When a dog has separation anxiety, it will display distress when left alone and may engage in destructive behaviors like constant barking, howling, and urinating on things. Failure to address separation anxiety early enough can result in both psychological and physical decline. Tonya Wilhelm, a renowned dog training specialist, public speaker and author, assures that separation anxiety is manageable as long you have a proper plan and execute it diligently. She was recently recognized as one of the top 10 dog trainers in the US.
THK: What causes separation anxiety in dogs?
Separation anxiety for dogs can arise from various situations including changes in the household such as adding or losing a family member, the arrival of a new baby, a child leaving for school, or the passing of a family pet. Traumatic events like thunderstorms, construction, fire, or home robbery can also trigger separation anxiety. Additionally, dogs may feel overwhelmed when left at a boarding facility, shelter, groomer, or veterinarian’s office. Lack of experience in being alone is another reason why a dog may develop separation anxiety. For instance, if a school teacher brings home a puppy during the summer without properly teaching it to adjust to being alone, the puppy may struggle to be on its own when the teacher returns to work in the fall.
THK: Are some dog breeds more prone to it than others?
When I penned Please Stay: Help For A Dog With Separation Anxiety, I extensively researched several studies on the subject. These studies returned inconsistent outcomes, suggesting that separation anxiety can affect any dog regardless of breed. Ultimately, how a dog responds to change and stressful situations, heavily influenced by their personality, appears to be the key factor. Dogs that are naturally nervous, clingy or lack self-assurance are most susceptible to developing separation anxiety.
THK: Are some dogs born anxious or is it something that develops over time?
At present, extensive studies are being conducted on the relationship between genetics, fears and phobias. Despite certain dogs being inherently more timid or anxious, appropriate socialization can significantly mitigate the likelihood of a dog developing extreme fears or phobias.
THK: Are there specific behaviors dog owners exhibit that can cause (or worsen) separation anxiety early on?
To teach a dog to tolerate short periods of being alone, one should give them an enjoyable toy, leave the room for two to five minutes and then return. Alternatively, one can say “just a minute,” exit, and then come back at other times. It’s important for pet owners to make their entrance and exit low-key, avoiding a big fuss. Ignoring a dog’s attempts to seek attention and rewarding them for independent behavior can also contribute to their ability to be comfortable alone.
THK: What are the most common symptoms of separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety can manifest in different forms, with a dog exhibiting a multitude of behaviors such as excessive barking, howling, pacing, drooling, shaking, elimination, vomiting, self-harm, and attempts to escape. It’s noteworthy that every dog has unique symptoms and severity levels.
THK: Is it common for dogs with separation anxiety to become destructive when the owners leave? Why is this?
When a dog experiences separation anxiety, it causes them to panic and become disoriented. They may engage in destructive behaviors such as digging, chewing on door frames or window sills, and indiscriminately eating whatever is within reach. Such behavior is a result of their overwhelming stress, which must be released by any means necessary.
THK: Is it common for dog owners to mistake separation anxiety with “bad behavior” or other issues?
To determine whether a dog is truly experiencing separation anxiety or simply exhibiting misbehavior due to boredom, inadequate training or housetraining, a dog owner should initially ascertain this by leaving a video recording device on while they’re away from home. This will allow the owner to observe whether the dog displays signs of agitation, such as incessant barking, whining, scratching or rushing to the window, or if they simply settle down quickly or get into mischief, such as rummaging through garbage. Dogs with genuine separation anxiety tend to exhibit signs of worry prior to their owner leaving, such as following them around, increased panting, dilated pupils, or displaying clingy behavior.
THK: What can you do to help a dog with mild separation anxiety?
A dog that can handle their owner leaving without causing damage or feeling anxious can benefit from being trained to engage with treat toys while their owner steps out for a brief period. Additionally, teaching the dog to remain in a down-stay when the owner leaves the room can be helpful when the owner leaves the house. Activities that challenge the dog mentally as well as exercise can be effective in boosting the dog’s confidence level. Any physical exercise should be completed at least 30-60 minutes before departure to allow the dog to relax. Including a gentle massage before leaving can be a valuable addition to the dog’s routine. Playing calming music like “Through A Dog’s Ear” during bedtime, massage time, and when leaving can also help. It may also be helpful to use calming supplements like Adaptil, Shen Calmer, and Botanical Animal Independence. Choosing a diet that cools the dog’s energy, like rabbit, cod, or duck, combined with Blood Tonics such as sardines, spinach, sweet potatoes, and eggs, may also assist in helping the dog manage their nervous energy.
