Dog Separation Anxiety (Help To Stop It)

Dog separation anxiety is when a dog owner leaves their dog alone at home and shows signs of stress. There are many signs to look for when your dog has separation anxiety.

I have listed below the most common symptoms of concern, and although your dog may only show a few or even just one, they need your help.

Getting home to find that your dog has been up to mischief can be frustrating, but it’s important to remember they’re not doing it out of spite. Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety often become agitated or depressed when their owners leave the house, as they’re not used to being left alone. This can result in them chewing on furniture or other household items, urinating indoors, or barking excessively. While it’s undoubtedly frustrating to come home to a mess, it’s important to try empathising with your dog’s situation. You can help your furry friend overcome separation anxiety and enjoy a calm and happy life with patience and training.

The symptoms can start within seconds of the owner leaving and continue until they arrive home.

Article Outline

Anxiety Signs In Dogs

Dogs may exhibit anxiety for various reasons, including boredom and lack of stimulation. Separation anxiety is not the only cause, as older dogs or those with medical issues may also display symptoms. Additionally, dogs not properly house-trained may have accidents throughout the day, not just when left alone.

Aggression towards people or other animals
Destructive behaviour, such as chewing on furniture or digging holes
Excessive barking or howling
Excessive licking or grooming
Hiding or avoiding interaction with people or other animals
Loss of appetite or overeating
Panting or drooling excessively
Pacing or restlessness
Trembling or shaking
Urinating or defecating inside the house, even if they are house-trained.

Understanding Dog Separation Anxiety

As a common concern among dog owners, the root cause of separation anxiety in dogs varies depending on individual circumstances. For instance, dogs with multiple homes may experience separation anxiety in each household. Additionally, if your dog was adopted from a rescue centre, losing a significant person in their life can trigger this disorder. Similarly, if you and your dog share an inseparable bond due to living alone, this can also contribute to separation anxiety.

What are some effective ways to assist my dog with separation anxiety? It’s important to note that every dog is unique and may not respond to the same methods. While the following suggestions may not completely resolve the issue, they can be a good starting point before seeking professional assistance.

Tips for Managing Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Gradual desensitization and counter-conditioning: Start by leaving your dog alone for short periods and gradually increase the duration. This will help your dog get used to being alone.
Create a safe space: Provide your dog with a comfortable and safe space to retreat when they feel anxious. This could be a crate or a designated area in the house.
Exercise: Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. This will help them burn off excess energy and reduce anxiety.
Calming aids: Consider using calming aids such as pheromone sprays, calming collars, or supplements to help your dog relax.
Seek professional help: If your dog’s separation anxiety is severe, consider seeking the help of a professional dog trainer or behaviourist who can provide more specialized guidance and support.

Counter-Conditioning

Counter-conditioning is behaviour therapy that involves changing a person or animal’s negative response to a stimulus into a positive one. This is done by pairing the stimulus with a positive experience or reward, gradually reducing the negative response and increasing the positive one. Counter-conditioning is often used to treat phobias, anxiety disorders, and other behavioural problems.

How can I implement counter-conditioning?

That your dog doesn’t usually have at home on a day-to-day basis, keep a pot of special treats or a box of counter-conditioning toys, only use when you need to leave the house. Implementing that should stop your pup from getting bored within minutes. You can implement this by providing your dog with a toy or editable treats.

It would be best if you got the timing right. Some dogs can show signs of distress when you’re getting dressed, and others when you put your shoes on or pick up keys. Whenever you spot any of the symptoms listed above, you must start occupying their minds and counter-conditioning. Try not to use yourself as the object, as doing so will only worsen when you eventually leave. Please provide them with a toy or treat or both and go about your business getting ready to leave.

Desensitisation And Counter-Conditioning

Desensitisation is a treatment that requires exposure repeatedly to a situation of fear in short bursts and repeated several times. The treatment will reduce the symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs.

If you have tried the counter-conditioning tactic on its own and it hasn’t worked, combining it with desensitisation can have positive results.

How can I implement desensitisation alongside counter-conditioning?

You can implement desensitisation and counter-conditioning together; we already know how to counter-condition. Firstly to desensitisation, we need patience and time from you. You will leave the house for short periods at a time.

I have prepared the treatment training over two days since most of us usually have two days off a week. Depending on if your dog shows anxiety while getting ready, you may need to start it earlier by providing them with counter-conditioning before you leave. Please note, do not use yourself as a comfort object to make them happier.

Day one training – Estimated time 4hrs.

Outline day one – One pretend house to leave and two house absences.

Pick a time you will start from, head out for 5 minutes, and provide them with a counter-conditioning toy or editable item. When returning home, put the counter-conditioning toy back in the counter-conditioning box.
At least an hour after, head back out for 15 minutes, don’t forget to provide them with a counter-conditioning object. When returning home, put the counter-conditioning toy back in the counter-conditioning box.
An hour after returning home, pretend to put your shoes on, move your keys and do anything else that may trigger their anxiousness. But don’t comfort them yourself. Give them the counter-conditioning object for just 5 minutes.
After 30 minutes, head on out for 25 minutes. Don’t forget to provide them with a counter-conditioning object. When returning home, put the counter-conditioning toy back in the counter-conditioning box.

When you return home, don’t grab the toy or editable chew from them, just if it is easy. Usually, when they greet you at the door, you can quickly slip it away without being noticed.

Day two training – Estimated time 6hrs

Outline day two – Two pretend houses to leave and four house absences.

Pick a time you will start from and head out for 15 minutes, and provide them with a counter-conditioning toy or editable item. When returning home, put the counter-conditioning toy back in the counter-conditioning box.
At least an hr after, head back out for 20 minutes, don’t forget to provide them with a counter-conditioning object. When returning home, put the counter-conditioning toy back in the counter-conditioning box.
After 30 minutes, head on out for 30 minutes. Don’t forget to provide them with a counter-conditioning object. When returning home, put the counter-conditioning toy back in the counter-conditioning box.
An hr after returning home, pretend to put your shoes on, move your keys and do anything else that may trigger their anxiousness. But don’t comfort them yourself. Give them the counter-conditioning object for just 5 minutes.
After 30 minutes of returning home, head on out for 40 minutes. When returning home, put the counter-conditioning toy back in the counter-conditioning box. Don’t forget to provide them with a counter-conditioning object.
Fifteen minutes after returning home, pretend to put your shoes on, move your keys and do anything else that may trigger their anxiousness. But don’t comfort them yourself. Give them the counter-conditioning object for just 5 minutes.

When you return home, don’t grab the toy or editable chew from them, only if it is easy. Usually, when they greet you at the door, you can quickly slip it away without being noticed.

Repeat the above each weekend or any two days you can concentrate.

Final Words of Motivation

Wishing you the best of luck! I truly hope these tactics will help alleviate any separation anxiety you and your furry friend may be experiencing. I have personally tested and implemented these strategies with great success. After five months of working from home, I am back in the office for two weeks and have returned to a happy dog rather than a destructive one.

Please do not hesitate to reach out and let me know how it goes for you. However, if your dog is experiencing severe separation anxiety, it may be necessary to seek the assistance of a professional local dog trainer or veterinarian.