Leaving our furry friends at home can be tough, and separation anxiety in dogs can make it even harder. The good news? This is very common, and there are ways to help. Doggy daycare provides a safe, stimulating environment where dogs can play, socialise, and relax while you’re away. With daily pack runs, sensory enrichment, and plenty of space to stretch out, your dog won’t feel alone.
Doggy daycare can turn stressful alone time into a happy, engaging experience for your pup. Leaving our fur babies to go to work is hard, but separation anxiety can make it a whole lot worse. But before you start to fret, separation anxiety is very common and there are plenty of things you can do to help. Offering a safe and secure base, doggy daycare is one of the best ways to reduce separation anxiety in dogs.
What is separation anxiety?
Just like young children, dogs also experience separation anxiety. It’s the desire to be with their pet parent at all times and it stems from a fear of being left alone. Dogs who are overly dependent or anxious can be prone to separation anxiety..
What are the symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs?
Separation anxiety can leave your dog feeling severely upset, resulting in destructive behaviour like scratching on doors, digging, and chewing up furniture.
Your dog may also bark, howl, pace, pant, urinate or even try to escape the house. If you notice that your dog displays this behaviour just before you leave the house or when you’re away, there’s a high chance that it’s separation anxiety.
What causes canine separation anxiety in dogs?
As a pet parent, you are everything to your dog, so it’s no surprise they can show big emotions when you walk out the door. Separation anxiety can affect any dog, but some factors can make it more likely.
Rescue dogs or pups with a difficult start in life are more prone to anxiety. Puppies taken from their litter too early can also form stronger attachments and show similar behaviours.
Changes in routine can trigger separation anxiety too. Moving house or altering work hours can unsettle your dog. Instead of stressing over the reasons, focus on practical ways to help your pup feel secure.
How does doggy daycare help with separation anxiety?
Gone are the days where your dog has to be home alone. As a growing trend, doggy daycares offer pet parents peace of mind. You can go off to work safe in the knowledge that your dog will be looked after and your furniture untouched.
At K9 Heaven, our staff offer tons of love and affection to make your dog feel at home. With 10 acres of farmland to, they’ll have plenty of opportunity to let off some steam. While you may have some hesitation around sending your dog to daycare, we feel that the pros certainly outweigh the cons.
Not only will your dog be well looked after in a safe and secure environment, but they will also benefit from new friends and a regular routine. Socialisation, familiarity and exercise are all proven ways to reduce stress in dogs.
At our Auckland doggy daycare, we spend time getting to know your dog to ensure that they feel comfortable from the start. The trial day is a great opportunity for our team to learn all about your doggo and their specific needs. We group dogs into packs with other furballs of the same size and temperament to help your dog improve their social skills.
So, to answer your question, doggy daycare does help with separation anxiety. If you and your pup are ready to transition to daycare, it can work wonders on their anxiety. Be sure to find a daycare with plenty of outdoor space where your dog can roam as they please.
After a few weeks, you may start to notice a difference. With a new found confidence and plenty of attention, saying goodbye to your doggo should become a whole lot easier.
If you find that there have been no improvements, ask your daycare for some advice or seek the help of an experienced dog trainer.