Separation anxiety in Labradors occurs when it feels alone or separated from the person he is strongly attached to. This is a neurological distress response that causes him to chew your chair’s cushions or even dig a hole in the couch.
Dealing with separation anxiety on Labradors it’s not a difficult task. But it’s important to clarify that this task is much easier to prevent than trying to fix it later. Naturally, Labradors have a temperament that allows them to be around people, it’s a very social dog breed. Somehow, it’s normal that Labradors suffer from separation anxiety issues.
Labradors are very emotional dogs, they are always seeking some attention, and that needs to be cut off. They intend to follow you everywhere you go. Also being smart dogs, they do need a second chance. Below are some ways to help out your Labrador from separation anxiety:
Training Treatment
Point of reference
You may need provide your dog the best place to rest, and use it as a point of reference. This is where you will train him to stay and not to follow around the house every time, he sees you moving.
This point of reference may be a pet-friendly carpet, a bench, a mark, whatever you want it to be, and you will use it around the house to train him.
Example: let’s assume you want to go out, and your dog is following. You have to redirect him back to the point of reference “carpet” around that place.
You can do this every day, everywhere around the house like kitchen, living room, and other places. Give your lab a treat every time he lays downs on the carpet. By using the point of reference way, you are teaching him this unnatural behavior of not following and being left alone to become a natural behavior.
Crate
Place him inside a crate, this helps to build the dog’s confidence of being left alone. You can perform this exercise by staying out of sight for at least 4 to 5 minutes. It will build the comfort level with you not being around. This method will alleviate the dog’s stress.
Medical Treatment
There are some cases in which the separation anxiety levels might look severe. When the behavioral modification doesn’t work out, you are advised to meet the vet for further assistance. They will prescribe some anti-anxiety drugs like Clomicalm or Valium to decrease the level of anxiety in your labs.
Summary
Any dog regardless of their age, can develop separation anxiety when left alone or doesn’t have proper exercise. It is not an impossible task to do even when you don’t have much experience with dog training.
If you give them jobs to do every day, they will feel more satisfied and less bored. If you help your dog to focus more on working on a job or playing a fun game with you, they are going to be less worried about the fact that you are not around.
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