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Separation Anxiety

Pug Dog Separation Anxiety 

Overview

Separation anxiety refers to a dog suffering a distressed reaction to being home alone. This goes beyond a Pug simply missing his owner, but involves overwhelming feelings of isolation that may manifest in a number of ways but ultimately taking a toll on a Pug's emotional and sometimes physical health. 

As an owner, you may feel helpless as you see your Pug struggling to cope with your absence. However, you'll be relieved to know that there are actually quite a few things you can do to help your puppy or dog be calm and composed while you are away. 

Signs of Separation Anxiety with a Pug

Most of what a Pug will experience will take place when their owner is not home, so it can be tricky to know exactly what the puppy or dog is going through. However, anxiety may start to creep in when a dog senses that their owner is about to leave. Once alone, one or more of the following behaviors are usually present:
  • Whining or barking - This may be excessive with some dogs being vocal until they entirely wear themselves out, only to start up again once they take a break. 
  • Destructive chewing - This is often done as a self-soothing technique. 
  • Self-licking - Some dogs obsessively lick their paws or other easily accessible parts of the body, also as a self-soothing technique. 
  • Depression - Not only may a dog feel sad while their owner is away, this may carry over even after they are reunited; some Pugs have trouble 'snapping back' after experiencing an episode of anxiety. 
  • Panicked behavior - Dogs may jump and lunge themselves into walls or other objects. If this occurs, it is generally after several hours of isolation.  
  • Restlessness - There may be compulsive pacing or other repetitive behavior. 
  • Excessive drooling - Stress and elevated heart rate can trigger this.  
These behaviors may change with time. For example, a Pug may act very restless when alone but this may transition into depression or vice-versa. 

How to Help a Pug Cope with Being Home Alone

#1: Make mornings fun.
If you wake up with barely enough time to get ready and rush around to get yourself out the door, no doubt your Pug will pick up on this vibe and feel just as stressed as you are. And, without a good release of energy expenditure, you are setting your Pug up to have trouble with feeling confined and restless. 
So, it can help to wake up earlier to get ready in a calmer manner and have time to bring your Pug outside for a brisk 20-minute walk before you leave. If you also have time to engage your Pug in a short game of fetch, this can only be beneficial.
#2 Create an area for your Pug to offer comfort and a sense of security. 
If your Pug has separation anxiety, the last thing you want to do is allow your dog to be alone in a big room or roam the house which only exacerbates feelings of isolation. The goal is to create a defined space that canines see as secure 'dens' that hold everything your Pug needs to stay comfortable, relaxed, and occupied. 

This can be accomplished by the following means: 
1) Gates or a canine playpen. 

If your house has the right floor plan, gates may work to section off a room. But, keep in mind that this should be a room that is very familiar, such as the living room or kitchen. And, this should be no larger than 10 square feet for a young puppy and 30 square feet for an adult Pug. If not, you'll lose some of the benefits of keeping things contained, such as separation anxiety aids being within reach.  
For this, something like the Carlson Lil Tuffy Expandable Gate may work well; this is pressure mounted and spans across 26 to 42 inches. 
An alternative method is to use an indoor canine playpen. This is a self-contained, open-topped area that can offer just the right amount of space. It is recommended to use one that has a door, since you'll want your Pug to have positive association with his playpen, and leaving the door open when you're home for your Pug to rest or to receive special treats is a good way to do this. 
For this, you may wish to consider the IRIS 34'' 8-Panel Pet Playpen with a Door. This is nearly 3-feet high, but the open concept rails allow for excellent sight-lines. It has 21 square feet of space which is ideal for older pups and adults, though if you want to make it even larger, there are extension panels that can be added. For young pups, you may wish to consider the smaller 24" option. 
2) Place down a quality bed. 
All Pugs should have a memory foam dog bed since this breed is prone to joint and hip issues and starting at age 6, osteoarthritis. And, when a Pug is home alone, having a warm bed with proper support to curl up and rest or take their toys or chews over to will offer comfort and security. 
Beds with orthopedic memory foam and water-proof linings are recommended; the JOYELF Memory Foam Dog Bed is a good choice for this.  
3) Line the area with pee pads. 
Chances are that even if your Pug is fully house trained, if you're away from home for more than a couple of hours, there will be bathroom needs; So, it's best to set your Pug up for success by having pee pads on the floor within the playpen or gated-off area. And, if your Pug is a young puppy, this is a must. 

