Although pitbulls are powerful sources of love and affection, they aren’t the most independent dog breeds.
Sadly, this need to be around people can eventually cause them to experience the dreaded separation anxiety.
It may be time to talk to your vet about separation anxiety if your Pitbull has started to destroy things when you leave the house or is exhibiting unusual behaviors and accidents.
If you just want a quick read on how you can help your anxious pit bull, keep scrolling to find out! These experts will have some useful advice, but if you’re just looking for a quick read, then continue!
Practice Leaving: Progressive Desensitization
Begin by entering the room where you intend to leave your pit bull, instructing her to remain there, and then leaving. Close the door behind you. Then immediately come back in. Making a big deal out of coming and going is unnecessary; just treat everything as fact.
When your dog stops acting anxious when you leave or return, keep doing this routine and never leaving the room for longer than a few seconds at a time.
Gradually extend the amount of time and distance you spend away from your dog. At first, stay in the house. Try venturing outside into the yard as a next step. You’ll soon be able to enter a vehicle and complete a circle around the block.
Your dog may be fine for the entire day once you’ve passed the first hour or two and she is no longer anxious. To avoid leaving your dog alone for so long, consider hiring a pet sitter or feigning to leave while actually remaining in another area of the house.
By doing this, you can ensure her security before leaving her unattended for an extended period of time.
There are two crucial strategies you need to use as you extend your absences.
Because you don’t want your dog to assume that each new absence will always be longer, it’s crucial to vary your timing. If she starts doing the math, that might be anxiety-provoking all by itself. The longer she spends alone, the more often you want to return early and surprise her.
Cues provide an important tool to relax your dog. When you leave for brief absences, you could always turn on the radio or give him a stuffed Kong or other favorite snuggle toy. This cue will quickly be associated with the promise of your speedy return in your pit bull’s mind.
Desensitize your pit bull to additional cues that he associates with extended seclusion at the same time. Make it a routine to grab your keys or put on your coat before leaving. That will de-emphasize the stress factor associated with those behaviors.
There are four obvious advantages to crate training.
The plastic, airline-approved Vari-Kennel type of crate is the best kind to purchase for purposes of easing separation anxiety. A fearful pit bull might be able to open a wire crate from the inside, releasing himself or injuring himself in the process, which could heighten his level of anxiety. On the other hand, plastic crates are the most secure location even during an earthquake.
Your pit bull won’t be able to escape and is less likely to hurt himself in the crate than if it were to frantically run around the house.
Crates can be great for your pit bull’s long-term psychological health in addition to the obvious short-term benefits of preventing property damage and the risk of getting into the cleaning supplies.
Dogs feel more secure in dens and caves, as well as in crates. Dogs will voluntarily curl up in crates all day and all night, even when they have free reign of the house, as anyone who leaves their dog’s crate open can attest.
Closets can occasionally be used as a storage space, but who knows what your dog might get up to in there? Leaving your dog in the closet also just seems unattractive. Go with the crate. Ideally, provide your dog with a stuffed Kong toy or other safe chew toy while you’re away so they can pass the time.
Obviously, being confined to a crate won’t stop a dog from barking or engaging in self-harming behavior.
But the reduced anxiety in a crate might also lessen the likelihood of these actions. Crate training and progressive desensitization should be combined in order to be truly confident that they will be gone.
Anxiety takes a lot of energy. And bored dogs are more likely to be anxious. By significantly increasing your dog’s exercise routine, you can lessen her separation anxiety as well as her boredom and energy levels.
This is particularly valid if you engage in the strenuous, enjoyable activity just before you depart.
The fact that many dog owners mistakenly believe their pet has separation anxiety for boredom and restlessness should also be mentioned. In these situations, increasing exercise levels may completely cure the separation anxiety symptoms.
Exercise is an excellent, and in some cases a crucial, addition to other methods of reducing anxiety, even in cases of true high-grade separation phobias. Plus, it’s good for your dog’s physical health, and yours.
Some dog owners have found success by supplementing the behavioral advice for treating separation anxiety with natural calming remedies. Some things you can try:
Many dogs feel more at ease when someone else is present, even another dog. Better still if the other dog is a respected and trusted member of the pack.
Keep in mind that when you leave the house with pit bulls, you must crate each dog separately. When a new dog is introduced into a high-stress situation like separation anxiety, this is increased three times.
Before you formally adopt, make sure your pit bull is comfortable with the presence of another dog. The same guidelines are relevant whenever you bring a new dog into the home.
Urination, Defecation, And Excess Eating
If your dog frequently has loose stools or diarrhea and urinates or defecates excessively when left alone, this could be a sign of anxiety.
When left alone, dogs with separation anxiety frequently urinate, defecate, or chew things.
This explains why they are urinating and defecating because they are suffering from severe anxiety, which can upset their stomach.
Sometimes a specific event, like the passing of a beloved pack member, a person moving away permanently, being abandoned at a shelter, or getting lost, triggers separation anxiety.
But there are numerous instances where the cause of a specific case of separation anxiety will never be known.
Here are a few techniques you can use right away to treat separation anxiety, regardless of the cause.
For Sound Anxiety, Trying Isolating Your Pitbull and Playing Loud Music
Many pitbulls who are afraid of thunderstorms or fireworks find relief in a smaller, more private room in the house where loud music can be played.
However, if your dog also suffers from separation anxiety, it may not be the best idea to leave them in a room alone.
FAQ
How do you break a Pitbulls separation anxiety?
Every time you go out, give your dog a special treat (such as a puzzle toy filled with peanut butter). When you leave, only give them this treat; once you return, take it away. Keep your arrivals and departures low-key and avoid exchanging many greetings When you first arrive at your house, ignore your dog.
Do Pitbulls have mental problems?
National Attention “Every dog is an individual,” Gorant says. “Pit bulls are just dogs, and they can develop behavioral issues if they are not raised correctly, socialized, and treated properly.” However, they are not inherently more problematic than any other breed. ”.
Do Pitbulls have attachment issues?
Pitbulls frequently develop attachments to just one person, but this is not always the case. Their primary caregiver will become the center of their universe, which may cause clingy behavior and occasionally even aggressive behavior toward others.
Which breed has the most separation anxiety?
- Labrador Retriever.
- Border Collie.
- Cavalier King Charles spaniel.
- Jack Russell Terrier.
- German Shepherd.
- Australian Shepherd.
- Bichon Frise.
- Vizsla.