My Cane Corso is very attached to me. Would it be a problem if he is left alone? Or my Italian Mastiff is making a mess when he stays alone in a home. Does my dog have a problem? What exactly is separation anxiety?
Cane Corso, as a breed very connected with his human family, especially one MAIN family member, pack leader, can suffer from separation anxiety.
Some standard identifiers of separation anxiety begin to show as you get ready to leave the house. They can include:
– restlessness
– slobbering
– whining
lack of engagement in most loved food
Signs that Cane Corso has anxiety when left home alone regularly include:
indoor disposal (when the canine is housetrained)
– destruction
– slobbering (proved in wet fur and pooling)
– alarm vocalization
– whining, wailing, yapping (a tone will, in general, be higher, more focused, and persistent)
– lack of engagement in most loved food
– marking
– indications of pacing (reports from individuals staying in the house, dogwalkers, neighbors, or camera videos)
Frequently, a canine with constant separation anxiety will self-harm his paws, nose, and teeth, attempting to get away from a crate or barred room.
A typical target for destruction is house exits, doors, windows, and everything around them drapes, blinds, and doorframes. And, of course – the crate.
What causes separation anxiety?
Many things can cause this behavior, especially for Cane Corsos. Unlike many other dog breeds, Cane Corsos are incredibly connected with their owner. While most dogs are independent and don’t have any issues if left alone, Cane Corso is different. He wants to spend every hour near his owner. Also, these dogs have an incredible sense of things around them and routine. You heard it right; your dog can be sad if your parrot dies. The trigger for anxiety could be changing your working hours. He will know if you start leaving when your Italian Mastiff doesn’t use it.
Separation anxiety behavior is produced by panic.
Panic of a dog left alone, like a child in the forest, and there isn’t his pack leader to show him the way. So, how can we help?
Treatment for Cane Corso separation anxiety
There are many ways you can reduce or even put on control your Cane Corso anxiety behavior. Here are some of them :
Don’t make a big deal out of your comings and goings. You can train your dog by leaving a room for a few minutes without saying goodbye. During this time, you will make your absence longer, for five minutes, then ten and so on, until you can spend a few hours without barking or destruction. The most important thing is to make your arrival dull, so after you return, don’t greet or pet your dog for a while. Give your Mastiff time to calm down.
Identify what causes the anxiety. There must be a trigger like a clock alarm, how you dress for work, the sound of a keychain, etc.
Make a distraction to the triggers. Make a comfortable position for your dog when he reacts to the trigger. If it’s a keychain, pet him; if it’s your suit, feed your dog wearing it, etc.
Exercise your puppy. A brief walk before your work can do wonders for your canine. A dog with stimulation and activity will have less energy for destruction. The dog will be happy with that act.
If you don’t have time, find help. Hire a dog walker or put your pup in daycare from time to time. Keep him engaged and active. Find solutions in your living area.
Train and practice independence. Train your dog command place, where place can be a towel or blanket, and it must be far from you at least few steps. When He finishes the command, reward him with his favorite snack. He must realize that his spot is a towel, not a space beside you. Then you can leave him alone with his towel, and you won’t have a problem.
Give your dog a toy. Seriously, leave a canine with a toy; you two often play. Your Cane Corso will have security and your sense of that toy. It will remind him of you.
What else could it be?
A professional can help you tell if your dog has separation anxiety or it is some other thing.
So what could it be if it wasn’t anxiety?
Speaking of the Cane Corso breed, destruction can be triggered by a lack of stimulation. Cane Corso dog has a very high energy level, so you must find a way to empty it. You can do it by walk, running, swimming or by different mental pieces of training. Just make him preoccupied with anything.
People or dogs who are just passing by can trigger territorial aggression.
Allergies or other fears can trigger self-mutilation and salivation, the same as fleas.
Incomplete housetraining can trigger Indoor disposal.
What are the risk factors for anxiety?
Is there higher risk factors for some dog developing separation anxiety? What dogs are at higher risk?
Cane Corso is a breed known for its insane attachment to its owners. King Corso likes to follow his pack leader everywhere. It’s because he believes him and feels more secure around his owner.
This kind of dog is at a higher risk. They get into a distressed state when their people leave the house. Also, their internal fears can be an issue, like fear of crates, loud noises from outside, etc.
This is the reason more for the good socialization of Cane Corsos while they are still puppies. You must introduce your puppy to every possible new situation on time and build its self-confidence from one case to another.
If your dog was destructive and did some damage in your home while you weren’t there, don’t yell at him. He can be even more stressful next time you leave him alone. Just apply our treatment for Cane Corso’s separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety medication for dogs
Suppose your dog’s training doesn’t help him, or he continues to self-mutilate himself. Then it would be best if you considered talking with a professional dog behaviorist and your vet. Your vet may endorse your Cane Corso anxiety medication, for example, clomipramine hydrochloride or fluoxetine hydrochloride, to assist him in overcoming lack of you and easing him into the treatment cycle. Suppose you would prefer not to take the drug course. In that case, your vet may recommend the utilization of a Dog Appeasing Pheromone (D.A.P.) diffuser. This diffuser plugs into the room and delivers manufactured pheromones to quiet the canine.
Many new vet studies recommending CBD for pets for these purposes as a great solution.
Conclusion
Separation anxiety is a severe disorder for any dog. Cane Corso is even more dangerous than the other breeds as a breed glued to its owner. That’s why we must observe our Mastiffs daily and if the problem occurs, to react as described in the article. In any case, we must be there for them like they are always there for us.