Dog Separation Anxiety

What is dog separation anxiety

Dogs are pack animals, they are social creatures and so in general like to have company. When an owner goes out the dog has no idea when they will return, if ever. The dog relies on the owner for everything company, food, shelter and so this may cause the dog to panic and suffer separation anxiety.

Symptoms of dog separation anxiety can include:

  • Barking, howling and whining as the owner leaves and then sporadically through the period the dog is left alone.
  • Chewing and destruction; this includes scratching and chewing at doors, possibly in an attempt to escape, the dog chewing furniture and ripping up flooring.
  • Soiling and urinating in the house.
  • Over excitement and jumping up on the owners return.

Causes of dog separation anxiety:

Too much attention when the owner is at home
Separation anxiety is often seen in dogs that are very clingy, they receive a lot of attention from their owners and will follow the owner around, preferring to be close at all times.

A change of routine
If the dog has got used to people being around most of the time and then suddenly this changes, for example grown up kids go off to college or a change of working hours a dog could start to have separation anxiety

The previous treatment of the dog
Dogs that have been neglected and in and out of shelters may become anxious that they have again been abandoned.

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Dog separation anxiety cures:

Exercise
Take your dog out for a long walk before you go out and leave them alone. A dog that is worn out is far more likely to be less anxious than one that is full of energy.

Practice leaving the dog for short periods
Start by practicing leaving you dog for a very short period – just a minute or two. Make sure you don’t make a big deal out of leaving DO NOT make a fuss of the dog just leave without looking back. After a couple of minutes return to the house and ignore your dog even if he is jumping up and trying to get your attention. Make yourself a cup of coffee or do a quick chore anything to stop yourself from engaging with your dog. Only when your dog calms down should you say hello, but still without too much of a fuss. Gradually build up the amount of time that you leave the dog – again each time not making a big deal out of leaving or returning.

Leave the dog with a treat toy
Leave the dog with a stuffed frozen Kong or treat toy to take his mind of the fact that you are leaving, but make sure you still don’t make a fuss of leaving. You can also leave you dog with a chew toy.

Leave a radio or television on
Some people think that leaving some background noise can be comforting and lower the amount of dog separation anxiety.

Have place your dog feels safe
Make sure your dog has a place he feels safe in the area you leave him on his own this could be a crate, basket or blanket – you can make these places appealing by hiding treats in them when you are there. Only leave your dog shut in a crate if he has been thoroughly crate trained and “likes” being in his crate, otherwise leave the crate door open. Although a crate is useful as it takes away the ability to be destructive you don’t want your dog to be panicking at having being shut in the crate and injuring themselves attempting to escape.

The over clingy dog
For the velcro dog – the dog that follows you around whenever you are home, you need to start putting some distance between you and your dog. When you leave a room for a few minutes shut the door so your dog can’t follow you. When you return don’t pay any attention to your dog. If your dog nudges you to pat him, try ignoring him, when you want to pat him call him to you on your terms. Eventually your dog should start feeling more comfortable having some time on his own.

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