Separation anxiety is a severe emotional issue, but it is often wrongly diagnosed when it comes to normal canine behavior. A dog experiencing true separation anxiety displays absolute terror when their owner prepares to leave.
According to Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., there are several common signs that dogs use to express separation anxiety and panic.
- Whining and pacing as you prepare to leave
- Dilated pupils
- Panting and/or drooling
- Sweaty pads
- Trembling or shaking
- Non-stop barking or howling
- House soiling
- Destructive chewing or digging, especially around entrances and exits
- Appetite suppression
- Desperate and often injurious attempts to get out of the crate or house
Before starting treatment for your dog’s separation anxiety, make sure that your dog’s behavior is not simply a result of inadequate training. It is more likely for a dog to have bad habits rather than separation anxiety.
What Separation Anxiety ISN’T
- House Soiling
More than likely inappropriate elimination is a result of insufficient housetraining. If your dog shows no other signs of distress upon your departure, try going back to housetraining basics: invest in a crate. - Destructive Chewing
Dogs chew. If you don’t give them something yummy to chew on, they will find something on their own. The vast majority of chewing behavior is absolutely normal; chewing is exercise and entertainment for dogs. Provide your dog with plenty of Kongs, Buster Cubes or hollow bones stuffed with peanut butter, cream cheese, kibble, etc. Destructive behavior that suggests separation anxiety occurs mostly around entrances and exits. - Dislike of Crate/Den
It is important that your dog associate his crate with comfort, safety and feeling good. Set the crate up with blankets and toys and never use it as a punishment. Entice your dog by tossing a few treats into your dog’s crate, and he will happily go in after them.
Initially, let him come and go as he pleases, eventually closing the door for a few seconds while he is otherwise occupied with a treat. As with all training, repetition, consistency and a gradual increase of what you expect from your dog, will result in a dog that is happy being confined.
Preventing Separation Anxiety
When you bring your new dog home, regardless of whether it is a puppy or an adult, there are multiple measures you can take in order to avoid the development of separation anxiety.
- Avoid emotional overload. It is very tempting to spend 24 hours a day with your new companion during his first weekend home, and then leave him alone for eight straight hours on Monday. It is important to acclimate your dog to spending time alone, even while you’re home. During his first few days at home, periodically put him in his crate or den area for several minutes at a time, gradually lengthening his time alone. Don’t forget to provide him with something yummy to chew on while he’s crated!
- Keep your arrivals and departures low-key. When you are arriving home, ignore your dog for the first few minutes, and then calmly pet him. Be loving without being overly dramatic or emotional. If you are overly emotional about leaving your dog alone, your dog will be too.
- Exercise. Make sure that your dog is getting enough exercise. Go for several walks throughout the day–before and after work at the very least. Play fetch in the back yard (or in the house if you have to). Remember, a tired dog is a good dog!
Causes of separation anxiety
Although the exact cause of separation anxiety in dogs is not definitively known, there are certain factors that have been identified anecdotally as potential triggers. Clarke suggests that these triggers might include experiences of being rehomed multiple times, the death or departure of a family member or other traumatic events, or even a genetic predisposition. Dr. Dodman also mentions that a disruption in attached relationships and having multiple attachment figures could potentially contribute to the development of separation anxiety. According to him, puppies form a strong biological bond with their mothers and siblings, and this bond usually transitions smoothly to a bond with their new owners. However, in some cases, this transition is not seamless, resulting in a condition similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where the dog avoids separation from their attachment figure and does not want to be in an enclosed space without any activity.
According to Dr. Dodman, dogs that are already predisposed to anxiety can have their anxiety triggered by certain circumstances. An example of a trigger is when an owner becomes sick, stays home for a few months, and then goes back to work. Dr. Dodman also suggests that the extended at-home period during the COVID-19 pandemic could be another trigger.
There is a concern among experts that dogs may experience an increase in separation anxiety symptoms when their owners go back to work after the current pandemic.
How do you stop separation anxiety in dogs?
Clarke emphasizes the importance of consulting your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog is displaying symptoms of separation anxiety. This discussion will help to exclude any other possible causes for the observed behaviors and assess the need for medical intervention. Clarke further highlights that veterinarians and trainers frequently collaborate to alleviate fear in dogs experiencing separation anxiety.
According to Wood, if separation anxiety is identified, owners must modify their interactions with their dogs in order to interrupt the cycle and establish fresh behavioral patterns. Wood emphasizes that the dog will not spontaneously become calm and relaxed. Teaching this skill and then consistently practicing it on a daily basis is necessary.
Manage your overall relationship with your dog
Wood claims that separation anxiety in dogs can potentially indicate a larger problem within the relationship between dogs and their owners, and regrettably, it is possible for pet owners to unintentionally contribute to these problems.
One important principle in the management of separation anxiety, as well as the fundamental basis of a healthy relationship, involves teaching your dog to be self-reliant during the time you spend together.
According to Wood, if a dog is constantly provided with unlimited access to affection, attention, cuddles, furniture time, belly rubs, and baby talk, it can develop a reliance on these rewards from its owner. Consequently, when these things are abruptly taken away, such as when the human leaves the room or house for extended periods, the dog lacks the ability to stay calm and have faith that it is safe to simply relax until its owner returns. It is important to establish boundaries in your daily interactions with your dog and create instances where you are separated even when you are still at home.