Even if your dog is not accustomed to pee pads, these are often used by default. Because your Pug will be within a defined area and dogs rarely soil their own belongings, pee and poo is typically deposited onto the pads or other indoor method that is being used. 
4) Leave sufficient amounts of water and food. 
When it comes to how much food and water should be left for a Pug that is going to spend the day home alone, always over-estimate this. In regard to water, dogs need 1/2 to 1 ounce for each pound of body weight, per day. Since water can easily be spilled, you may wish to use a canine water fountain or dispenser like the Old Tjikko Dog Water Dispenser
For food, you can leave a bowl of your Pug's kibble if you will be gone during a scheduled meal time; but another method is to fill a treat-dispensing chew toy with kibble (this is cover ahead under 'Toys'). 
#3: Create a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. 
There are lots of additional ways to help a Pug feel more relaxed and comfortable when home alone. Things you can do include: 
  • Set up the defined area away from any drafts as well as AC or heating vents. 
  • Check the angle of the sun to ensure that it does not shine directly into your dog's area.
  • Experiment with a window vs a non-window view (some dogs like being able to take peeks outside but other will bark at everything they see).
  • If you have a programmable thermostat, be sure that it does not switch to the 'away' setting to conserve heat or AC while you are gone.
  • Keep at least one light on. Even if it is nice and sunny when you leave, developing cloudy or stormy weather can darken a house and in turn make a dog nervous. 
  • Leave on the TV (set to a dog-friendly channel like DogTV), the radio set to an easy-listening station, or play music like Through a Dog's Ear: Music to Calm Your Canine Companion which is available as streaming, an MP3, or a CD. 
#4: Supply your Pug with toys to stay busy. 
A significant contributing factor to separation anxiety is boredom. It amplifies any feelings of isolation. So, the goal will be to leave toys for your Pug that your dog will notice and will enjoy playing with on their own. There are several types of toys that can help: 
1) Interactive toys. These are toys that respond to a dog's movements or touch; they will light up, speak, or make noises. In essence, when this happens, your Pug will feel as if the toy is playing back with them. Importantly, these will activate when a dog wishes to play but will go into sleep-mode when a dog wants to take a break. 
If you'd like some recommendations, there are a couple of good ones:

The Pet Qwerks Blinky Babble Interactive Toy is a neat toy that responds to a dog's nosing or pawing at it with flashing lights and all sorts of silly noises. It comes in different sizes (small is good for Pug puppies and the medium is good for large adults), and the batteries in this durable toy last for quite some time. 
The PetQwerks Talking Babble Ball Toy is similar to this, but without the flashing lights, and the various noises that it makes are all silly sayings like 'Hey, baby!', 'Come here, doggie!', and a playful 'I'm gonna get ya!'. 
2) Treat-release toys. These are chew toys that hold and slowly dispense dry kibble or dry dog treats. This meets two needs at the same time when a Pug is home alone, it helps ensure that a dog eats while owners are away and it can be just the thing to keep a dog occupied. 
There are some things you can do to make this more tempting like smudging smooth peanut butter or fish oil around the outside openings of the toy. 
A terrific one for this is the PetSafe Twist 'n Treat Toy which allows you to adjust the difficultly level and it's pretty easy to clean. 
#5: Offer a companion toy. 
These are unique toys in the fact that the purpose is to come as close as possible to offering a lonely dog an actual companion. These will have the same qualities as a living friend, such as being a good size, having a heartbeat, and emitting body warmth. Some dogs find these incredibly soothing, seeking them out as soon as their humans leave the house. 
If you think that your Pug might like something like this, the SmartPet Love Snuggle Puppy is wonderful. This is a very durable toy with a realistic heartbeat and just the right amount of body warmth. The 'heart' is replaceable, should it ever wear out and you can obtain heating packets as needed. An added plus is that this is washable and it comes in several different colors including a 'golden' that is comparable to a Pug's fawn coat. 
#6: Break up the day, if possible. 
For many dogs, separation anxiety worsens as the day goes on. So if a Pug can receive even a small break with a bit of human interaction, this can really help.

If you are able to return home near the halfway point of your absence, even for 15 or 20 minutes, this small window of time may be enough for your Pug to 'reset' and better cope for the second half of the day. 
You may also want to consider hiring a dog walker. Often, being able to release pent-up energy, breathe fresh air, and have that sort of social interaction can also offer a reprieve. 
Another option, though certainly not for every budget, is a pet cam. This can allow you to see your Pug and also talk to your dog or even offer treats, no matter where you are. Most of these work over WiFi and via an app on your smartphone that lets you choose from the various functions. 

Checking in a few times a day can keep your Pug happy as well as give you piece of mind that everything is okay. Just be careful that your boss doesn't catch you remotely playing with your Pug all day long; if they do, you didn't hear about this from us. 
If you think you might want to splurge on something like this, the Furbo Full HD Dog Cam with Treat Tossing Function is really awesome. This has live-stream video, two-way audio, and holds 100 dry treats that you can toss to your dog by tapping that function on the app. It also has night vision mode and can even send you push notifications if your Pug starts barking. 
#7 Calming Aids or Medication 
If your Pug experiences separation anxiety to such an extent that it is causing extreme and chronic stress that is affecting your dog's quality of life, it may be time to offer additional help in the form of an OTC supplement, aromatherapy, or a prescribed medication. 
Let's take a look at the options, including pros and cons: 

1) Supplements. Calming supplements that may work are those that contain colostrum proteins (considered a safe supplement for dogs) that is shown to reduce anxiety, L-theanine (a naturally occurring amino acid) that works to increase dopamine and in turn reduce stress, and thiamine (vitamin B1) which supports the nervous system to reduce anxiety. 

