the Radio or TV On Leave a radio on in a separate room. The dog will hear the voice and will feel less alone. Some people even leave voice recordings of themselves in hopes to calm the dog. Depending on the severity of anxiety, you may need to contact a behavior specialist through your vet. Ths website only provides BASIC information about Separation Anxiety. your veterinarian is always your best source of health information. Consult your veterinarian for more information about Seperation Anxiety and its prevention. For more great articles and tons of other great info visit our Dog Forum (http://www.dogsforums.com/), visit Ron’s blog or visit our Pet blog (www.petsblog.com)

Get More Info. on PetAlive PetCalm Formula for Anxious and Stressed Pets Alternatives For Separation Anxiety in Dogs By Kristi Patrice Carter 

If you’ve ever experienced separation anxiety in your dog, you understand what a heart breaking problem this is. There are dogs who will bark without ceasing as you get ready to head out the door. Your dog may chew, tear or scratch up things in your home while you’re gone and there are many other symptoms. Some dogs only experience small problems with anxiety while others experience quite a bit. There are some things that will help, including some great holistic remedies.

Diluted Bach flower essences are often utilized to calm a dog and relax them so they are not feeling so much stress and anxiety. This is completely safe and it works to calm the nerves. It can also be combined with other ingredients and made to treat several different conditions. You can find this herb at herb shops, health food stores and of course, on the internet. Another herb that is often used on anxiety in dogs is St. John’s Wort. Many people have used this herb for years to improve their moods, relieve tension and help relax them. It is also great for a deep, healthy sleep. If you decide to use this for your dog, at the first sign of photosensitivity, stop using the product. Valerian is used quite often to treat anxiety and will help get rid of some of your pet’s anxiety issues. One interesting thing to note is that while valerian is extremely useful for helping to calm your dog and making him or her feel well adjusted, it should NEVER be given to cats. It has the opposite effect and makes the cat incredibly hyper. Kava Kava has been noted as a great treatment of anxiety in dogs, although there is some controversy as to whether or not it’s safe for dogs. It is completely safe in humans, but again, for dogs, we just don’t know. You should be very careful should you decide to try this remedy. There are all different kinds of holistic treatments for animals and anxiety issues. You can check the local herb shops, health food stores or order them online. Before starting your dog on any kind of remedy, you should talk to your vet or holistic vet to get their opinion of the treatment choice. There are many different holistic alternatives for the treatment of dog separation anxiety. They can be found in most health food stores and are widely available on the Internet. If you are interested in finding the best treatment for your dog, you may want to discuss your treatment options with your veterinarian or holistic practitioner.