4 Easy Ways to Relieve Your Dog's Separation Anxiety

If you have a dog that suffers from separation anxiety, you know how heartbreaking it can be to have to leave them. Even if you try to stay at home as much as possible, having to leave at some point is inevitable. Here are 4 simple things that you can try to help relieve their anxiety and make your time away from home less stressful for everyone.

Exercise Your Dog Before Leaving

Sometimes, you may be mistaking anxiety for pent-up energy. If your dog has not been properly exercised and is then put into a crate or left alone, he may become bored and rowdy simply because he is unable to settle down. Before you leave, take your dog for a nice walk or spend some time playing with him so that he is exhausted when you leave. A tired dog is a good dog, so don't set him up for failure by ignoring his needs.  

Try Calming Supplements

There are many calming supplements on the market, but if you want to go the natural route, try organic CBD oil for dogs. CBD works in the brain to cause a feeling of balance and restfulness, making your dog not only less upset, but also a bit sleepy. CBD can also be used to treat painassociated with ailments like arthritis and cancer, so it really is a great solution.

Don't Turn Leaving into a Big Deal

As tempting as it may be to say a long, loving goodbye to your dog before you leave, this will only serve to get him excited and make him upset when you leave. Instead of leaving excitedly, simply get yourself ready and go. Also, try to change your pre-leaving routine up a bit, so your dog does not begin to associate you getting dressed in the bathroom, for example, with negative feelings. 

Start Small

Particularly if you are training a puppy, start by leaving your dog for a short time, no more than five minutes, and then coming back and praising him if he behaved. If this goes well, you can begin to leave him for longer periods of time, and he should begin to realize that you may leave often, but you always come back and there is nothing to be upset about.

Dogs need repetition and crave position attention. If you work with your pal every day consistently, you will eventually have an even-keeled, well-mannered dog in your home.