There are other compounds such as Valerian root, chamomile, and melatonin that may work to some degree. 
When given about 30 minutes before departure, this can work very for some dogs. This type of anti-anxiety supplement is also used for other high-stress situations such as hearing fireworks or a thunder storm. However, it typically is not so potent that it would work on its own without other steps being taken (as previously listed), it can make dogs drowsy, and some dogs may experience an upset stomach. 
If you feel that your Pug could benefit from a calming supplement, one to consider is Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Supplement; this has no artificial additives and are soft chews flavored with real chicken liver. 
2) Aromatherapy. This sort of aid is based a holistic approach that involves inhaling certain scents to improve emotional well-being. It works by activating sensors in the nasal cavity which in turn sends signals to the brain. And, if you don't know much about this, you may be wondering if this could actually help your Pug. 
While there are some promising studies and a lot of anecdotal (informal) evidence, this is not a magical cure. However, some dogs do respond very well to this and it can be part of an overall plan to reduce your Pug's separation anxiety. 
If you'd like to try this, the most popular method is to use an oil diffuser like the Zen Breeze Essential Oil Diffuser and chose lavender oil which is well-known for its calming effects. Be sure to set the diffuser where your Pug cannot reach it, such as up on a table or a sturdy high shelf. 
3) Prescribed medications. This should only be considered in severe cases in which anxiety is so bad that it is interfering with a dog's health and ability to function. 

There are two main types of medications that may be prescribed. One option is benzodiazepines (tranquilizers), which certainly can help with anxiety for many dogs, but has possible side effects including increased appetite, moderate to severe drowsiness, and even increased anxiety in some cases. There is also a possible link to memory issues and the ability to learn new concepts. 

The other option is antidepressants like buspirone. Possible side effects include loss of appetite, restlessness, nausea, headache, dizziness, aggression, and hyperexcitability. Clomipramine is another, with is a tricyclic antidepressant, but this carries the risk of side effects including lethargy, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, elevation in liver enzymes, confusion, increased thirst, increased heart rate, and/or convulsions. 

Extra Tips

1) Act casual and calm as you get ready to go. Do not overcompensate by offering lots of soothing words and hugs which dogs quickly learn means their human is about to leave the house.  

2) Don't turn around and go back in if you hear your Pug start to bark or whine; if so, this can be a never-ending cycle. Trust in the environment that you created and the aids that you have set up for your Pug. 

3) Do not place your Pug in their area right before you head out the door. Do this at least 20 minutes beforehand in a matter-of-fact manner. 
4) Teach your Pug that being in their area does not necessarily mean a long time without you. At random times, have your Pug go there, then leave the house but return just 5 or 10 minutes later. 
5) Arrive back home in a calm manner. Do not rush to your Pug proclaiming your love and gushing apologies. This can send the wrong message that it was a miracle that you returned.

Instead, place your keys down, grab a drink of water or sort through the mail, then casually release your Pug from their area and take them outside for bathroom needs. Once that is done, you can express your happiness and offer lots of attention. After being home all day, your Pug deserves some fun interaction and physical activity to release pent-up energy. 

Should You Get Another Dog to Help the First with Loneliness?

Many owners who see that their Pug is miserable and lonely when home alone wonder if getting a second dog will help. The short answer is yes since it eliminates the isolation factor; however, you'll want to really put thought into this before making the commitment. Here are some things to consider: 

1) The Pug is undoubtedly one of the friendliest breeds that exist. He typically gets along extremely well with other dogs and with other Pugs in particular. However, for some there is a period of adjustment; the dogs may not take to each other right away.
2) It's important to think about the cost and time involved with another dog There is double cost for food, vet care, toys and more. Grooming tasks such as baths, brushing the coat, at-home dental care, etc.,means double the work. If you obtain a puppy, time and effort will need to be put into house training.

3) As a Pug matures, he may learn to better cope with being alone. Owners thinking about adding to their Pug family to ease the anxiety of a current dog may want to give it a bit of time before making such a big decision. 

Some Points to Remember

Some Pugs may never be completely happy when left home alone; however, over time they may learn self-soothing techniques and gain more stable coping strategies simply by getting accustomed to the routine of being alone for a certain amount of time.

If you have worked hard to set up a pleasant, safe and comfortable area for your Pug and you are a loving owner who spends quality time with your Pug, try not to worry too much. Remember that your dog will pick up on your vibe. 

Always take time to play with your Pug and introduce him to as many places and situations as you can. When a dog has a full life of exploring, interacting and enjoying his world and a close bond with his owner, some days of being home alone will not outweigh the rest of what you offer to him.
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