Pet Separation Anxiety | Video

Alyssa Marino | 3/16/2013

Some dog owners leave the house to go to work and the animal cries or barks. It`s called pet separation anxiety.

"Aw, that`s her sad face because she know`s I`m leaving," said Janelle Silbernagel.

Her dog, Sydney, gets this sad look on her face whenever Janelle leaves the room.

"It starts with me actually taking a shower. As soon as I take a shower, she goes up on her bed and gets very, very depressed."

Silbernagel says, Sydney doesn`t just seem sad. Depression physically affects her. "When I`m away, she doesn`t eat her food."

Betsy Hamkens, a professional dog trainer, says this kind of behavior can be stopped if you train a dog early.

"When they are puppies, you need to desensitize them to that separation anxiety, either by putting them in crates or another room, so they learn how to handle themselves on their own four feet."

Betsy says to make sure you keep your pet calm when you leave, get them used to the crate and make it a positive thing.

"Crates are wonderful tools; it helps you so much if the dog feels comfortable. A lot of people will darken it, they`ll throw a blanket on it. They sleep."

Some dogs have more drastic forms of anxiety, causing them to have seizures. In that case, you want to remain as calm as possible.

"When a dog has separation anxiety, you don`t want to scold them because they`re genuinely nervous."

On the other hand, sometimes an owner can`t help it if their dog is attached at their hip.

"I mean I love her so much, I don`t care. She`s so spoiled."

So, if your dog`s sad puppy dog eyes don`t seem like too much of a problem, don`t worry. It`s normal for them to miss you. If it`s a little more serious than that, think about seeing a trainer.

Betsy Hamkens owns her own business called "Paw-sitive, Motivational Training Classes". You can reach her at traink9@bis.midco.net or call her at 701-663-4441.

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