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Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Separation anxiety in dogs is the most common type of stress and anxiety problem. It can cause an otherwise gentle dog to be high-strung and
destructive.
Does your dog suffer from separation anxiety? Ours did. When we got Hana (a rescue who got separated from her mom when she was 3 weeks old), she was very clingy and
would become very anxious when we left her alone. What we found after getting home from work was generally a battlefield ruin: shredded cushion covers, pieces of
splinters from the legs of our chairs, a big hole in our tatami mat... You got the picture.
Dogs that are properly trained and socialized can handle being left alone as long as they get lots of TLC when their owners return. However, dogs with separation
anxiety get freaked out the moment their owners have left home. Separation anxiety can cause a dog to whine or bark incessantly, pace, chew furniture, rip up carpeting,
dig holes in the yard, eat through doors, and uproot plants.
A dog is said to have separation anxiety when he shows signs of distress when you leave him alone. This feeling of distress usually begins when he sees signs of you
getting ready to leave, e.g. when you are putting on your shoes or picking up your keys. Some dogs also show signs of anxiety when you put them in a room and
close the door behind you.
So what causes separation anxiety in dogs? Read on...
Causes of Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Separation anxiety can be attributed to a lot of causes and factors. For example:
- A lack of Stability, Confidence, and a Fear of Abandonment - Separation anxiety is a common phenomenon among rescue dogs and dogs that have been
mistreated in the past. Usually these dogs are nervous and not confident, and when left alone, they may think that they are being abandoned again. They get anxious
thinking that they may not be able to survive.
- Jealousy - Some dogs get insecure and anxious when there is a new member in the family (e.g. another dog or a newborn baby). They respond by being
ultra-clingy and sometimes destructive when left alone.
- Dominant Relationship - Some dog parents unknowingly allow their dogs to be the dominant "pack-leader" in their families. These dogs have a
misconception about the social structure in the families and may feel anxious and upset when their "subordinate pack members" (other human family members) leave without
permission.
- Sudden Change in Environment - A sudden change in an owner's work schedule or a change in living environment, e.g. moving to a new house or
a new city/country, can also trigger separation anxiety in dogs. Dogs like routines, and if their routines are upset and changed, sometimes they feel anxious.
- Age - Older dogs also tend to develop separation anxiety.
- Improper Diet - A poor diet lacking in nutrients can prevent a dog's brain from functioning properly. This may lead to separation anxiety in dogs.
- Physical Health Problems - Dogs suffering from certain health problems, such as
thyroid or adrenal gland problems, parasites, tumors,
diabetes, etc. may also develop separation anxiety.
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Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Dogs
With this type of problem, even house trained dogs will urinate and defecate inside the house while you are away. In addition, they will most likely show some of the
following symptoms:
If you repeatedly come home to find evidence of these behaviors, there is a very good chance that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, in which case it is
important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible in order to find out the underlying root cause of this phenomenon. Very often, identifying and dealing with the
root cause (e.g. a change of diet) will be sufficient.
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Dealing with Separation Anxiety in Dogs
If your veterinarian has ruled out that your dog's separation anxiety problem is caused by an underlying physical problem, try different ways to deal with the problem:
- Desensitization: Try to desensitize your dog so that he will get used to the idea of being left alone at home while you are at work.
When attempting desensitization treatment, you may have to begin with only opening and shutting the door without actually leaving. This may then be followed by stepping
outside the door and immediately reentering, followed by leaving for very short periods of time that will be slowly increased. Each step should be repeated until the dog
no longer takes notice of what you're doing.
In addition, it's helpful to keep everything very low key - do not make a big deal of your exits from or entrances into the home.
- Plenty of Exercise: Give your dog plenty of exercise - make him tired and happy and he will gladly go to sleep when left alone.
Although it may be hard to do it every day, try to take your dog out for a long walk or jog before you leave your dog home alone. The aim here is to tire him out, so the
walk or run should be brisk and at least 60 minutes. You may want to consider biking or scootering with him if your energy level is not as high as your dog! You may
even want to consider getting your dog a treadmill.
- Leave the Radio On: A radio can add some noise to an otherwise quiet house and can mask some of the noises outside as well. This may prevent a dog
with separation anxiety from focusing too much on each and every single noise coming in from the outside.
Alternatively, get some
Pet Music
 which is created especially to help alleviate stress and
separation anxiety in dogs.
- Use Toys to Keep Him Entertained: Fill a Kong toy with yummy treats and give it to your dog when you leave. This may make him associate good
stuff (treats) with your departure. The toy can also keep him occupied for a while. Hopefully, by the time he is finished with the toy, he will have forgotten about
you leaving! Also, give him several chew toys that you rotate every few days to keep him entertained.
- Seek Professional Help: In severe cases of separation anxiety, it may be necessary to seek the help of a qualified veterinarian or animal
behaviorist.
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Natural Remedies for Calming Dogs
Herbs are excellent in calming nervous dogs suffering from separation anxiety. Herbs are mild and non-addictive, and they do not cause drowsiness after use! Even
better, some nervous-calming herbs are nutritious tonics, providing additional support to our dogs' nervous system.
Homeopathic remedies are effective in the quick relief of symptoms associated with dog anxiety.
Please visit our page on Dog Anxiety Remedies for more information on using natural remedies to
treat separation anxiety in dogs.
Related Topics
Dog Anxiety Remedies
Dog Social Anxiety and Noise Anxiety
Common Dog Behavioral Problems
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