Golden Retriever Separation Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide 2024
Maybe your Golden Retrievers are suffering from separation anxiety for different reasons. If you noted these reasons, it means your dog has separation anxiety. When did you get ready to leave the house, and when did your dog see you? Do they get nervous?
When you come back home, do they wabble with joy? Did your shoes become the new chew toy, and did they leave marks on the door? Did they chew the table corners while you were out? These are a few symptoms that show that your dog has separation anxiety.
What is separation anxiety?
Golden Retrievers are a very loving and loyal dog breed, so they quickly attach to their owner. Separation anxiety happens when the dog is hyper-attached to their owner, and when they leave them alone or change their family, it gets super stressed.
If your dog is a victim of separation anxiety, then it is a very serious situation. The most common reason is when the owner feels overwhelmed by their dogs. However, many effective strategies can help you to address this situation.
Before addressing this situation, discover what triggers your dog’s behavior and why they act this way:
What are the symptoms of separation anxiety?
When your dog experiences separation anxiety, they may exhibit the following signs or Behaviors:
When your dog feels separation anxiety, it does these things frequently. Normal dogs also do these things once in a while. When you are around your dog, they don’t do any of these things on extreme levels.
How to treat separation anxiety?
Tiring out your dog mentally and physically to treat their separation anxiety. It is a serious condition, so consult your vet for proper treatment or to rule out any medical problems. The dog may have indoor accidents due to infections, hormone imbalances, or other health issues.
Take your dog on a walk, explore new paths with them, and let it stop to sniff and discover the world around it. Before you leave, bring out long-lasting treats, enrichment, and puzzle toys. Establish a routine at the same time you leave or come back home.
How do you handle mild separate anxiety situations?
If the situation is mild, do the following things to overcome their separation anxiety:
How do you handle serious separate anxiety situations?
If a dog has acute anxiety and may not be distracted by treats or by giving puzzle toys, you need to acclimate them to your absence slowly. When you leave the house, they start getting nervous, like picking up the keys and putting on your shoes.
So, in this situation, don’t leave. Put on your shoes, sit down, and start watching the TV. Keep doing these things repeatedly throughout the day. When your dog feels relaxed, it slowly starts to disappear.
Firstly, go to the other side of the door, ask your dog to stay, and then close the inside door between you. Come back after a few seconds. Gradually increase the time of your going. Now, put on your shoes, pick up the keys, and ask your dog to stay while you step into another room.
Go out when your dog feels relaxed or separate and anxiety-free. Always act calm when you leave the home or when you come back home. Start by slowly increasing the time you spend outside the home. Begin with a few minutes or for longer and longer periods.
How long does it take to cure separation anxiety?
Stay consistent and patience in treating separation anxiety. It may take months, or many dogs can overcome it and enjoy a stress-free life. These behaviors may come back during other periods of change.
FAQs
How do you break a Golden Retriever with separation anxiety?
If your dog feels anxious, take it for long walks and play puzzle-solving games. One of the most effective ways to help your Golden Retriever overcome separation anxiety is by keeping it mentally and physically active.
Is separation anxiety common in Golden Retrievers?
Yes, separation anxiety is common in Golden Retrievers. As they are very loving and loyal to their owners, they feel separation anxiety when you leave or separate them from them for a long time.
Do dogs grow out of separation anxiety?
Dogs don’t simply grow out of separation anxiety. If you leave it untreated, the situation will probably get worse and won’t get better. If you are worried and want an effective result, consult a dog trainer specializing in separation anxiety.
What Triggers Separation Anxiety In Golden Retrievers?
If your dog experiences separation anxiety, it may be triggered by a few common events:
How Do I Get My Golden Retriever To Relax?
Dogs are also like humans as they feel tension, and by following different ways, they overcome their anxiety or tension or relax. If you want to relax your dog, there are a few ways that are given below:
- Exercise
- Mental stimulation
- Massage
- Calming music
- Comfort items
Conclusion
Golden Retrievers’ separation anxiety is common because they are loyal and affectionate dog breeds. When you address the symptoms and start treating them, they start to relax. Mental health, physical stimulation, and establishing a routine are the strategies to manage anxiety. You can easily overcome your Golden Retriever anxiety with consistency and patience, and they start enjoying their stress-free life.
