If you have a dog you’re probably familiar with the term separation anxiety.
Over 23 million households in the U.S. welcomed a new dog into their home during the pandemic, according to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. With many of us spending way more time at home, it’s no surprise that our dogs may be having a hard time as we start to leave the house more.
Separation anxiety can be a serious issue for pets and their owners, but with the right training and resources, it doesn’t have to derail you or your dog’s life. Here’s what you need to know about separation anxiety in dogs.
What is separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a condition where a dog becomes extremely stressed when they are separated from their guardian, other close humans, or sometimes even another pet. In a 2019 study of over 4,000 dogs published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 13 percent were reported to exhibit overt separation anxiety.
Dogs are inherently social animals, which is what makes them great pets and prone to separation anxiety, said Joanne Basinger, director of Andrea Arden Dog Training in New York City. “All dogs have the propensity to develop some sort of separation intolerance or separation anxiety, because they don’t want to be left alone,” she said. “A healthy well-balanced dog is going to prefer being with its people versus without.”
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In a 2014 webinar presentation, Dr. Nicolas Dodman, a renowned veterinary behaviorist and representative of the Humane Society, said separation anxiety stems from a combination of factors, but “by far and away, the most powerful force is environmental.” He goes on to say that just like babies, puppies need to be given lots of love and affection which makes them independent and secure as they grow up. This is why many dogs with separation anxiety tend to have a “shelter or stray background.
What causes separation anxiety?
Dogs experience separation anxiety when something happens that “disrupts the social bond,” according to Dodman’s webinar. This could be moving homes, children going back to school after vacation, or changing up daily routines.
What are some signs of separation anxiety?
The most common signs of separation anxiety are vocalization, destructive behavior, inappropriate elimination, and not eating while you’re away. But separation anxiety is not always so straightforward. “The owners aren’t there to observe the behavior in person, and some of the symptoms can seem like problems with housetraining or boredom,” wrote Carly Loyer, an animal behavior scientist for the ASPCA, in an email.
Dodman’s webinar lists the following as signs of separation anxiety:
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Following (Velcro dog)
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Pre-departure anxiety
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Vocalization (barking, whining)
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Destructive behavior
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Inappropriate elimination
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Pacing
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Houdini Syndrome (trying to escape)
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Self-destructive behavior
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Salivation
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Vomiting
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Psychogenic anorexia (not eating while you’re gone)
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Exuberant greeting
Credit: Getty Images
What should you do if your dog has separation anxiety
1. Consult with your veterinarian
These symptoms could indicate a variety of issues, so just because your dog is behaving a certain way, doesn’t mean it’s definitely separation anxiety. That’s why it’s important to get an official diagnosis for your vet so you can rule out other behavior or medical issues.
2. Consult with a trainer or animal behavioral specialist
If a veterinarian has determined that your dog has no underlying health issues and may have separation anxiety, Basinger recommends consulting with a trainer “so that they could have a consultation that’s based on the specifics of their lifestyle, where they live, and their dog’s specific behavior.” There’s a lot of information out there, so rather than having to parse through all of it, she said, “Find a person that they trust to talk through it and come up with a plan. That way, they’re really getting the attention that they need for their particulars.”
While the pandemic may have contributed to a rise in separation anxiety, it doesn’t have to inhibit its treatment. “Many professionals are still offering services virtually during this time,” said Loyer, “and luckily separation anxiety is one behavior challenge that lends itself well to virtual coaching.”
There’s no legal requirement for dog trainers to be certified, but there are several highly reputable qualifications that can help you parse out the good from the bad. Listing all the different certifications here would be like alphabet soup, but as a rule of thumb, look for a trainer that is certified in canine behavior consulting or has a good track record with testimonials from clients.
Dog anxiety is real. These products can help calm your anxious pet.
Credit: Getty Images
Helpful tips to prevent or curb separation anxiety
There are preventative measures that you can do to prevent separation anxiety in dogs or stop it from getting worse.
