You may have heard about separation anxiety in toddlers and children.  And for some hearing separation anxiety in their pets is quite new.   They even think it’s quite preposterous that an animal would be capable of such a human behavior… until they go home and find their homes in shambles, as well as a dog with minor injuries.

This is a common problem for dog owners whenever they leave for work.  Sometimes the owner gets so upset over the dog that it leads to giving the dog away either to other friends and family or to a dog shelter.

What exactly is separation anxiety for a dog?

Every dog article that you would read will always tell you constantly that a dog is a pack animal.  A dog with a high sense of dominancy will think of you as a part of the pack that he needs to protect.  The moment you’re gone from his sight, he would think all sorts of things with regards to your safety and whereabouts.

Eventually, your dog will be so overwhelmed with anxiety; he would eventually explode and unleash his pent-up emotions on furniture, doors, windows, and the garden.  And you will find that the most destroyed items in your home would be the ones you always use and come in contact with.  Your favorite shoes, favorite socks, favorite chair, all will be in shambles by the time you get home.  You may even find some dog poop in your shoes or anywhere in the house, and be horrified to know he has relieved himself on your expensive carpet.

What causes it?

Separation anxiety can be caused by a lot of things.  One could be genetic predisposition.  If your dog came from a breed that is known to exhibit separation anxiety, chances are your dog will also be doing the same thing.  A traumatic event that has happened while you’re away like a severe thunderstorm, earthquake, or robbery, can cause your dog to be fearful of your absence.

It can also be caused by any change from the normal daily routines that your dog has grown accustomed to.  Your dog may have grown used to your constant presence because you were on a vacation, then suddenly have to cope with you leaving for work when your vacation has ended. Or it can be an addition of a new family member such as a baby who takes away the attention from him.

And even though your dog does not usually exhibit separation anxiety, he will manifest the condition if he has been left to the vet or kennel for a long time.  A rescued dog from an animal shelter is also the biggest candidate for separation anxiety.

How will I know if my dog has separation anxiety?

These behaviors are commonly noted on dogs that suffer from the said condition.

1)  Your dog engages in wild behavior before you leave and after you come home from work.  This would include whining, clawing on doors, leaping at you to prevent you from leaving, biting your trousers and dragging you back to your house.  Some dogs tense up and even shake when they see that you’re preparing to leave.  When you get home, you will observe exuberant behavior such as leaping or pouncing, excessive barking, and licking.

2)  Your neighbors will say that they can hear your dog whining and howling nonstop the moment you’re gone.

3)  You will notice that your dog will also cry, refuse to eat, or drool excessively as well as refuse to eat.

4)  Severe cases can manifest vomiting and or diarrhea; escaping through windows or screen doors regardless of any injuries your dog may suffer from.  Self-mutilation may be seen in bleeding paws and other body parts such as the mouth.

How will I know if it’s really separation anxiety?

Some asks if those manifestations are indeed signs of separation anxiety and not some deeper problems that their dog is suffering from.  For one thing, check to see if your dog is healthy.

See if you’re giving him the right balance of protein in his diet.  The usual and distinctive characteristic that distinguishes separation anxiety from behavioral disorders is simply the manifestation of inappropriate behavior while you’re gone.

Is there a way to cure or help my dog?

Some pet owners scold and punish their dogs whenever they go home and find destroyed items in their home.  This is not the appropriate approach, for this would only result in a more depressed dog.  He is already upset that you left him, and scolding or physically harming your dog due to bad behavior that is mostly due to missing you will only make him more upset and disturbed.

This will only aggravate your dog’s condition, and can even result in a dangerous or permanent conduct disorder.  You have to help your dog get used to your absence by slowly and patiently desensitizing him of your routine.

1)  During your off days, stay with your dog in the living room.  While you two are together, leave through the front door and stay out for just about 20 seconds or so.  You have to get back before he starts to whine and not when he does so.

The principle of this exercise is have him accept your absence without suffering from distress. Do this every once in a while in varying intervals and duration.  It would be best to do this straight for 2 or 3 days.  Gradually increase your “absence” by 30 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5, until you get to 10.  Eventually, the next day you will be able to stay away for a maximum of 30 minutes or so.

2)  Take notice of your ritual before you leave.  Do your ritual even though you’re not leaving.

• Get your car keys while you’re within sight of your dog and let it create a sound by playing with it.  Carry it around for several minutes then return it back to the key holder.

• It may be uncomfortable, but you may have to sit in front of the TV wearing your coat or blazer.  Eventually, he will get used to the coat and not associate it with your impeding departure.

3)  If you’re leaving by the front door, try leaving through the back door or kitchen door if you have.  That very door that you always access to leave the house is already associated with hours of loneliness.  Every single time you go near that door, your dog knows you’re leaving.  Remove that association so the next time you leave through that door, he would not stop you from leaving.

4)  If you can stand some dog smell in your homely clothes, leave a couple of shirts behind and let him play with it while you’re gone.  At least his attention will be fixed on your clothes and not on your furniture or your favorite pair of shoes.

5)  Before you leave, engage your dog in a variety of physical activities.  Jog with your dog in the morning around the neighborhood.  This activity will enable your dog to use any pent-up energy that he may use against your furniture the moment you leave for the office.  Give him ample food and drink that has enough nutrients to sustain him for the day but not necessarily stimulate him.

6)  It is important to tell your dog that you are leaving and for how long you will be away.  This helps you prepare your dog and yourself for what is going to happen the moment you do.  Make leaving boring and swift.  Do not look back when your dog whines or howls or scratch at the door or windows.   When you get home, ignore his exuberant behavior.

You may miss him as well and be delighted over his display of affection, but remember that you are helping your dog to be self-reliant.  Ignore him for 5-10 minutes and only give him the attention that he needs when he’s calm.  Keep it in mind to praise him when you notice that he has calmed himself and tell him that you prefer his behavior that way.

7)  You can buy a crate so that your dog will have its own den to comfort himself while you’re gone, but some say it does not cure your dog of separation anxiety.  A new companion may also be an option, but a new dog will not always be the right answer especially if you have a breed that has problems with separation anxiety.

8)  You may use medications that your vet prescribes, but that should be the very, very, very last option for you to consider.  For these medications to take effect, you must stick to its regimen every day and never skip a dose.  If you forgot to give the prescribed dose, give it the moment you remember.  If you discontinued the medication abruptly, or have forgotten or neglected to give the dose for a few days, it may cause an ever more uncontrollable behavior.

Take into account that helping your dog recover from separation anxiety is a long, tedious, and time-consuming process.  Never stray from your behavioral modification regimen and always remember to praise your dog whenever he is able to stand being alone or being without your presence.