Everyone would like to enjoy their pet, but sometimes they pick up behaviors that are distressing to pet owners. Northside Animal Hospital carries products able to help maintain your pet's mental well being.

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Cat's driving you crazy?
Read our panphlet about some common unwanted feline behaviors:
Feline Behaviors

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Separation Anxiety

Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit distress and behavior problems when left alone. It is not fully understand why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and why others do not.

The most common behaviors exhibited are:
• Digging and scratching at doors/windows in an attempt to reach owners
• Destructive chewing
• Howling/barking/whining
• Inappropriate elimination

It is important to understand that these behaviors are not done to punish you for leaving them alone but rather a panic response to your absence. If you think your dog may suffer from separation anxiety you should contact your veterinarian for a behavioral consultation.

Here are some techniques to treat minor separation anxiety:
• DO NOT PUNISH YOUR DOG EVEN IF CAUGHT IN THE ACT
• INCREASE EXERCISE TO REDUCE YOUR DOGS ENERGY LEVEL
• PROVIDE REGULAR RELAXATION TRAINING TO REDUCE ANXIETY (SIT-STAY)
• CRATE TRAIN TO TEACH YOUR THAT A CRATE IS A SAFE PLACE TO BE WHEN YOU ARE GONE
• REDUCE YOUR DOGS EXCITEMENT AT YOUR DEPARTURE AND RETURN
• GIVE A SPECIAL TOY WHEN YOU LEAVE TO ALLOW YOUR DOG TO ASSOCIATE YOUR DEPARTURE WITH PLEASURE
• DISASSOCIATE YOUR CUES OF DEPARTURE SUCH AS PICKING UP KEYS, PUTTING ON SHOES, AND TURNING LIGHTS BY PERFORMING CUES WITHOUT LEAVING
• DESENSITIZE THE DOG TO YOUR DEPARTURE AND ABSENCE BY LEAVING FOR MANY SHORT PERIODS
• MEDICATE TO FACILITATE BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
• DOG APPEASING PHEROMONE SPRAY, COLLAR OR DIFFUSER

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Northside recommended training centers

Canine Techniques - Chester, NH

Pet-Agree - Candia, NH