Separation Anxiety?
This is a very common condition, affecting many pets.
A combination of Fears and Anxieties, plus reconditioning exercises aimed at helping a pet feel more relaxed, secure and less stressed when being left, is effective for separation anxiety in many cases.
One approach that often works well, is as follows:
- Using a clean finger, gently dab a drop of Fears and Anxieties on the lips and a paw. Also stir a few drops into your pet’s drinking water. For added support, sprinkle several drops on bedding and in areas where your pet likes to go when feeling insecure.
- Leave the house and while standing outside (out of view but within earshot), time how long it takes before any barking / whining / distress begins (this can also be done using a webcam).
- Next, practice leaving and returning home before your pet becomes upset and gently praise calm behaviour. Do this several times daily (more often if possible). After a week or so, slowly begin increasing the time your pet is left (as long as they remain relaxed).
- Continue the remedy and the above steps for as long as necessary, until being left alone is no longer stressful.
Note:
It is important when helping a pet with separation anxiety not to inadvertently trigger or heighten fight / flight responses by making a fuss of them when leaving, or creating a lot of excitement upon return. Keeping everything low key and relaxed at these times, helps a pet remain calm about such events.
Equally important is patience, repetition of reassurance and time, as depending on the underlying cause, it can take some pets 6 months or more to overcome the fear of being left alone.
Fears and Anxieties is not a drug or a 'quick fix.'
By naturally reducing stress levels and reactivity to triggers however, it is a valuable tool for helping anxious, timid or reactive pets become more receptive to the establishment of new, healthier patterns of being in the world.