As any Pit Bull owner will tell you, Pit Bulls are very sociable and crave a lot of time and attention from their owners. They are very devoted and loving. Pit bulls often have a hard time coping when their owners have to leave them alone. Your Pit Bull doesn’t understand that even though you love him very much, you can’t stay with him all the time. It is important to train them well so that they can better deal with this separation anxiety.

Pit bulls often suffer from separation anxiety for a number of different reasons. Often times, if you’ve had your Pit Bull since he was a puppy, and if he has a strong bond, he just can’t deal with you being away from him. This is often made worse if you’ve always made it a point to keep your pit bull by your side, and all of a sudden you can’t. Young puppies will occasionally suffer from separation anxiety when separated from their mother.

Pit bulls don’t know how to handle separation anxiety symptoms and will often give in to destructive behavior to try and feel better. If they have free rein in your home while you are away, they may give in to the urge to chew on furniture or belongings that are within reach. If you are away for an extended period of time, or if your Pit Bull is very susceptible to stress, he may also suffer from diarrhea, nausea, and may use the potty in the house when he is otherwise not housebroken. Most dogs that suffer from a case of separation anxiety will show symptoms usually in the first hour or so when the owner is away.

There are a few things owners can do to help alleviate or eliminate separation anxiety in their Pit Bulls. Cage training is often very helpful because it gives the Pit Bull its own safe space so that it will generally feel comfortable and safe even if you are not around. Sometimes having a special chew toy that you only give your Pit Bull when he has to leave can help him eliminate anxiety, or at least give him something safe to chew on while he is away. Some owners also say that leaving the radio or television on while they are away also helps. Pit bulls that have gone through obedience training courses are generally less affected by separation anxiety.

In extreme cases of separation anxiety that seem untreatable, your vet may prescribe some medication to help, at least treat the symptoms. You can also recommend other methods of keeping your Pit Bull calm when you are not at home that may be successful. Pit bulls crave a lot of love and attention, so sometimes all it takes is a little extra time when you’re home to make them feel better when you have to be away.