Are you a busy person who tends to spend a good portion of your day away from home, but you also would like to get a Chow Chow? Many dogs suffer separation anxiety when left alone for long hours. Are Chow Chows also susceptible to separation anxiety?
We will be discussing whether Chow Chows have separation anxiety, the implications of having a dog with separation anxiety, and what you, as a busy person, can expect from your Chow Chow.
Table of Contents
Do Chow Chows Have Separation Anxiety?
Yes, Chow Chows do have separation anxiety. Although Chow Chows are characterized by their independent nature, they are also known for forming inseparable bonds with their owners. Hence, they prefer to spend time with their owners and may become destructive when left alone.
What Is Separation Anxiety In Dogs?
Separation anxiety is a type of anxiety that kicks in when dogs are left alone. For some dogs, this can occur when they are left alone, even for a short time, while other dogs only suffer from separation anxiety when they are left alone for long hours.
Dogs with separation anxiety become distressed, and this is a panic disorder that your veterinarian can diagnose. Hence, you should not assume that your dog is simply looking for attention or being dramatic when displaying separation anxiety symptoms. Separation anxiety can manifest in more severe ways and cause your dog to become depressed.
What Causes Separation Anxiety?
The primary cause behind separation anxiety is yet to be discovered. However, it has been suggested that separation anxiety is caused by genetics. On the other hand, your dog’s separation anxiety could result from a past traumatic experience. If your dog was left alone and something adverse occurred, it could subconsciously associate that negative experience with them being left alone.
Alternatively, your dog’s trauma could result from something that did not occur alone. If someone or another dog mistreats your dog, they may recall that experience and grow fearful when left alone.
Significant lifestyle changes could also cause your dog to experience separation anxiety. For example, moving to a new home can make your dog uncomfortable. This usually occurs during the first few months of your move. At this point, your dog would not be comfortable in the new environment, so their guard would be up. At this stage, your dog would be alarmed if they are left alone in an environment they are not yet comfortable in.
How To Treat Your Chow Chow’s Separation Anxiety?
Talk To Your Vet Or A Veterinary Behaviorist
When you suspect your Chow Chow may suffer from separation anxiety, you should consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. If your veterinarian needs to be better informed regarding treatment for separation anxiety, you should consult a behaviorist.
A veterinary behaviorist is a vet who has acquired more training, making them specialists in behavior. If you need to know a reliable behaviorist vet, you can ask your regular vet to recommend a behaviorist or consult one on your behalf.
Dealing with your Chow Chow’s separation anxiety medically is more effective and efficient than trying to deal with it at home. When your Chow Chow has an issue you are unsure about, I suggest you consult a professional. That will ensure that your Chow gets the necessary treatment timeously and is not left to suffer for more time than necessary.
Meet Your Dog’s Needs
Ensuring that you meet your Chow Chow’s mental and physical needs is a treatment that does not necessarily correlate directly to their separation anxiety. Exercising might not necessarily cure your Chow’s separation anxiety. However, dogs with pent-up energy tend to be frustrated and require relief.
Mentally stimulating and exercising with your dog is an excellent opportunity to spend time with them while having fun.
Your Chow Chow wants to have fun and needs to exercise, so why not use this time to bond with them and fortify your relationship? Ensuring that your Chow Chow truly feels your presence when you are around will make them feel less alone.
Create A Plan So Your Dog Isn’t Left Alone
You should not suddenly start leaving your Chow Chow alone, and you should make a plan so that they are not left entirely alone for an extended period. The aim of your plan should be to train your Chow Chow so they can eventually be left alone without causing them any anxiety.
Throwing your dog in the deep end and assuming that they will eventually become accustomed to it is a myth that you should never fall victim to. Doing this to your Chow Chow will have the opposite effect because your Chow would panic even more.
You should consider alternatives if you need to stay with your Chow longer to implement this gradual plan. Such as asking someone to watch your dog or taking them to a daycare.
Change Your Dog’s Feelings With Desensitization
If you usually spend most of the day with your Chow Chow, they have grown accustomed to having you at home. However, when you suddenly start spending more time away from home because you have a new job or any other obligation, your Chow Chow will be triggered by the sudden change. Their separation anxiety will be triggered.
Therefore, you should initially gradually expose your Chow Chow to being alone for a short period. As they become accustomed to it, you can gradually increase the amount of time they are left alone to develop a new routine without being distressed.
Are Chow Chows Prone To Separation Anxiety?
Yes, Chow Chows are prone to separation anxiety. As you may know, Chow Chows are a one-person type of dog. They are not extroverted and social dogs but tend to form strong bonds with their owners and families. When such a bond has been formed, Chow Chows love spending time with them and being around them.
Some Chow Chow owners make the mistake of thinking that their Chow Cows would not mind being left alone because of their independent nature. This is a massive misconception that should not be taken lightly. If you ignore your Chow Chow’s needs, their condition will only worsen.
Can Chow Chows Be Left Alone?
Yes, Chow Chows can be left alone but not for too long. Since Chow Chows are prone to separation anxiety, they become destructive when left alone for too long. Chow Chows also challenge dogs to train, connect with and build trust. Leaving your Chow Chow alone for too long and too often may cause them to distance themselves.
Leaving your Chow Chow alone for too long will cause them stress which can manifest in negative ways. All this pent-up stress could cause them to lash out aggressively towards others or even you.
How Long Can Chow Chows Be Left Alone?
Chow Chows can be left alone for a maximum of 8 hours. If you have trained your Chow Chow accordingly, they may not react adversely to being left alone for 8 hours. However, if you usually spend a good portion of your dog with your Chow Chow and suddenly start leaving them alone, you may cause them to develop severe separation anxiety.
FAQ
Are Chow Chows Lap Dogs?
No, Chow Chows cannot be considered to be lap dogs. In terms of size, lap dogs are generally toy-sized to small-sized dogs, while the Chow Chow is a medium-sized dog. Chow Chows are independent dogs who cherish personal space, while lap dogs are always with their owners and would gladly cuddle the day away.
What Dog Has The Least Separation Anxiety?
The Boston Terrier has the least separation anxiety. Boston Terriers are brilliant and independent dogs, and they are so renowned for their intelligence and independence that a cartoon character was based on them. If you are constantly on the go and have to leave your dog alone for several hours, the Boston Terrier would be the ideal breed.
Conclusion
Despite what we may think about Chow Chow and its aloof nature, Chow Chows suffer from separation anxiety, and this is especially true for those Chow Chows that have been trained accordingly and have formed strong bonds with their owners.
However, if you continuously spend some time away from home and your Chow Chow will be left alone for some periods, you should constantly look for ways to treat their separation anxiety. You should speak to your veterinarian for further clarification.
