Husky Anxiety Problems – Signs and Treatments

Huskies are pack-animals and areoften used to pulling sledges. They are also used as rescue animals and are mostly found in cold regions. Due to their pack oriented nature,they are most prone to separation anxiety or 'husky anxiety'. A pack has a leader who always stays with the pack and your dog considers you to be their pack leader and expects that you stay with them all the time. For this reason, if they are left alone they may not be able to cope as it is against their nature. They may feel that they have been abandoned and isolated from their pack.

When this happens, they can resort to separation behavior, particularly if they are left alone for a long duration of time. Their separation behavior can include showing erratic behavior in your absence such as howling and barking loudly. They may resort to chewing furniture, your shoes, your clothes, or anything with your scent. They may also self-mutilate with constant biting and licking which may lead to infections and skin injuries. Stress can also cause them to lose their hair and also untimely urination and excretion.

There are many ways to treat separation anxiety. One of the methods that can help to address anxiety problems is crate training. Crate training should most probably be started when the dog is still in puppy stage. Crate training includes making your dog comfortable in his crate. In your absence, your pet's crate can become a solace for him. Be sure to make the crate as comfortable as possible for your dog.Place some of theirfavorite toys along with some old clothes or things with your scenton, inside the crate. Also make sure that they have plenty of water and food by their side. With persistent training, you can help your Husky to cope with their anxiety.

Another method involves behavioral training. This includes training your dog to curb their stress during your absence. You can start by diverting their attention to other things like toys or synthetic bones when you are present in the house. This will encourage them to spend time alone, even when you are at home. You can train your pet by rewarding them whenever they showa positive response to the training. By changing their behavior towards you, you can help your dog to control their stress. You can also train them to downplay your presence, so that they don'tget unnecessarily exited with your entrance and exit from the house. Regular exercise can not only help you to form a good and lasting bond with your pooch, it can also help to control their stress. Your Husky should be obedient but should not be fully dependent on you for everything.

Sometimes separation anxieties can really take a toll on your dog. They can resort to self-mutilation and it can also affect their health. When this occurs, it is better to take the help of medicines to calm them down. There are various medicines available in the market to treat dog anxieties. Some of the medicines include Clomipramine, Fluoxetine (Prozac®), Amitriptyline (Elavil®). However, these medicines should be taken as a last resort when other treatment methods have failed or when your dog shows extreme behaviors.It is recommended that you consult your vet before giving him any medicines as they will be able to help you choose the right medication and treatment for your dog.