Healthy Mind Canine - Separation Anxiety Blog

  The crate may be indestructible, but your dog is not! Our cherished canine companions are more than just pets; they're family. When dealing with the challenges of separation anxiety in dogs , we naturally want the best for them. Ensuring their well-being and safety is paramount. However, indestructible crates seem to be one of the most common and harmful recommendations on the internet right now. My stomach sinks every time I see this in dog Facebook groups. The intention is usually to prevent the dog from breaking out of the crate, hurting themselves, or destroying the house. However, it does nothing to relieve the intense panic the dog is experiencing on a daily basis and can be a false sense of security. Have you ever considered that the well-intentioned use of indestructible crates may inadvertently jeopardize the safety and welfare of our anxious pups?   In this article, we'll explore the hidden dangers of such crates, how they can cause chronic stress in dogs, and the ...

The symptoms of dog separation anxiety can range from blatantly obvious to subtle signs you may not notice right away. If you think your dog may have separation anxiety, and you're not sure where to start, take a deep breath, and read on. Signs that your dog may be experiencing separation anxiety Excessive vocalization Destructive behavior Potty accidents  Panting Hypersalivation  Pacing Trembling Over-grooming: Creating reddish/brown staining or bald spots in their fur. Self-mutilation: Such as chewing themselves until they bleed. Escape behavior resulting in self-trauma: Frantically trying to escape a crate, room, or the house in general. Generally around windows or doorways. Food refusal Water refusal Questions to ask yourself to discern if what you're seeing is actually separation anxiety If your dog is crated "Does this happen when the dog is outside of the crate too?" If not, your dog may be experiencing a fear of confinement rather than separation anxiety.  ...