Dachshund Separation anxiety is a common problem. For some owners it is a mild inconvenience, your dachshund barking for a few minutes when you leave the house. For others, including myself, Dachshund separation anxiety becomes a nightmare. I dreaded coming home, fearing that I will find my furniture chewed, feces or urine on the carpets, or even worse, the carpets pulled up. I used to think there was no hope, but I was wrong.
Causes of Dachshund Separation Anxiety.
Dachshunds are pack animals and are attached to their pack leader. When left alone, some Dachshunds think they have been kicked out of the pack. Others see themselves as pack leader and are anxious because you as a follower have left the pack. Either way, the problem is that you are not seen as an effective pack leader. You must show your Dachshund that you are in control and will always return home. Dachshund separation anxiety should decrease once your Dachshund acknowledges you as alpha. They will become more relaxed and less stressed knowing you will handle any problems.
Other Dachshunds become anxious because of the routine you have when leaving the house. If you give your Dachshund attention and then immediately leave the house they will often become anxious. Completing this routine day after day, their anxiety increases and becomes uncontrollable separation anxiety.
Not all Dachshund anxiety actually is separation anxiety. Dachshunds are very bright and active dogs and if they don't get enough exercise or have sufficient toys to occupy themselves with while you are gone they will find things to do. This often involves destroying your home.
Reducing Dachshund Separation Anxiety.
There are many ways to reduce Dachshund separation celebrating the dachshund bobblehead anxiety. Here are a few simple techniques.
1. Exercise. Give your Dachshund walks of at least thirty minutes, twice a day. In addition to being good for them, exercise will tire your Dachshund out and make them more likely to sleep and less likely to be destructive while you are away. Remember though, when you return home go about your normal routine for at least 15 minutes before greeting your Dachshund.
2. Alter Your Routine. Watch your Dachshund, and change your routine at the first sign that they become anxious. You may need to get up at different times, shower later, or perhaps get your keys and bag ready then wait a while before actually leaving. Small changes can have a significant effect on your Dachshunds separation anxiety.
3. Do Not Reinforce Separation Anxiety. If you give your Dachshund attention as you are leaving or immediately on returning home, you are actually reinforcing your Dachshunds anxiety. When you leave don't stroke them, and when you come home go about your normal routine for at least 15 minutes before paying them any attention. This breaks the association your Dachshund has made between getting attention and being left alone.
4. Build Up Gradually. If your Dachshund separation anxiety starts as soon as you leave the house you need to reduce the time you are away. You can practice by leaving for a few seconds, remembering when you return to not pay your Dachshund any attention for at least 15 minutes. Gradually increase and vary the time you are away. This changes your Dachshunds expectations and reinforces to them that you will always come back.
