Just like human kids, dogs also get anxious when their master leaves them alone at home. This is a common problem and known as dog separation anxiety, which can also be annoying at times. One must overcome this problem at early years of dog's age or it can lead to unwanted behavior like creating a mess, excessive barking when you are not at home and even destruction of household items.

What causes dog separation anxiety?
If you are a dog owner, you must understand that dogs are pack animals and love to live in groups. Even if they have no litter, they love the company of their master and its family members. They make a quick bonding with their master and develop immense attachment. So, whenever you leave the home, they get anxious and start behaving anxiously.

The main reason behind dog separation anxiety is behavior of the master himself. If you will give him too much attention before leaving somewhere, obviously it will leave your dog anxious when alone.

How to control dog separation anxiety?
This problem can be solved with very simple pet dog training. Take a look at following simple methods to help you with the problem of dog separation anxiety.

Variable schedule: The very first step of pet dog training to overcome anxiety is the change your routine and making it variable for a few days. Dogs learn things quickly, especially the time when you leave from home. So if you see that your dog starts behaving differently at your breakfast alarm, change your habit. Get ready at different times; vary your dressing up and breakfast time, etc, at least for 15 days in a row. Believe me; this is greatly helpful in reducing pre-leaving anxiety.

Ignore: Do not pamper or give attention to your dog for at least 15 minutes before leaving or after coming home. This is again an easy method of reducing dog separation anxiety as it helps in reducing association with coming and going time. You can also practice crate training for these times.

Gradually build up time: If your dog is too much anxious about separation from you and starts making noises the same second you leave, you should handle him in a different manner. Start by leaving from home for a few seconds and then come back. Gradually stretch it to several minutes and finally several hours. This will change the expectations of your pet and he will understand that for how long you will be gone and return.

Dog separation anxiety is neither good for you or for your dog. You must understand that by giving training to overcome anxiety, you are not getting cruel to your dog. In fact, you are helping him to relax and get rid of anxiety problems.