Loving your labradoodle is great but smothering them is not. Labradoodle puppies will learn to establish a bond and intimate connection between their “mom or dad,” or in this case, you as the owner.
In a helpless stage, so young and innocent, labradoodle puppies will often cling to whatever gives them the love and attention they crave after being separated from their mothers.
What Exactly is Separation Anxiety?
It all starts with your little Labradoodle puppy growing an attachment to you, then growing concerned every time you leave the house. This is called separation anxiety. Your Labradoodle has an innate fear that you will leave and never return.
Being lonely is hard, especially at such a young age. Luckily there are some tips and tricks in place that can help your doodle cope with being left alone.
Like most of these training processes, this takes time, dedication, and patience.
In the meantime, think about how nice it is to take care of someone who craves your love, attention and you being by their side at all times.
What are the Symptoms of Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a case-by-case basis, with those who suffer the most with separation anxiety being hyper-vigilant about their owners’ every movement.
These types of dogs shouldn’t be left alone for more than a few minutes at a time. The most common symptoms of separation in dogs are:
- Whining and whimpering after you exit the room or leave their sight
- Barking and yelping frantically
- Pawing or scratching at the crate or door of their enclosed space
- Sensing you being about to leave and clinging to your side with nervousness
- Refusing to eat or drink
- Nervous chewing of their paws
How Common is Separation Anxiety in Labradoodles?
Labradoodles are a social, outgoing breed that it’s hard for them to accept sometimes that you as the owner have your duties that don’t often require a puppy, no matter how cute they are.
Labrador Retrievers
The Labradoodle is a combination of a Labrador Retriever and a poodle.
Certain dog breeds are known to display separation anxiety due to their social personalities and desire to act as the perfect companion.
Like the German Shepherd, the Labrador Retriever has been noticed to display a decline in health, especially with their temperament.
The Labrador Retriever is one of the more common breeds who are more prone to this nervousness when left alone by their owners.
Despite their gentle and relaxed disposition at an older age, a young Labrador can feel the effects of nervousness, especially if left alone for long periods.
Toy Poodles
While a Toy Poodle is used in the mix of a breeding mini Labradoodle. They are the smallest form of Poodles, bred for their soft demeanor and used as companion dogs.
With this combination, a Toy Poodle is less likely to feel comfortable being left alone without any consistent human interaction.
Causes of Labradoodle Separation Anxiety
As a young Labradoodle is taken from their previous home at the kennel with all their siblings and mother, the transition from home to home is a big step.
Depending on the conditions in which they were raised first, either option can cause a dog to suffer from separation anxiety.
These are a few scenarios where a Labradoodle can end up experiencing anxiety:
- If they’re being left alone for the very first time
- Having been used to human contact for a long time, being left alone can be a startling experience
- If they’ve gone through a traumatic experience being raised at the shelter or kennel
- If there is a loss of a family member or close pet
- A deviation from their everyday schedule or routine
Traumatic Experiences Causes Anxiety
The more severe cases of a Labradoodle suffering from separation anxiety often stem from a traumatic experience in their early life, whether it was being caged up all the time with their first owners or at the kennel.
These unstable conditions will cause a severe disruption in their brains that can cause them to be extremely clingy or dependent on their new owner.
In some cases, in a household with another pet, the dog facing separation anxiety can even become jealous of the other pet, lashing out at the other animal.
This seemingly irrational behavior is from a lack of human and social interaction beforehand, giving them the innate desire to want all of the love and attention that they’ve wanted for their whole life.
If you know the circumstances in which a dog was raised before coming to your home, it’s best if you only plan on having one pet.
Unfortunately, a mistreated animal is more common than you would think, and a one-dog household is the best match for hopefully fixing their relationship with love and others.
What is The Best Way to Treat Labradoodle Separation Anxiety?
The best way to treat your Labradoodle’s separation anxiety is to use the tools and training from a dog training program created by a qualified dog trainer.
Let your dog acknowledge that you are glad to see them by calmly petting them after the first few minutes after entering the room.
While it’s hard to understand all the thoughts behind what makes a dog suffer from separation anxiety more than others, remember that your dog’s behaviors stem from an internal panic response.
A few tips to lessen their reaction include:
- If you’re putting them in a cage, make it homey and spacious. The cage should be a place to rest and have solitude.
- Consider leaving their favorite toys or any clothing or blankets that will have your scent on them
- Have a goodbye routine or use a certain keyword that your dog will associate with your leaving and arriving
- In extreme conditions, a veterinarian prescribed product that prevents your dogs’ mind from getting overstimulated
- Leave them with a bone in the cage that they can gnaw on. A distracting activity can help them get their minds off the thought of your leaving
- Practice acting like you’re going to leave by a “stay game.” Start off by hiding behind a door and waiting for short intervals to get them used to you leaving
Your Doodle Needs You
Dogs depend on us as much as we depend on them. Treat them gently with love and affection and avoid any punishment.
They genuinely do not understand their emotions, and any negative response from their owner can sometimes make the situation worse.
For more information or assistance in calming your dog’s mind, consulting the veterinarian, an animal behavior specialist, or finding affordable dog training that will help you develop your dog’s intelligence may be the best course of action.