Separation anxiety in dogs is characterized by desctructive behavior when the dog is left alone. This behavior can include barking, howling, destroying household items, digging, chewing and sometimes urination. Some dogs will literally go into a panic and dig at a door or a window to try and escape and find their owner
Some owners find using a distraction for there pet while they go out is a good way to releive some anziety, this can include leaving the radio or tv on so the dog can hear humans talking, or leaving them with a toy or a treat ball to give them something else to focus on. With more severe separation anxiety problems it can be helpful to change the leaving routine so that the dog is unaware of your intention to leave. Normally a dog will notice small signs like the owner putting on the shoes or grabbing the keys and in a dog with separation anxiety this can translate into panic. Try making leaving the house unexpected to your dog by putting your shoes outside or leaving without doing your leaving routine. Then after waiting 10 minutes outside return to the house. This begins to desensitize the dog to the fear of separation. It is good to make sure that leaving the house and arriving is always a calm event, if the owner responds to the dog in an excited way it increases the excitement of the dog.
Another strategy to desensitize a dog with separation anziety is to show the dog repeatedly that the leaving routine doesn't need to result in a panic attack. The owner of the dog goes through the familiar leaving routine, grabbing keys, putting on shoes and picking up a bag to leave then sitting down again. After repeating this exercise a number of times, try going one step further and finish the leaving routine by opening the door and standing outside it for a minute but with the door open. These exercises need to be repeated over and over to desensitize the dog.
It is important to get a dog with separation anxiety comfortable with even short absenses, daily routines like getting the paper, result in a short absense and this can be used to make the dog feel that leaving will result in the owners return.
Once your dog can handle short absences (30 to 90 minutes), he'll usually be able to handle longer intervals alone and you won't have to repeat this process every time you are planning a longer absence. The hard part is at the beginning, but the job gets easier as you go along. Nevertheless, you must go slowly at first. How long it takes to condition your dog to being alone depends on the severity of his problem.
Green lipped mussel extract treatment for arthritis
If your pet has been diagnosed with arthritis you might find Green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) is included in some glucosamine based treatments. Green lipped mussel has been found to inhibit inflammation in the joints and is useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritisThe Ultimate Guide to Traveling with Pets
Traveling with pets can be a delightful experience, but it requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you're taking a road trip or flying to a new destination, ensuring your furry friend's comfort and safety is paramount. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the essentials of pet travel, from legal requirements to packing tips, so you and your pet can enjoy a stress-free journey together.Facts about Heartworm in the United States
Canine heartworm infection occurs all across the United States. Heartworm infection has been found in pet and wild dogs in all 50 states, each of which have there own areas where the disease is an ongoing problem (these are known as "endemic" areas).