If you have a pet, you know the drill: you get up in the morning and start putting on your clothes and preparing for the day, and so does your dog - or so it seems. They know what you do when you get ready to go away from them for the day. In most cases they even know what shoes and car keys are and what it sounds like when the car starts up and you drive away.

Extended travel is even more unbearable, but the separation anxiety works both ways. You know your pet misses you, but chances are that you miss your little guy just as much. For some people, having a beloved dog is akin to having a child - and they depend on you just as much.

Luckily, there are some ways that you can go about curing their separation anxiety. How to deal with yours is another story altogether.

Give Them Plenty to Do When You Are Gone

If your dog has a ball when you are gone all day at work, they will miss you that much less. If they are confined to a crate or kennel all day while you are gone, give them lots of toys and balls to play with and chew up while you are away. It is in the nature of most dogs to be destructive, so if you show them that it is okay to take out their anxiety on the toy, they will feel more compelled to do so.

Give Them SAFE Snacks

There are two kinds of snacks that you can give your dog to ease their anxiety while you are away. There is the kind that will take them more than half the time you are gone to get out of the rag, bone, or ball that the snack is stuffed in and won't have much of an effect on them, anyway. Then, there is the snack that causes digestive explosions - causing misery for your dog while he waits for you to return, an extremely unsanitary environment for your pet, and a disgusting mess for you to clean up after a long, hard day at work or play. Figure out which types of things are okay to give them, and which types of snacks will cause nothing but misery for everyone involved.

Spend Time With Them Otherwise

When you can, spend time with your dog. Quality time activities like playing outside, the dog park, walking, running, biking, or just general romping are great ways to bond with your dog. So are grooming activities, like brushing and bathing - that is, if they are good about it.

Include them When You Can

One of the best ways to cure separation anxiety for your pet is to include them when you can. Don't leave them in the home every time you go. Show them that sometimes, when you get ready to leave the house they are going with you. Whether you are walking, jogging, or just taxiing around town you may be able to accommodate them, either with a leash or a stylish pet carrier.