It is sometimes difficult for our furry friends to deal with separation. Some dogs are panicked by the profound fear of being alone and may feel abandoned. In shelter dogs, there may have been an abusive past that your dog is affected by. The fear of being alone is quite real and can lead to destructive behavior and potty accidents.

There is no substitution for behavior modification training when it comes to dealing effectively with separation anxiety in your canine. But here are a few natural anxiety remedies that may help the training process a little less stressful.

Following are some natural remedies for anxiety that along with behavior modification can help your dog to remain calm and relaxed while you are away. Let's look at a few of the most popular and effective anxiety natural remedies for dogs.

  • Bach Flower Essences - these plant oils are extracted from the Bach Flower and naturally work to reduce stress. It comes in the form of creams and oral supplements. Either form is effective. If it is difficult to administer pills to your dog, the cream form may be a more practical choice.
  • Pheromones - we have all heard of pheromones, the hormone that induces human attraction. Believe it or not, veterinarians have developed a plug-in diffuser designed especially for dogs. The plug-in is simple to use and diffuses territorial and primer pheromones. The dogs are very familiar with these hormones. Shortly after birth, they were released by their mother. The use of them as an anxiety natural remedy is powerful. They feel secure and safe when these hormones are infused in their environment.
  • Homeopathic formulas available in health food and pet stores. These formulas can be effective but must be used with caution. Check labels and ingredients. Be certain that what you are buying will be safe and effective for your dog. If you are working with a behavior modification expert, they may be able to offer some recommendations.
  • German Chamomile Formula – this combination of herbs can be used as a gentle, natural herbal sedative for your dog. They are available in most health food stores and should be easy to find.

Mix together the following:
1 teaspoon of German chamomile
1 teaspoon of catnip
1 teaspoon of skullcap
2 tablespoons of honey
½ cup of water

Heat water to a simmer. Turn off the stove and add the herbs and cover the pot to prevent evaporation of the oils in the herbs. Let the mixture steep for about 5 minutes. Strain the herbs out. Squeeze the herbs when straining to get the water concentrated with the essence of the herbs. Mix the honey into the mixture and move to an airtight container for storage. This mixture is good for up to two weeks when refrigerated.

When offering the remedy to your dog, allow him to lick it off of a large spoon. Let him lick 2-3 spoonfuls. If he refuses to take the formula, use a squeeze syringe and administer to the back of his throat. You should see visible signs of relaxation within 15-30 minutes.

Having a dog with separation anxiety can be a real problem and has led to the abandonment of many dogs. Many folks don't have the time or patience to train their dogs so that their behavior does not lead to destruction of property or other symptoms that are just as bothersome.

In addition to learning training methods that can help your dog with anxiety, try these natural remedies for anxiety on your dog. They may just save you and your dog the heartbreak of having to give him up for bad behavior.