THK: Does exercise (or giving your dog active exercises/jobs to do) help with separation anxiety? What about puzzle toys or other things to tire the mind/body?
Physical and mental exercise is crucial for all dogs, especially those with pent-up energy. A dog that exhibits stress through destructive behavior can benefit from engaging in activities that release stored up energy. Exercise and play can provide a more acceptable outlet for this energy, reducing the likelihood of negative behaviors. While physical and mental activities cannot completely cure anxiety or stress disorders in dogs, they can assist in treatment.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
Dog training can be divided into two main categories. The first one deals with skill training and teaching basic manners like sitting, staying, and lying down, and is the responsibility of a dog trainer. On the other hand, if your dog has behavioral issues such as anxiety, aggression, or fearfulness, you will require the services of a dog behavioral specialist, such as Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
Begin with behavior training if you require both abilities training and conduct training, focusing on the more intricate of the two. Despite being proficient in teaching your dog how to sit, a dog trainer will be inadequately equipped to handle separation anxiety, whereas a dog behavior consultant will have expertise in both.
Be realistic.
As stated by Fratt, it’s not guaranteed that every dog will enjoy going to the dog park, just as not all humans will develop a love for raves.
An applied ethologist and family dog mediator, Kim Brophey owns The Dog Door Behavior Center and authored “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior.” Brophey employs L.E.G.S (learning, environment, genetics, self) as a model for comprehending dog behavior. If your canine is barking at visitors, for instance.
“That might be a breed of dog that was selected for hundreds of years to defend against people walking in your front door,” says Brophey. Since you can’t train away a German shepherd’s genetic impulse to defend its territory, you may need to change your expectations, instead.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
In terms of training approaches, there are several alternatives available such as group courses, individual coaching, board and train, day training, and self-directed learning, which are the most popular. Although group classes are less tailored, they are less expensive. Fratt warns that board and train facilities are pricier and more hazardous.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
Your decision will be based on both your training objectives and your financial resources. In the event that your dog is exhibiting aggressive behavior towards a fellow canine in your household, it is unlikely that training outside of your residence would be effective.
It’s important to understand that your participation in your dog’s training is necessary, but it won’t consume a significant amount of your time. According to Fratt, she only devotes five minutes to training her dog each day. Moreover, the exercises assigned by trainers can be enjoyable and effortlessly integrated into your daily routine.
Our experts advise utilizing free or affordable online resources for dog training to avoid spending a considerable amount of money.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has assembled certain resources that are available at no cost. Fratt, on the other hand, provides free training lessons through a series called Training Tuesday.
Understand the methodologies.
The field of dog training lacks regulation, allowing anyone with a website, Instagram page, or storefront to assert themselves as a trainer. As a result, there is no uniform guidebook dictating the appropriate techniques for training dogs, and opinions on the matter vary among trainers. However, the majority of trainers can be divided into two general groups.
One category of trainers, such as Fratt, utilizes positive reinforcement. Essentially, this entails providing a reward, like a treat, to one’s dog when they exhibit desirable behavior in order to encourage them to continue doing so. Alternatively, giving the dog something positive can help them form a positive association with something they may find frightening.
Another type of trainer, such as Brianna Dick, is the balanced trainer who blends positive reinforcement techniques with correction measures such as e-collars.
According to Dick, E-collar training utilizes a collar on your dog that is operated through a remote and delivers correctional stimulus to their neck through means such as a shock, sound, or citronella spray. The use of E-collars, particularly those that emit a shock, is a contentious topic within the dog training community.
Dick advises caution when selecting a trainer who relies on e-collars for all dogs. According to her, this approach is generic and unlikely to yield favorable outcomes. Instead, she suggests seeking out a trainer who takes the time to understand your and your dog’s lifestyle and relationship.
Find a good trainer.
A good starting point for finding a reliable list of positive reinforcement trainers or balanced trainers in your locality is to refer to the compilation of lists made by different professional associations. These associations are numerous and offer valuable information.
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Conduct interviews and contact prior customers to determine which trainer you feel the most at ease with. It is essential that they are capable of clearly explaining their techniques for training.
