Our dogs love having us around as much as we like having them around; we go towards the door and they think it’s time for a walk, we walk to the fridge and there they are, waiting to see if we ‘accidentally’ drop a bit of cheese near them, they can be like our little (and big), furry shadows. But it can be tough for them to realise that they can’t come with us everywhere we go, and some dogs find this harder to accept than others.
This is often shown in behaviours such as excessive barking, soiling, salivating, licking and escapist tendencies, which can all be symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs. As pack animals, canines can get stressed out when they’re left behind; research shows that eight out of ten dogs struggle to cope when left alone.
As we head towards the end of Summer, with the kids going back to school and parents going back to work it always feels like a bit of a transition period for us humans, so imagine how our dogs feel? With this in mind, here’s our guide on how owners could address separation anxiety in dogs.
WHAT IS SEPARATION ANXIETY?
Just like us, dogs are naturally social animals and like to live in family groups. Dog separation anxiety is a condition in which dogs show signs of distress when they are left alone or separated from their owner. It can affect dogs of all ages and breeds.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF SEPARATION ANXIETY IN DOGS?
There are some obvious signs of separation anxiety in dogs:
- Howling, barking or whining to excess
- Destructive behaviour, e.g. chewing and destroying furniture
- Toileting issues, even if house trained
Not all dogs show obvious signs though, so it can be very easy for owners to miss. Just because they’re happy to see you when you get home, doesn’t mean they weren’t suffering whilst you were gone. Here are some of the more subtle signs that your dog may have separation anxiety or experiencing a lot of stress when they’re alone.
- Self-harm, biting or licking themselves to the point where they hurt themselves
- Digging and scratching at doors or windows
- Drooling or panting more than normal
- Trembling
- Pacing, often in an obsessive pattern
- Trying to escape
- Coprophagia – eating their poo! Some dogs do this anyway, so the key is to look for behaviour that’s not normal for your dog.
WHY DO SOME DOGS SUFFER FROM SEPARATION ANXIETY?
There are lots of reasons dogs might suffer from separation anxiety. For some it’s simply a product of boredom due to a lack of physical and mental stimulation; for others it could be because of a change to their environment or schedule. Your dog might not be used to being left alone regularly, or they may have been spooked by something once when they were home alone; a thunderstorm, for example, or the postman coming to the door.
It can also be a deeper-rooted issue; for example, when a dog is emotionally attached to someone and that person goes away, it can cause fear, frustration, and anxiety and if they were previously abandoned even the slightest separation may trigger anxiety.
Understanding the root cause of the problem will allow you to implement the right kind of training, which will improve their behaviour in the long term.
HOW TO TREAT MILD SEPARATION ANXIETY
If your dog is showing signs of severe distress when left alone it’s time to intervene. Depending on how serious their condition is, here are some strategies recommended for treating separation anxiety in dogs and helping them get used to being left alone:
- Go slow and steady – When getting your pooch used to being left alone, begin by leaving the room for short periods of time then build it up gradually, leaving the house for longer periods when you feel the time’s right. Once your dog knows you’ll always come back, they should be more at ease.
- Stick to a routine – Dogs are creatures of habit! Maintaining the same routine every time you go out can help to reassure them that it’s nothing out of the ordinary. If they’re used to the routine, they’ll see it as just something that happens.
- Treat them – Help your dog associate being left alone with something positive by giving them a tasty treat, or their favourite toy, when you leave. Exercise – Make sure your pup has had plenty of exercise before you leave them alone for a long time. This will help to wear them out and they’ll be more likely to spend their time sleeping peacefully until your return.
- Shhh! – If your dog barks excessively when you’re away, it might be due to noise from outside or seeing people and cars through the window. When you go out, try leaving the radio on in another room and closing the curtains to minimise any potential disturbances.
- Leave your scent behind – Some dogs will try to create a barrier of your scent around them whilst you’re gone, so leave some dirty laundry near them to reassure them they won’t be alone for long.
- Stay calm – Don’t make a big deal about going out/coming back; giving your dog a long and drawn-out goodbye might make them worry, and when you return make sure you greet them calmly, to reinforce the idea that being left alone isn’t the worst thing in the world. Try not to worry or stress, it’s been proven that dogs can mirror the stress levels of their owners.
- Be kind – It can be frustrating when your dog has caused damage or toileted indoors. However, punishing them for this could be the wrong approach. They won’t understand why you’re telling them off, so will become confused, and might even learn that it’s a way to get your attention. Praising them for their positive behaviour might achieve better results in the long run.
- Know their limits – The most important thing to remember is never to leave them alone for too long; if you know they can’t hold their bladder for more than four hours, don’t leave them alone for eight. In cases where you really have to be out all day, it might be worth hiring a dog walker or sitter.
- Consider crating – Not all dogs like being confined in a small space, but some can see a crate as a safe space, their own little bit of security in your absence. Always make sure this is right for your dog though; it’s not a one-size-fits-all option – quite literally. Check out our hints and tips on crate training. If a crate is too much for your dog, they might be better off in just one room with the door closed rather than having the full run of the house.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Punishment isn’t an effective way of dealing with separation anxiety and it can even make the situation worse; anxious behaviours aren’t the result of disobedience, they are distress responses. Dogs display anxious behaviours when left alone because they’re upset and trying to cope with a great deal of stress; if you punish or scold them, they could become more distressed, and the problem could get worse.
When trying to treat your dog’s separation anxiety, it’s important to remember that every dog is different and will progress through recovery at different rates. Always try to work within your dog’s limits and keep an eye on their stress levels. Recognising your dog’s stress signals, and knowing how to manage them, is key to ensuring your dog is happy.
WHAT TO DO IF THE PROBLEM IS MORE SEVERE
If your dog exhibits stress when settling down for the night or gets restless when the lights go out, this can be another form of separation anxiety. A calming routine can help ease your dog’s distress, so try providing them with a safe and secure place to sleep and offer them their favourite cuddle toy for comfort. If your dog continues to experience separation anxiety at night, then you may want to consider consulting your vet as it could be a symptom of a more serious health problem.
Recognising signs that your dog is in distress and knowing how to manage it is key to making sure your dog is healthy and happy. Separation anxiety can be difficult for both dogs and their owners, but we hope our tips can help your dog to feel safe and secure on their own. And if you want to feel more secure yourself, you might want to look at pet insurance for your dog.
With 5 different policies to choose from, some of which can be tweaked with a choice of optional benefits, you’ll have the reassurance that your pet is protected, leaving you free to enjoy all the positives of owning a pet. Give us a call, or look online, and let us break it down for you and give you a free, no-strings quote.
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