Categories: Veterinary Help

Golden Retriever Separation Anxiety

Golden Retriever Separation Anxiety.

Golden retriever separation anxiety is when quite literally your Golden Retriever panics when they are separated from you, or you leave the home without them. This can manifest in a number of ways.
Separation anxiety in dogs is one of the most common of all the Golden Retriever behavior problems. It is because of their amiable and friendly nature Golden Retrievers come very close to their owners in a very short time. This article describes the tips on handling Golden Retriever Separation anxiety.


Golden Retriever Dog Anxiety Symptoms.

Because of the golden retriever’s temperament, these Dogs are social animals and Golden Retrievers are more so. Golden Retriever separation anxiety is common as this breed will create a close bond with its owner – a fellow hunter that might rely on the Golden Retriever to help retrieve the hunted game that was killed before any other animal go there for it.
Normally, an anxious Golden Retriever will bark – maybe for a few minutes, other times for hours. If you’re at work and your Golden Retriever starts barking for hours, guess who will be upsetting the neighbors and getting little notes the following day.
Nowadays, that loyalty and closeness is admired by some, but it does create circumstances of great anxiety.
While Golden Retrievers are susceptible to this disorder, it is not a guaranteed problem. Most Golden Retriever separation anxiety, well the more severe forms of it, are brought on by stressful experiences. If you obtained your dog from a shelter or rescue centre, they are likely to be more prone than others to separation anxiety.


What Does Golden Retriever Separation Anxiety Involve?.

Barking is the most common outcome, separation anxiety can grow exponentially worse and incur a lot more other symptoms like shaking, whining, destructive tendencies, urination and even damage to themselves as they desperately try to reach you.
Normally, this will be prompted by a sound or action that your Golden Retriever will recognize as an indication that you are planning to leave. It could be your keys making a noise, or the action of you doing up the laces of your shoes, or even your morning alarm clock call if their anxiety is bad enough.


What Causes Golden Retriever Separation Anxiety?.

This bond, which has developed between the pet and the owner, causes the separation anxiety when it is left alone. Separation anxiety is the anguish and agony felt by the pet when it is left unaccompanied. This can rapidly intensify and can take a destructive nature if left unattended. Therefore, to prevent this problem, it is important to understand the needs of your Golden Retriever. Taking the Golden Retriever to a dog training class or course is one of the best things that an owner can do to help your dog overcome the separation anxiety.

Because of their social nature, Golden Retrievers need constant companionship and social interaction. They owner has to devote a lot of time and attention to make them feel happy and contented. It is due to this temperament of Golden Retrievers they experience separation anxiety when left alone for a lengthy time period. A Golden Retriever suffering from separation anxiety tries it level best to keep their owner at home. This fear of being isolated from its owner makes the Golden Retrievers even cry. Golden Retriever separation anxiety can be noticed when you are preparing to go out. If your pet get anxious and worked up, you must understand that your Golden Retriever is suffering from separation anxiety. Other symptoms indicative of separation anxiety include defecation in the house, urination in inappropriate places, jumping through windows and crying.

The first step in preventing the growth of separation anxiety among the puppies is to fully wean away from their mother, usually this happens after when they are 8 weeks of age. And it is the time to start training the Golden Retriever, independent from his mother. This is the phase that Golden Retrievers usually spend with their breeder. Once you bring the Golden Retriever your home it is your responsibility to train the puppy to prevent separation anxiety. Care should be taken of number of things to prevent your pet from separation anxiety. This includes things like, leaving your Golden Retriever without any fuss, that is, you must not shower extra love and affection when you are preparing to leave. The same should be done when you come back to your home.

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Golden Retriever Dog Anxiety Treatment: How to Handle Separation Anxiety?

Dealing with a dog that has severe separation anxiety can be hard. A part of you feels bad for the Golden Retriever dog, but another grows frustrated that you have problems leaving the house without the dog getting upset. So, it’s best to deal with it head on, This can be done by making key changes you and your Golden Retriever’s routine.
For a start your dog anxiety treatment, make sure your give dog a LOT of exercise. Before leaving, be sure they are too tired to really worry that you’re gone.

Whenever you have to go out for a long period of time, say few hours, engage your Golden Retriever in vigorous exercise prior to leaving. Once you feel the dog is tired provide calm-submissive energy with food and water and let your pet rest. Then, while the Golden Retriever is in quiet resting mode, leave the place. Additionally, to make your departure less noticeable, decrease the interaction with him before leaving. Another method is use a toy or bone and as a distraction when you slip out the door. Such treats will make it easier for him to forget about their separation anxiety and your absence. For most dogs anxiety will not grow if they can separate your act of leaving with that initial instant of panic.

Also, try to give your Golden Retriever something occupy them – a puzzle, some chews, a puzzle. These kinds of bribes will usually dispel the issues that cause severe anxiety, but if your dog is just a little upset, this will help keep them busy long enough to get them over you leaving.

Another practice to carry out is to get them used to you leaving. During the day when you are in the home, go through your routine that you normally do before leaving and then don’t leave. Or, one day, just get up and leave without any warning – without shoes or keys or anything.

By changing your routine, and ignoring your Golden Retriever before leaving the house, you should be able to separate the routine from their mind with that sense of panic.

Another way to ease Golden Retriever separation anxiety is to provide them with a pal. The hallmark of the Golden Retriever’s temperament is their ability to befriend with other dogs, cats, and most livestock. A friend to play with can be great way to take your Golden Retriever out of otherwise seemingly incurable separation anxiety. Entertainment is something that keeps your Golden Retriever away from separation anxiety, no matter in what form it is available.

Lastly, make sure you ignore the dog if he starts to whine or whimper. This is hard to do, but the more attention you give them when they get upset, the harder it becomes. You need to disregard it, and do your best to create a distance between your act of leaving and your Golden Retriever.
Ideally, through the right amount of attention to your dog’s boredom, a careful re-think of your routine and regular adjustments to how you interact with your Golden Retriever, separation anxiety will be a thing of the past.

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Patrick Astim

Dr. Patrick Astim (PhD) was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in United States, he attended College for undergraduate studies from 1992-1996 and the University of Veterinary Medicine from 1997-2001. His professional interests include stem cell therapy, immunotherapy, pet therapy, soft tissue surgery, oncology, and internal medicine. In his free time, Dr. Astim enjoys blogging and many outdoor activities including golfing, playing basketball and helping animal shelters. He also enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for Golden Retriever dogs and veterinary medicine with the next generation of veterinarians and is always willing to spend time visiting classrooms as well as mentor current and prospective veterinary students. Dr. Astim is married and has two children: Scot, and Sarah. There are also two Golden Retriever dogs, Leia and Molly and a cat, Nita, that live under the Astim’s roof.

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Patrick Astim