Separation Anxiety

Ask any trainer about one of the most common behavior problems they see and they are likely to tell you that it’s “separation anxiety.”

Separation issues are some of the most difficult behaviors to deal with in dogs because successful modification relies on at least one member of the household being present at all times during what can be a long training and desensitization process. But it is very important that separation anxiety is taken seriously, as it results in behaviors that can be hard to live with and is the reason why so many dogs end up in shelters.

What are the signs of separation issues (separation anxiety)?

Dogs and humans have a mutual need to form social attachments, and while dogs may not like being left alone sometimes, most learn to cope with a person’s absence. In contrast, there are some dogs that become so anxious when left alone that they suffer something akin to panic and exhibit some or all of the behaviors listed below:

• excessive vocalization (barking)
• pacing and restlessness
• whining and crying
• panting
• drooling
• vomiting
• toileting
• chewing
• eating through walls
• destruction focused on doors that are commonly used for departures
• jumping through open and/or closed windows

Separation anxiety has many causes, but it is believed that genetics and/or an early history of abandonment can contribute to what can quickly develop into a deeply rooted problem that is highly resistant to change.

Before a treatment plan can be designed, it is important to confirm that your dog is anxious rather than just bored and trying to entertain herself during your absence. Recording your dog’s actions while she is alone will give you a more accurate picture of what she does when left alone.

Are you sure it’s separation anxiety?

Many people return home after a day at work to a household of destruction and mayhem, and their first assumption is that their dog suffers from acute separation anxiety. Sometimes this can be the case, but in many cases, the dog has destroyed the house as a cure for another very common problem in the canine world: acute boredom.

There are specific signs that tell an experienced positive dog trainer whether the dog is truly suffering from separation anxiety or is simply trying to cope with feeling really bored and unstimulated. The end result can look similar, but thankfully many cases of supposed separation anxiety are actually easy-to-rectify cases of a bored dog finding ways to fill his day.

Why does my dog destroy my house?

Dogs that suffer from separation issues can display anything from minor to major destruction when left alone. Such destruction is normally focused on points of entry such as doors and windows, or places and objects that are more intimately associated with a guardian such as shoes, the bed, or the sofa.

Dogs that are anxious often chew things because chewing can be comforting – just as some humans release tension by biting their nails.

Of course, it can be distressing to come back to a home that has been damaged by your dog, but try to avoid responding using physical or emotional punishments as these are ineffective and only serve to increase your dog’s anxiety. There are better ways to address the behavior and help your dog feel better when she is home alone.

How do I help my dog become more comfortable with separation?

• First and foremost, anxious dogs require appropriate exercise, which is a potent stress reliever, but exercise does not always mean taking your dog for a long walk. Playing games in the back garden or giving your dog some problem-solving activities to do in the home might be just what your dog needs, especially if it’s done before you leave. The aim is not to tire your dog out, because a tired dog is not necessarily a happy dog, but to enrich him and promote a feeling of contentment. However, if your dog’s behavior is extreme when you leave, all the exercise in the world will not help, and you might need to seek more support from your veterinarian, a vet behaviorist, or a qualified separation anxiety specialist.
• Dogs are sensitive to changes in their environment and the transition from the energy when you are present to silence in the home when you leave is profound. Leaving lights on and tools like DogTV or playing specially-designed calming music for dogs during your absence might help make the transition easier.
• Desensitization to departure triggers is important, as dogs can become anxious as soon as they see you picking up keys and putting on your coat. Masking these triggers by hiding the keys in a different place, using a different bag, or not wearing your coat can help, but you might find your dog becomes wise to what you are doing as departure rituals are difficult to hide.
• Putting on a coat and leaving through the door you use to come and go followed immediately by a return, allows your dog to see your behavior in a different light because the coat, for example, doesn’t always mean you are going to leave for a long period of time.
• Constant repetition over a number of days can help desensitize your dog until departures no longer trigger a response.
• Time spent away can be gradually increased until your dog is confident that you will always return.
• It should be noted again that while these training tips can be useful for dogs that do not like being left alone, dogs that panic and cannot settle when separated will need additional help from a vet, vet behaviorist, or qualified separation anxiety specialist. 

Should I leave my dog with appropriate activity toys?

• Your dog might be too anxious to eat or play with a toy when you are absent, so it is important to introduce her favorite toys and/or chews while you are present, building up a positive emotion around that particular toy.
• Once that positive feeling around toys has been built you can give them a few minutes before you depart which will allow her to focus on the toy rather than you leaving. Be careful that the toy doesn’t become a trigger for your departure and make sure your dog has access to the toy/toys you use at times when you are home as well.
• Interactive toys such as rubber toys stuffed with treats and treat balls can help re-focus the mind, causing your dog to release anxious energy on an appropriate item rather than the sofa.

Treatment for separation issues can be highly effective if implemented diligently and dogs can learn to cope when they are home alone. The secret to success is to go at your dog’s pace and not expect too much, especially if the behavior is more intense. 

Related reading

• An Interview with Nicole Wilde
• The Challenge of Separation Anxiety
• A New Way to Play Music for Your Dog
• Dog Boredom vs Anxiety
• Chewing
• Interactive Toys
• Enrichment - The Harmony Model
• Exercise