Pets become attached to their owners and so separation anxiety can be a concern. Some suggest that relaxation tapes can help. If your dog is having a rough time, will these tapes make the situation better?
Dogs like music. Sometimes they even croon along with us when we belt out our favorite tunes. Since they like tunes, can musical sounds calm the savage beastie?
We are not talking about your average relaxation tape. There is no mantra to repeat. Instead, the relaxation is geared towards your canine and his likes.
What do dogs like? They come running when they hear their master’s voice. Tummy rubs make them howl with delight. Certain noises get them going, too.
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A tape filled with these sounds should keep them from chewing the house down while you are gone. There is a pet communicator who has developed a CD of dog songs that are soothing to them. Dogs seem to like upbeat music that talks about things they like: food, stomach rubs, and sleeping.
You can purchase a CD like this or another that talks about activities that will relax your dog. A relaxation tape that includes music will calm your dog when you are gone.
Start off listening to the tape with your dog so he doesn’t just associate the relaxation tape with you leaving the house. Vary your relaxation tapes so dog doesn’t get used to just one voice.
Listening to it with him let’s you see for yourself how they respond. You may have to try out several different tapes until you find one that catches your dog’s attention. Tapes that use phrases that you use when you do relaxing things with your dog are going to be the most helpful. Dogs will zero in on certain key words. Words that mean good things such as “food”, “sleep”, and “good dog” will be familiar to them.
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Once you find a tape, put it to the test. Turn it on and leave the house for a few minutes. Try this over several days, staying away longer each time. When you return, don’t announce it. Casually slip into his presence and enjoy the tape with him. If your dog is alone for several hours at a time, consider a relaxation CD on continuous play so that they have a constant source of companionship.
Many dogs experience separation anxiety because of emotion from their owners. Announcing your departure and return is exciting for you, but stressful for your dog. All that pent up emotion when you leave can result in misbehavior until you return.
Even with relaxation tapes, the process of reducing separation anxiety is not an overnight thing. If you have been giving caffeine-induced good-byes for the last two months, dog will have to adjust. No matter if the voice on the tape is singing or applying a sing-song rhythm to their words, the tone should be calm and soothing.
Do relaxation tapes work for separation anxiety? That depends on your dog and your patience. New habits take time to form, but perseverance will win out. As the tapes help to reduce his anxiety, your dog will be better able to handle herself/ himself when you leave the house.
