Dog-owners Share The Worst Ways Their Dogs Ruined Their Hook-ups!

#1 Many dogs don't like when they're suddenly left alone or when someone new comes into their owner's life.

#2 When they're acting up because they're left alone it's called separation anxiety and it's not pretty.

#3 Dogs with separation anxiety will generally exhibit the following behaviors when left alone:

Destructive behaviors, such as chewing pillows or furniture, mutilating plants, or relentless scratching at doors and windows

Constant barking, whining or howling

Urinating or defecating indoors

Intense, persistent pacing

Attempting to "escape" a room or crate to the point of self-injury

Physiological responses, such as dilated pupils or excessive panting

#4 There are two types of separation anxiety; Simulated anxiety and true dog separation anxiety.

#5 In simulated separation anxiety, the dog knows that he will get attention if he acts up.

For some dogs, even being verbally reprimanded for such behavior is rewarding because he feels he was noticed.

#6 True separation anxiety,causes the dog to experience real stress during the absence of his owner.

#7 Simulated separation anxiety is fairly easy to overcome.

Slowly increasing the amount of time spent in a cratewhen you are at home as well as awayconsistent obedience training, proper amounts of exercise, and strong leadership.

#8 How to treat minor separation anxiety:

Don't make a big deal out of arrivals and departures. For example, when you arrive home, ignore your dog for the first few minutes then calmly pet him.

Leave your dog with an article of clothing that smells like you, such as an old T-shirt that you've slept in recently.

Establish a safety cuea word or action that you use every time you leave that tells your dog you'll be back.

Consider using an over-the-counter calming product that may reduce fearfulness in dog

#9 How to handle a more severe problem.

Use the techniques outlined above along with desensitization training. Teach your dog the sit-stay and down-stay commands using positive reinforcement. This training will help her learn that she can remain calmly and happily in one place while you go to another room.

Create a "safe place" to limit your dog's ability to be destructive. A safe place should:

Confine the dog loosely rather than strictly (a room with a window and toys, not total isolation)

Contain busy toys for distraction

Have dirty laundry to lend a calming scent cue or other safety cues

#10 What NOT to do and will not help:

Punishment. Punishment isn't effective for treating separation anxiety and can make the situation worse.

Another dog. Getting your dog a companion usually doesn't help an anxious dog because his anxiety is the result of her separation from you, not just the result of being alone.

Crating. Your dog will still engage in anxiety responses inside a crate, and she may urinate, defecate, howl or even injure herself in an attempt to escape. Instead, create other kinds of "safe places" as described above.

Radio/TV noise. Leaving the radio or television on won't help (unless the radio or TV is used as a safety cue).

Obedience training. While formal training is always a good idea, separation anxiety isn't the result of disobedience or lack of training; therefore, that won't help this particular issue.

#11 So, if you don't want a whiny puppy, try to prevent it like this:

All too often a puppy taken from the litter begins to cry when left alone. This is a big change for the pup, they no longer have the pack they were born with. When he cries, we go and pick him up and show sympathyhis crying is rewarded. Later, if he is crying in a crate, and you let him out he is being rewarded for his crying. Make sure you're only rewarding desired behavior.

#12 Separation anxiety can be overcome, you can turn some dogs around fairly quickly, with others, it takes time, patience, and consistency.

#13 Dogs can also and often get jealous of anyone taking up their owner's attention.

Dogs become jealous when they fear their place in the "family pack" or in your heart is being threatened. A new boyfriend or girlfriend, a new pet, or a new baby can turn your dog green.

#14 You and your new puppy love each other but what can you do when the jealous puppy hates your date?

Moderate jealousy usually goes away once Rex adjusts to the new person or pet, but serious cases can escalate to aggression to keep that "interloper" in the proper place.

#15 Jealousy in dogs is not cute, and we encourage bad behavior each time the dog is allowed to display this emotion with no correction from us.

#16 Solutions to Dog Jealousy:

Choose Neutral Territory. Dogs feel proprietary about their house and yard, as well as you. Introduce your dogs to your new "beau" on neutral territories, such as a dog park. Give your human love a chance to play ball and make friends with Rex before entering your house and becoming a threat.

Boost Pet Confidence. Many puppies feel shy or even fearful around strangers. Ask your human guest to avoid making eye contact, which can communicate a threat shy dogs, and to ignore the pet. That can generate curiosity and build confidence so pets want to investigate further.

Let Pets Make the First Move. Don't force introductions. When the puppy does approach, demonstrate how to greet your pet. Offer a closed hand below the pet's chin level for a proper dog sniff. Pets feel intimidated by strange hands coming down toward their heads, so avoid petting unless the pup asks for it. Also, a puppy used to a female owner may feel intimidated by a male visitor who is taller, smells different, has a louder and lower-pitched voice, and walks with a heavier tread.

Diffuse The Angst. Fearful dogs may benefit from using a canine pheromone product called Comfort Zone with DAP that helps diffuse fear.

Love Pets With Goodies. Help your pets associate the new person in your life with only good things. For instance, ask your soul mate to fill the food bowl, offer tasty treats, and engage in fun interactive games. The one who controls the resources (food and fun) is most respected in dog society. You want jealous pups to associate the new person in your life with only good things, and be the key to tasty treats and Frisbee fun.

Don't Ignore The Fur-Kids. Make special time for your pets when you pay attention to the newcomer in the house. Ignoring the pup in favor of the new person tells your pet he must compete for your attention. While you snuggle with your beau, make room on your lap for the puppy or toss tasty treats for him to fetch, so he associates the new person with good things. If pups only get these "special" bonuses when your soul mate is present, the dog will be more likely to open his heart to the new person's presence.

Make Them Smell Alike. Help your pup feel less fearful by making the new person smell more like youin other words, safe. Have the new person use some of your familiar hand lotion, for example, or wear a tee shirt that you've first worn but not yet washed.

Offer A Consolation Prize. If you must change access to certain rooms or furniture such as the bed, do so gradually and give your pup a better alternative. For instance, offer him a puzzle toy filled with scrumptious treats that the pup only gets when your fiancé visits. Instead of closing the door, set up a baby gate so the pup can still keep an eye on the situation and doesn't feel left out.