Owners should also be cautious about inadvertently rewarding the behavior they are attempting to discourage, according to Wood. She explains that dogs learn behaviors in simple patterns, so owners must be mindful of the patterns they are teaching their dogs. For instance, dog owners should consider when and how they offer rewards and positive reinforcement to their dogs. If a dog is pacing, whining, or barking and the owner pets, cuddles, uses baby talk, or prolongs goodbyes before leaving the house, they are essentially rewarding those behaviors. Additionally, it is important to never punish a dog for being destructive or eliminating in the house due to anxiety, as this will only increase their fear.
Start small with separation
To begin with, if your dog is already showing a strong reaction when you leave, start by taking small steps such as performing one of the actions that indicate departure, such as putting on shoes, and then remaining at home. Keep repeating this process to attempt to eliminate the initial negative connection.
After considering each step, you can proceed to train your dog to sit and stay, gradually increasing the distance between you and them. Additionally, teach them to lie down when you are not in their sight and give them a reward upon your return.
According to Bassett, dogs and puppies who have this condition should be taught how to calm themselves when they are apart from their owners. The training process usually begins with less demanding situations involving gates, pens, and tethers, while the owner stays at home. The objective is to slowly increase the difficulty over time once the dog or puppy demonstrates their ability to cope with it.
Practice low-key departures
When you leave, refrain from making a big fuss about it. This applies to when you come back home as well (wait until your dog settles down and becomes calm before showing affection). It may be difficult to act like you’re not extremely happy to see your pet, but it’s best to avoid an excessively enthusiastic reunion. The goal is to establish that your arrivals and departures should not cause an increase in energy and emotions.
Exercise is key
According to Dr. Dodman, engaging in a large amount of exercise is suggested as it produces serotonin, a chemical that has a calming and mood-stabilizing impact.
In addition, Rodriguez stresses the significance of sufficient physical activity and offering a means of release for your dog, enabling them to feel satisfied and unwind as necessary.
Ultimately, dogs share similarities with humans in that they are complex and distinct individuals. Therefore, there is no universal solution to separation anxiety. The treatment for separation anxiety also varies depending on the extent of the issue. Numerous experts acknowledge that addressing severe separation anxiety can be difficult. Hodges, along with Dr. Dodman and other specialists, suggests consulting a veterinarian for potential options in cases of extreme separation anxiety, as it is a persistent issue that requires a lengthy process.
Can Separation Anxiety Be Prevented?
Although it may not always be entirely possible to prevent your dog from experiencing anxiety when you leave the house, there are methods available to assist in making your dog feel secure and relaxed when you need to depart.
Create boundaries while you’re home
Dogs, similar to human children, benefit from having a structured and predictable daily routine. Wood suggests dividing your dog’s day into two categories: interaction and non-interaction. This entails deciding when your dog goes for a walk, has playtime, potty breaks, cuddle sessions, training sessions, or outings. During the times when you’re not actively engaging with your dog, they should be either in a crate or calmly relaxing. By doing this, it prevents their minds from racing or becoming anxious and helps build trust in you.
According to Bassett, it is essential for puppies to have safe and early exposure to low-intensity separation from their caregivers. This should be a regular part of their daily routine to prevent them from feeling surprised and upset when left alone at home for the first time, which could trigger certain behaviors. Additionally, as dogs demand significant time and care, it is advisable for individuals who are genuinely unable to provide proper care for a dog to refrain from getting one.
When we are home more than usual, it is tempting to constantly give our dogs affection and pets. It is adorable when our dogs request more petting with an insistent paw. However, if this behavior is not limited, it can lead to larger issues. According to Blake Rodriguez, trainer and founder of Dream Come True K9, the best approach is to not reward this behavior with play, positive attention, or anything that the dog perceives as rewarding. This means removing the attention and adding discouraging measures, such as moving the dog away from the area. Later on, if the dog wants to enter our space, they can do so in a respectful and appropriate manner.
Crate training creates space and safety
According to many experts, crate training for dogs is highly recommended in order to prevent the onset of anxiety. If done correctly, the crate serves as a secure and comfortable space for your dog to unwind when you are occupied or absent, as mentioned by Wood.
Crate training is best introduced to your dog as a puppy or when they initially join your home. The purpose of the crate should be for creating a safe and comforting environment, rather than a means of punishment. According to Rodriguez, the intention of getting a crate is to allow the dog to become at ease in a separate space from its owner, avoiding a constant attachment. This helps prevent the development of separation anxiety that may occur when the dog becomes accustomed to constant proximity to its owner.
According to Woods, a crate should never be used as a substitute for spending time with a dog or puppy. Additionally, a crate should not be used as a place to keep them due to a lack of time, energy, or commitment to properly care for them. Woods emphasizes that isolation is detrimental to a dog’s well-being.
When you do leave
When you’re not at home, you can offer certain advantages by leaving your dog with a secure form of entertainment such as a puzzle toy filled with treats, playing music, and ensuring they have a cozy resting spot. However, when you return, it’s important to remove the toys and treats to avoid creating an association with your absence.
To prevent any complications, it is advisable to practice low-key goodbyes. Avoid emphasizing the significance of departing from the start.
