Brian agreed to dog-sit Carla, his friend George’s dog, a friendly, two-year-old Miniature Pinscher. Minutes after George drove away, Carla panicked. She constantly ran back and forth between the front door and the door to the garage. She barked, whined, and yelped incessantly for hours. She temporarily calmed down when Brian walked her or gave her treats, but she soon resumed her frenzy. She quieted when he put her in his lap, but her little body never stopped trembling. Carla had a severe case of separation anxiety — a dog’s deep fear caused by being separated from their humans. Separation anxiety is an intensely emotional issue that’s challenging to solve. But dog owners can improve it with dedication and professional help when needed.
What Is Separation Anxiety in Dogs?
Separation anxiety is a mental condition in which a dog becomes fearful when the parent leaves home without them. As a result, the dog experiences a high level of stress and panic. The dog’s body reacts through increased blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing as if threatened. In severe cases, prolonged stress can weaken the dog and make it hard to function normally. In one study, dogs left alone were found to have elevated levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone. Veterinarian Dr. Nicholas Dodman suggests two kinds of separation anxiety. One type stems from being overly attached to their human, while the other is the general fear of being alone. Shelter dogs are more likely to experience separation anxiety.
Why Do Dogs Develop Separation Anxiety?
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a cause of canine separation anxiety. Most people stayed home, and their dogs got used to it. However, humans going back to work was a confusing situation, so a lot of dogs developed separation anxiety.
Pack Drive and Attachment
Dogs are natural pack animals, and when they live with you, you’re not only their pack but their pack leader, too. When you leave, the social hierarchy that makes your dog feel secure is disrupted. A dog can become deeply attached to their human, sometimes too much. For example, if they constantly follow you around the house and must always be in the same space as you, they may be overly attached and more vulnerable to separation anxiety. Unfortunately, many pet parents encourage this, not realizing they are contributing to the problem.
Anxiety-Inducing Situations
Dogs thrive in environments filled with routines. Significant changes in those routines, pet parents and family members, and their home can make them more susceptible to separation anxiety.
The Death of Another Dog
If you’ve had two dogs paired in your family, the death of one is painful for everyone, especially the surviving dog. When you leave the dog alone, they will be stressed, as they were used to having the company of the other dog to help them feel secure in your absence.
The Pet Parent
Sometimes, the pet parent unintentionally makes their dog vulnerable to separation anxiety by encouraging overly clingy behavior. For example, a dog that always follows you around the house and insists on being wherever you are can have a problem. If you make a big fuss about leaving by reassuring the dog that you’ll be back soon, you are getting the dog worked up to throw a fit when you’re gone. And if you make a big fuss when you return, you’re creating excitement that can easily feed your dog’s underlying anxiety.
Common Signs of Separation Anxiety
Typical Symptoms
Symptoms can begin the moment the parent walks out the door. Anxious dogs may resort to:
- Barking, whining, and howling excessively
- Chewing on, digging on, and destroying things
- Attempting or succeeding to escape
- Pacing
- Urinating and defecating in the house
- Trembling, drooling, and panting
Can Separation Anxiety Cause Vomiting, Diarrhea, or Seizures?
In severe cases, the stress of separation can bring about significant physical ailments. If your vet has ruled out other causes, your dog may be dealing with severe, debilitating anxiety. There are times when the dog is suffering so badly that the veterinarian decides it’s best to prescribe medication to calm the dog and avoid physical illnesses.
How Do I Fix My Dog’s Separation Anxiety?
Things You Can Do Yourself To Alleviate Your Dog’s Anxiety
There are several things you can try to help alleviate your dog’s separation anxiety:
- Make sure they get plenty of mental and physical exercise before you go and while you’re away.
- Don’t make a big fuss when leaving and returning.
- Teach them to spend some independent time when you’re at home.
- Do not reward anxious behaviors.
- Play soothing classical music while you’re away.
- Leave something with your scent, such as a T-shirt you’ve worn and haven’t washed.
- Mental stimulation. Leave treats, games, and puzzle toys to keep your dog interested.
- Get a dog sitter or take them to daycare.
- Reinforce obedience training.
- Try crate training, as it can be comforting for some dogs.
- Socialize your dog with other people and canines to make them less attached to you.
- Do not punish the dog. They cannot control their symptoms, and scolding will only increase anxiety.
You can also desensitize your dog by gradually spending more and more time away as the dog calms their behavior. For severe cases, however, this will be no simple task. It may be more than you can manage on your own. At that point, it’s time to call on the professional help of a trainer.
Looking for Professional Dog Trainers? K9 Basics Can Help!
Severe separation anxiety is difficult to resolve, so we strongly recommend getting professional help. First, ask your veterinarian to treat physical symptoms and check for other medical issues. Then, call on professional trainers, such as the experts at K9 Basics. Treating separation anxiety may require such techniques as desensitization and counterconditioning. However, when misused, they can cause more harm than good. Desensitization progressively decreases sensitivity to a trigger, such as the parent’s departure. Counter-conditioning changes the dog’s negative response by associating it with something positive, like receiving a reward when you leave. These and other long-term, gradual processes work best in the hands of professionals. Contact us if you wish to make an appointment. We will help you give your dog stress-free, peaceful moments at home alone. Give us a call at (866) 592-2742 or, if you’re from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or New York, visit us at 131 Kenilworth Road, Marlton, New Jersey 08053, to learn more about our dog training services. Also, browse our blog and social media for various topics about dogs and their lives with us!