Separation Anxiety In Dogs – Why and What To Do

 

This article discusses separation anxiety experienced by dogs who have become so attached to their owners.

A world without dogs would be crazy. It would be solitary for most of us if we lost our favorite canine companions. Fortunately, almost every American household has at least one dog.

Dogs are animals that require special care and and lots of attention from us humans. Compared to cats for example, dogs are more active and more dotting for their companions.

They are playful, they also interact with other people and other dogs. They show their appreciation to their owner, one way or another. People and dogs became ultimate partners, helping each other … enjoying a interconnected relationship.

Dogs are Different

Dogs have different personalities. These personalities depend on the breed or family history of the dog.

From puppy to adult dog, they are accompanied by their human masters. These people are familiar with dogs and their daily lives. The dog’s daily routine usually depends on the lifestyle of their master.

However, some dogs experience an anxiety that comes almost instantly when they are left alone by their master. These dogs can become destructive if left alone. This is how they express their frustration or loneliness. This is called separation anxiety in dogs. Dogs can become restless and bored, and if they see that their master is not there, they will risk nibbling on anything they can get their paws on: slippers, furniture, any objects found in the house.

In fact, chewing some items that have the smell of the master (socks, shoes, sofa or even the door) is one of the many symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs. Other symptoms to watch for are continuous barking, uncontrolled “poop” and many ways to get the master’s attention.

The probable causes of such behavior often include poorly socialized dogs or living in different homes. With this in mind, owners should re-examine their dogs and see if they exhibit such behavior. This will give them the idea that their dogs may be suffering from separation anxiety.

 

Common Symptoms of Separation Anxiety

Here is a list of symptoms that may indicate separation anxiety:

Urinate and defecate
Some dogs urinate or defecate when they are alone or separated from their owners. If a dog urinates or defecates in the presence of his owner, the problem is probably not caused by separation anxiety.

Barking and howling
A dog with separation anxiety may bark or howl if left alone or separated from their owner. This type of barking or howling is persistent and does not seem to be triggered by anything other than being left alone.

Chew, dig and destroy
Some dogs with separation anxiety chew objects, window sills, door frames or they scratch at doorways and doors, or destroy household objects when left alone or separated from their humans. These behaviors can lead to injuries such as broken teeth, cut and scraped paws and damaged nails. If the dog chews, digs and destroys is caused by separation anxiety, there is usually no presence in the presence of his guardian.

Escape
A dog with separation anxiety may try to escape from a place where they are confined while he is alone or separated from his owner. The dog may attempt to dig and chew doors or windows, which could lead to injury, such as broken teeth, severed and scraped forequarters, and damaged nails. If the dog’s behavior on escape is caused by separation anxiety, this does not happen when his guardian is present.

Stimulation
Some dogs walk or run on a determined path in a particular pattern, when they are left alone or separated. Some stimulation dogs move in a circular fashion, while others walk in a straight line. If the stimulation behavior of a dog is caused by separation anxiety then you will not see this behavior when you are present.

Coprophagia
Left alone or separated from their owners, some dogs defecate and eat all or part of their excrement. If a dog eats excrement because of separation anxiety, they probably do not adopt this behavior in the presence of their humans.

 

Why Do Some Dogs Develop Separation Anxiety?

There is no conclusive evidence showing exactly why dogs develop separation anxiety. Many more dogs adopted in shelters have this behavioral problem than those kept by a single family since their early age. Because of this it is thought that the loss of a significant person or group of people in the a dog’s life can lead to separation anxiety. Other less dramatic changes can also trigger the disorder. Below you will find a list of situations associated with separation anxiety.

Change of Guardian or Family
Being abandoned, given to a shelter, or given to a new family may trigger separation anxiety.

Schedule Change
Separation anxiety can be caused by a sudden change in the time or time a dog is left alone. For example, if a dog’s guardian works at home and spends the whole day with his dog, but gets a new job requiring him to leave his dog alone for six hours or more at a time, the dog may develop an anguish separation because of this change.

Change of Residence
Moving to a new home can trigger separation anxiety.

Change in The Size of The Household
The sudden absence of a resident family member, due to death or departure, can trigger separation anxiety.

 

Dealing with separation anxiety in dogs can be serious.

How to treat minor separation anxiety:

• Ignore your dog for the first few minutes and leave them calmly.
• Do not make a big deal with arrivals and departures.
• Leave your dog with recently worn clothes that smell like you.
• Define a word or action you use each time you leave and inform your dog that you will be back.
• Consider using a soothing over-the-counter product that reduces fear in dogs.

How to handle a more serious problem

Use the techniques described above with desensitization training. Teach your dog sitting and rest commands using positive reinforcement. This training will help them learn that they can stay calmly and happily in one place while you go to another room.

Create a “safe place” to limit your dog’s ability to be destructive during your absence.
A safe place should:

• Lock the dog tightly (a room with a window and toys, not a total isolation)
• Contain busy toys for distraction
• Have dirty laundry to give a soothing mark or other signs of safety

How to cope while your dog learns to be calm

It may take time for your dog to unlearn his panic reaction to your departures. To help you and your dog cope in the short term, consider the following tentative solutions:

• Ask your veterinarian for medication to reduce overall anxiety.
• Take your dog to a dog nursery or kennel when you need to be away.
• Leave your dog to a friend, family member or neighbor when you are away.
• Bring your dog to work with you, if possible.