SepAnx: How to Stop Your Dog from Growling When Left Alone?

When left alone, some dogs are anxious and will bark and growl excessively. This can cause distress not just for the dogs but also for their owners and neighbors. The good news is that you can actually help your dogs deal with separation anxiety so they won’t bark and growl when you are away.

Understand the Root Cause

To tackle this behavior effectively, it's crucial to identify the underlying cause. Dogs can bark for various reasons, including separation anxiety, boredom, fear, territorial behavior, or seeking attention. Understanding the root cause can tailor your approach to address the specific issue.

When your dogs bark, growl, chew, pee, or perform any other destructive acts when they are alone, it means they don’t like the situation. 

Training and Gradual Departures

Training your dogs constantly will help them get used to being alone. You can start by providing them with tasty treats in their cages or stair gates while you do your household chores. At this point, make sure they would still hear, feel, and smell you. You can let them out after a few minutes and gradually increase their time alone while you continuously decrease your presence.

When you play outside or do backyard tasks, restrict your dog in the house with the door closed for a few minutes before releasing them. Gradually increase their stay.

Another technique is desensitizing your dog to your departure. Practice short absences initially and gradually increase the duration. Doing so can gradually reduce your dog's anxiety when left alone. Also, when you are about to leave, spend quality time with them, engaging in activities such as fetch where you will drain their energy. This ensures your dog feels fulfilled and tired, reducing the likelihood of boredom-related behavior.

Obedience training and positive reinforcement will also help you establish a sense of control and trust. Teach commands such as "sit," "stay," or "quiet," because it will allow you to gain control over their barking behavior. Treats, praise, and gentle petting help reinforce desirable behavior.

Provide a Calming Environment

A soothing environment for your dogs will help them calm down when you need to go out. Consider creating a dog cave where they can retreat when they are alone. It could be an open crate or any comfortable corner of your house where you can place a dog bed. You can place familiar objects there, such as their favorite toys and bedding.

You can also leave your used clothing such as socks and shirt in the dog cave to leave scent which will help them cope with anxiety.

Use Technology

Boredom is one factor in dogs' negative behavior when left alone. Take advantage of technology to provide mental simulations so your buddies can have something to work on while you are out of their sight. Treat-dispensing, automatic, and interactive toys are among the things you can buy to help your buddies cope with separation anxieties.

The Bone Chaser is a smart and interactive dog toy that will keep your dog busy when alone. It is best for dogs with separation anxiety because you can control it using an app when you are outside.

Installing a smart camera in your home will help you watch and communicate with your dogs. Many dog owners have seen significant changes in their dogs’ behavior after they installed home cameras and talk to them when they are at work or doing something outside.

Seek Professional Help

If excessive barking persists despite the efforts, you must consider seeking guidance from a dog trainer or behaviorist. They will help you assess your dog’s behavior and provide a guide or training plan that you can follow to attend to your dog’s needs. Sometimes, a veterinarian may provide medications to calm your dogs when they are alone.

Excessive barking when left alone can be distressing for both dogs and their owners. By understanding the root cause, creating a calming environment, providing mental stimulation, and utilizing positive reinforcement techniques, you can significantly reduce and prevent excessive barking when your dog is alone. Remember, patience, consistency, and a tailored approach are key to addressing and resolving this behavior. With time and effort, you can help your furry companion feel safe, secure, and content even when you're away.