Separation anxiety in Shih Tzus. What is it?
Leaving your Shih Tzu for a couple of minutes or eight hours when you’re going to work should not be stressful, but for dogs, a troubling panic starts to set in. It is heart-wrenching for both pet and owner, and there are several reasons for it. Let’s check out what triggers separation anxiety in Shih Tzus and what you could do about it.
What is Separation Anxiety?
Formerly referred to as “absent owner behavior,” separation anxiety involves intense panic, fear, and anxiety a Shih Tzu, or any other dog breed, might undergo when their owners leave them alone in the house regardless of the length of time–from a couple of minutes to a few hours.
More than fifteen percent of dogs in total are believed to have experienced separation anxiety, but for the small breeds, like Shih Tzus, this percentage somewhat increases. Shih Tzus were particularly bred as companion dogs and thus need constant attention. Now what this means is that the chances are higher that you’d have to cope with your Shih Tzu’s separation anxiety at some point.
Diagnosing Shih Tzu Separation Anxiety
As soon as you first become aware of your Shih Tzu pup or dog behaving strangely and unusually, and you believe that separation anxiety is present, you would first need to eliminate other possibilities to make sure that it is separation anxiety for sure.
For instance, if your dog is potty trained and he suddenly starts to pee around your home, then it’s probably not separation anxiety but rather a medical issue like a urinary infection. If you are in doubt, it is always best to consult your veterinarian.
