Separation anxiety in Labradoodles can turn into a serious behavioral issue if it’s not being dealt with properly.
Ever since their creation, they have been a popular dog breed, and Labradoodles are known for their friendly disposition and social interactions.
This makes these dogs quite prone to suffer from separation anxiety.
Failure to recognize and deal with this problem can lead to serious trouble, including destructive behavior and self-harm, in your dog.
Are Labradoodles prone to separation anxiety?
It is quite common to see separation anxiety in Labradoodles, as the breed was created from Labrador Retrievers that were originally meant to be out with humans hunting all day long.
A highly intelligent breed, these dogs have a tendency to get bored easily unless they have sufficient mental stimulation.
Labradoodles are also known for their extreme loyalty and love being with their owners and families.
And while loyalty and intelligence are two very desirable traits of these dogs, the combination of these traits also contributes to the pervasiveness of separation anxiety in Labradors.
These dogs can really feel the absence of their master more than other breed and feel abandoned when neglected for long periods of time.
What Are the Signs of Separation Anxiety in Labradoodles?
Your Labradoodle may begin to act unusually when he catches on that you are about to leave.
Some signs of separation anxiety in Labradoodles are:
- Excessive barking or howling
- Self-licking
- Destructive behavior
- Frequent urination
- Drooling
- Shivering
- Attempts to escape
- Biting off his own paws or legs
- RELATED ARTICLE: ANXIETY IN A LABRADOODLE, AND HOW TO HELP
What Should I Do to Prevent Labradoodle Separation Anxiety?
There are a few things you should do to prevent the risk of separation anxiety in your Labradoodle.
Attend to Your Labradoodles Basic Needs
You should always make sure to attend to your Labradoodles needs before you leave the house.
Feed him, walk him, play with him, and always be sure that he has had his potty break.
If you do these things prior leaving, it may keep your Labradoodle satisfied and reduce his tendency to be jittery.
Having followed his usual routine, he is much less likely to become scared about what’s to come.
Keep Him Entertained
Another dog or puppy can also help keep your Labradoodle entertained and engaged and he will never feel alone.
But if you aren’t ready for any additional family members just yet, there are several great toys that can help keep your Labradoodle busy.
The KONG Extreme has been a bestseller for many years for a good reason.
Just fill it with some food, and depending on the dog there could be entertainment for him for a long time.
You can see the current price HERE.
I’ve bought this together with the Goodie Bone, and the Tires Extreme, and my dog absolutely loves these things.
Be Wary of Your Actions
That fact that Labradoodles are so intelligent also means that they can easily identify your actions when you are about to leave him for the day.
He can even connect signs such as you putting on your shoes, putting on lipstick, as things you typically do before leaving home.
If you want to prevent your Labradoodle from picking up signs that you are about to leave, you can try and change your “pre-departure” routine every once in a while.
Just Leave
As a loving and caring dog-owner, we have a tendency to say our goodbyes to our dogs in overly dramatic ways.
Simply try to just leave the house without giving your Doodle any sign he’ll be able to associate with you leaving.
Train Your Labradoodle to be Alone
This is by far the best solution to stop separation anxiety in Labradoodles.
Being with brief absences and slowly increase the time you spend outside.
Observe your Labradoodles reaction every time you leave.
Attempt to listen to your Labradoodle from outside your house and check his attitude when you return.
- RELATED ARTICLE: CAN A LABRADOODLE BE LEFT ALONE
Crate Train Your Labradoodle
Some owners have the assumption that putting dogs in crates is cruelty, but if it’s something you only do for short periods of time, it is simply not the case.
Crate training a dog has many benefits for not only the owner but also for your dog.
If done properly, it can teach a dog that the crate is his safe haven for him and that it’s a place where he can always go if he wants to relax or just being left alone for a bit.
This can greatly help lessen your Labradoodles’ fear of being left alone.
- RELATED ARTICLE: CRATE TRAINING A LABRADOODLE PUPPY
Can Punishments Help to Deal With Separation Anxiety in Labradoodles?
Some so-called dog-experts advocate the use of punishments as a viable training method, but I have yet to see a single science-backed study that supports those claims.
But there are several studies that show that punishment only makes a dog more aggressive.
Never punish your Labradoodle if he displays destructive behaviors due to separation anxiety.
A dog doesn’t understand the concept of punishment.
Some dogs might even think that the punishment is at least better than being left alone and this will only lead to even more issues with their behavior.
Are There Medications Available to Treat Separation Anxiety in Labradoodles?
In the most severe cases wherein the dog resorts to self-harm, veterinarians can prescribe medications to help ease the separation anxiety in Labradoodles.
One of the most common medications given to dogs with anxiety is diphenhydramine. This is an over-the-counter antihistamine that has sedative properties.
But before giving your Labradoodle any drugs, you should always contact your veterinarian.
Many dog owners have also reported that special anxiety toys for dogs have helped their furry friends a lot, and many of our readers reported that the Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Toy has been the best purchase they’ve ever done.
Conclusion
This was some of my tips regarding how you should deal with separation anxiety in Labradoodles, and methods that have helped me greatly through the year.
But if you have other tips or tricks that have helped you, I would be more than happy to hear your comment below.
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