1. Practice healthy boundaries
Many people are still working from home in some capacity, which means now is a good time to start preparing your dog for a future change in routine. Loyer recommends designating some alone time throughout the day.
“Try to leave your home throughout the week – go for a stroll outside or do some yardwork without your pet. Practice with short durations initially so you can make sure your pet is comfortable with you being gone, gradually increasing the duration as much as possible to prepare for longer stretches of time,” she wrote.
For those in an apartment, Basinger suggests crating your dog or working in a separate room, “so there’s alone time, with you, home.”
2. Set your dog up for success
There are a few different approaches to separation anxiety. But for that critical period when you are out of the house, the experts interviewed all emphasized the importance of creating a safe environment where your dog will feel relaxed and comfortable.
What exactly this environment looks like is highly situational, but Dodman recommends a confined space with an open crate they can go into if they want. When creating this environment, he also says to think of the five senses.
For taste, use food puzzles or toys stuffed with high value treats, like peanut butter, liver, or frozen wet food so that it becomes a dog lollipop. Smell has some overlap with taste, and Dodman and Loyer both suggest hiding treats for them to discover like a scavenger hunt. Another idea from Dodman is to enrich a toy with an engaging smell like anise, vanilla, or… deer urine “if you can stomach it.”
For vision, turn on the TV and give them access to a window, perhaps adorned with a bird feeder. Sound could be from the TV, or talk radio, as well as music designed specifically for dogs. Lastly, make sure your dog has a cozy bed and soft comforts. The idea, said Dodman, is to try and make it fun for them. “When you leave it’s party time.” There’s also a ton of YouTube videos specifically made for relaxing dogs.
Above all, remember the adage, “a tired dog is a good dog.” Try and make sure your dog gets some exercise before you leave so they’re mentally and physically calmer.
Credit: Getty Images
3. Don’t ignore separation anxiety
You may have heard that ignoring your dog or letting them cry it out will teach your dog to self-soothe or learn healthy boundaries, but for a young puppy or a dog with separation anxiety, this probably won’t work. “When you’re in need of an attachment figure, you’ve just lost your parents, your mother dog, you’ve just lost your litter mate, you find yourself in a new home and now these people are distancing you. That’s the right treatment,” said Dodman.
“They should be kept as close as possible, spoken to kindly and have all their needs met.” That being said, Dodman continued it’s important to strike a balance between loving them and being matter of fact, especially when it comes to departures. Being overly emotional when you leave will make them feel like it’s a big deal and that they should panic.
To help find that balance, Basinger suggests thinking about it as “coaching them on how to learn how to self soothe and self pacify.” If your dog is in their crate or in another room and starts to get upset, get closer to them, allow them to see you and talk to them. The key is to address it, not ignore it, because your dog’s separation anxiety won’t get better on its own.
Remember you’re not alone
“The most important thing is to get your ducks in a row in terms of who you can lean on,” said Shoshi Parks, a professional dog trainer who specializes in separation anxiety. “Whether that’s a dog care provider you trust that can walk your dog, or a doggy daycare that you can bring them to, or a trusted friend or neighbor that you can drop the dog off when you need to be somewhere.”
Having a dog with separation anxiety can be daunting, so look to family and friends for support when you need them. Parks also wants dog owners to know that training can be flexible and tailored to fit particular lifestyles, so getting help for your dog’s separation anxiety doesn’t mean overhauling your entire life. “They can really do it on their own time, and that it really only takes a commitment of about 30 minutes a day.”
Resources and products to help with separation anxiety
There are tons of great resources and products to arm yourself with when taking on separation anxiety. Interactive toys like Kongs, snuffle mats, or food puzzles can keep your dog engaged for a while. Calming aids like treats with L-Theanine and melatonin or weighted blankets can also help.
When in doubt, look to resources like the American Kennel Club, the ASPCA, and the Humane Society for trustworthy information. And be aware that while these suggestions may help, they shouldn’t be substituted for actual training or advice.
