Dealing with Separation Anxiety in Dogs

We’ve all heard of separation anxiety in children. Kids who find themselves unable to cope when their mother is far from them react with non stop crying and tantrums. This kind of behavior can also be seen in dogs and it’s far more common than you think. A dog with separation anxiety typically displays symptoms only when he thinks he is unable to access his owner. Dogs that are nervous or high strung all the time don’t fall into this category.

If you thought your dog just needed some time to get used to being away from you when you're at work or away for the evening, the problem might be deeper than you think. Here's how you can tell if your dog has separation pangs.

• When you leave the home, does your dog howl or bark incessantly to try to get you to return?
• Does he scratch at the door or windows?

• Do you find chewed slippers, toys or your belongings?

• Do you find the house generally in a state of shambles compared to when you left?

• Do you return home to find your normally house trained dog has urinated or defecated inside the house in your absence?

If the answer to two or more of all the above questions is yes, you have a dog with a case of separation blues.

This isn’t an easy question to answer. The catalysts that might result in separation anxiety symptoms in your pet may leave other dogs unaffected. Two dogs that live with the same owner in the same house may exhibit entirely different responses to being alone. A dog that suddenly finds itself alone after days and weeks of constant human companionship may be more susceptible to this condition. Dogs who’ve spent a long period of time at animal shelters or have spent their lives being constantly tossed form one home to another are more likely to develop a nervous predisposition. Have you had a recent change in your family life? Major life changes like a divorce or a family member moving out are enough reasons for a dog to get distressed. In some dogs this kind of nervous or stressed behavior can also be the result of genetics at work. Some breeds just have a greater tendency to be nervous. Dogs that are dominant have a harder time dealing with the fact that they have been left behind in the house. What happens in this instance is that the dog considers himself the master of the house and is quite upset when you, the subject leaves without him!

A dog with separation anxiety will always

• Display nervous and anxious behavior only when you are about to leave home
• Greet you on your return with boundless enthusiasm
• React with distress to your preparations to leaving the house such as getting dressed up etc.
• Follow you around the house when you’re home

Being at the receiving end of unflinching effusive devotion for your canine friend can be a heartwarming experience. But what do you do when your dog refuses to let go for even a couple of hours a day?

If the problem is mild, then the basic steps below might be all that's needed to deal with the problem.

Avoid turning your comings and goings into major productions. In other words cut down the effusive enthusiastic greetings when you're reunited with him. Instead calmly pat him and then - nothing. It might seem like tough love, and it is.

Make use of safety cues to re assure him you'll be right back. Safety cues could be anything from leaving the television on to giving him a toy to chew on. These safety cues should be used just before you leave so he begins to associate them with your short departure.

Desensitize him to your arrivals and departures Change your leaving routine. Step outside for a few seconds and then re enter before he gets overly upset. The normal time for a dog to begin showing separation anxiety symptoms is within 30 minutes of your departure. Start with short departures that you can increase in length as the training period increases. Once he's able to get through an hour and a half without your presence he is usually bale to last an entire day.

If he gets upset when you grab your coat and head to the front door, change the routine. Leave by the back door instead. The point is to break this habit of getting worked up when he sees you performing activities that he associates with being alone.

Learn to ignore him. Harsh but true. Spending a few days or weeks being detached from while only taking care of his basic necessities will decrease his dependence on you.

Never punish a dog with separation anxiety - it only compounds the problem. Remember, his chewing and urinating behavior is not an angry response; it's a panic stricken one. Also don't crate him. While the confines of a crate may enable some dogs to doze of, others will howl incessantly, bark or hurt themselves trying to claw out.

If all fails, consult your vet about anti anxiety medication. This is a last ditch measure and should only be used in combination with other behavior conditioning methods.