Separation anxiety in dogs: what should you do in these situations?

Separation anxiety in dogs is a form of distress that our four-legged friends tend to experience when we leave the house and leave them alone. 

This form of anxiety stems from a dog’s difficulty coping with temporary separation from its owner. According to some studies, 7 out of 10 dogs suffer from separation anxiety. However, not all dogs exhibit the typical symptoms, so the problem may sometimes go unnoticed (preventing us from taking effective action to ensure the well-being of our faithful companion). 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the characteristics of separation anxiety in dogs, its causes, symptoms, and what you can do to help your dog feel better. 

How can you tell if your dog is suffering from separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety in dogs is a behavior (or form of distress) that our four-legged friend exhibits when we leave them home alone.

Common symptoms and behaviors associated with separation anxiety in dogs include:

• pooping or peeing in public;
• destructive behavior;
• excessive excitement when the owner returns;
• howl, bark, and/or whine;
• he gets excited when he sees his owner getting ready to go out.

The following are some less common symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs:

• excessive salivation;
• tremors;
• repetitive behavior (such as pacing back and forth or spinning in circles);
• self-harm (such as excessive biting of the tail and paws)
• Don't eat the food you leave for him when you're away from home.  

Generally, the dog exhibits one or more of these symptoms just before the owner leaves the house, or as soon as it realizes it might be left alone.

Causes of separation anxiety in dogs 

What we are discussing is a complex phenomenon, and it is difficult to pinpoint the causes with certainty. Recent studies have identified genetics as one of the risk factors. In addition, the animal’s life experiences (such as repeated abandonment and multiple owners) and environmental factors (such as the owner’s overly attached behavior toward the dog) also appear to play a decisive role. 

It seems thatexcessive attachment is one of the main causes of this problem. When we first welcome our new four-legged friend into our home, it’s natural to want to cuddle and reassure them. However, overdoing it could make them become overly dependent on us. 

Some dogs have a strong desire to stay in touch with their owner, seeking our reassurance and attention almost obsessively. We know that they almost always get it. There’s never a shortage of cuddles, kind words, and… a few treats! That’s why the moment we leave the house, the dog loses its primary source of comfort. The result is an outburst of anxiety, perhaps destroying objects or barking excessively.  

You might also be interested in the article " Exercising with Your Dog: How Much Physical Activity?"

What should you do if your dog suffers from separation anxiety?

How can you help your dog overcome separation anxiety?

Addressing this issue isn't easy, since it involves working not only with the dog but with the entire family environment.

Let’s take a look at some techniques you can start using right away. 

• Gradually prepare your dog for separation

Introduce the new routine gradually. Try getting your dog used to being alone for a little while each day. This will make it easier for him to understand why you’re gone at certain times of the day.

• Try to limit the parties when you get home

Don’t make too much of a fuss when you come home or when you leave. There’s no need to get your four-legged friend too excited before you leave. The same goes for when you come home: wait for him to calm down before giving him attention. The goal is to help your dog understand that coming home or leaving the house are just ordinary daily activities.

• Minimize disruptions

When left alone at home, some dogs tend to get agitated when they hear noises or see other animals through the window. To address this “problem,” you could close the curtains or leave the radio or TV on to drown out the sounds coming from outside.

• Leave a special toy for your dog when you leave the house

To keep your dog entertained while you're away, a good strategy might be to leave him a special toy. Some toys you could leave him include chew toys (we know your dog has a favorite stuffed animal) and treat-dispensing balls (perfect for keeping your dog occupied while you're gone).  

Not sure how to tell if your dog finds a toy interesting? 

Leave it there while you’re at home and see if he plays with it. It might also help to step away and go into another room to see if he keeps playing with it (if he stops, it’s probably because he’s worried about you being gone).

• Don't punish him

If your dog damages something while home alone, you shouldn’t show any signs of disapproval or punish him. 

Getting angry could scare your dog even more and make the situation worse. Even if he tucks his tail between his legs or flattens his ears, that doesn’t mean he’s understood and won’t do it again the next time you leave the house: he’s just scared and will tend to be even more agitated and anxious the next time he’s left alone.

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The post "Separation Anxiety in Dogs: What to Do in These Cases? " first appeared on Dog and Cat Food | Alleva .