Find Out All About Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Have you ever noticed your dog getting nervous or jittery when you have to leave for work or any other commitment? And have you seen them display an opposite behaviour once you come back home? Extreme nervousness or anger on your leaving (displayed by aggressive chewing, scratching) and extreme happiness (peeing in excitement, jumping and barking) are behaviours that exhibit a problem. Your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. If this is a new concept to you, or you want to find out more about anxiety in dogs, then you are at the right place. From symptoms to treatment, Zigly is here with everything you must know about separation anxiety in dogs!

What is Separation Anxiety?

Any destructive, distressed, and frantic behaviour dogs exhibit when they are separated from their pet parents is known as separation anxiety. It is very easy to get confused between separation anxiety and disobedience. However, it is important to keep in mind that puppy separation anxiety or adult dog anxiety is real, and the sooner you attend to it, the better it is.

Causes of Separation Anxiety

There can be various reasons for anxious dog behaviour. The reason behind it is mostly the stress of being left alone. Listed below are some of the causes of the same:

• Change of ownership of the dog/ Getting new owners
• When the dog is accustomed to being around people all the time and is left alone for the first time
• The shift from a shelter to a proper home
• Loss or death of a family member
• A drastic change in the routine or schedule of the dog and the pet parent

Signs of Separation Anxiety

After finding out the possible causes and reasons behind dog separation anxiety, it is vital to decipher and identify the signs which indicate that a dog is suffering from separation anxiety. They are mentioned below:

• Trying hard to escape when the dog is left alone. This can be by scratching on the doors or windows.
• Excessive barking, whining/ crying or even howling
• Excessive panting, drooling and salivating
• Pacing inside the house. This kind of pacing is usually in an obsessive manner.
• Chewing up things like slippers, tv remote, etc. Things which usually the dog is not allowed to play with
• Even after being house trained, having accidents inside the house. For example, peeing in excitement on seeing the pet parent or in frustration when they are not around.

It is important to be mindful that a normal dog can do or exhibit such behaviours, but only once or twice. However, a dog suffering from separation anxiety will behave in such a manner all the time.

Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Dogs suffering from separation anxiety can be treated if identified and taken care of at the right time. The first step is to speak to your veterinarian so that they can rule out any possible medical problems. This is because dogs' change in behaviour can also occur when they have hormone problems or are going through some other problem that has not been addressed. For example, many times, there are accidents inside the house because the dog has not been fully house trained. Even when dogs are on certain medications or drugs, they can be behaving in a particular way as a reaction to those medicines.

The treatment for separation anxiety in dogs depends on how serious or mild the problem is. We have broken it down for you so that it is not confusing.

Mild Problems

Any dog who experiences anxiety due to separation can have symptoms anywhere between mild to serious. If you feel that your dog is showing mild symptoms or the problem seems to be mild then you must try out the following things:

• Give your dog certain natural calming supplements. You can add it to the dog's food or give it orally.
• Reward or give your dog a special healthy treat every time you have to leave for work or anywhere else. There are all kinds of toys available in the market which keep the dog involved and busy. The kong toy stuffed with peanut butter is a good example of the same. However, you must only give the toy when you leave and take it back once you are back home.
• You can leave an old t-shirt or shirt which was recently worn by you and smells like you. The dog can sleep on or cuddle with it as your smell would have a calming effect on them.
• Make sure that every time you leave or come back, the goodbyes and the greetings should not be a major affair. It should be subdued. In fact, you must ignore your dog for the first few minutes that you come back home.

Serious Problems

If for some reason, your dog is a victim of serious separation anxiety, then no amount of tasty or good treats will help in keeping them busy or distracted. The dog will gradually need to get used to your absence. Mentioned below are a few things you can try:

• If you notice that your dog picks up cues, like when you pick up your car keys or wear your shoes, he/ she gets nervous; then you must try to ‘normalize’ this. You can do the same by putting on your shoes or picking up your car keys and not going anywhere. Just sit in the drawing-room or your bedroom. You must try this out a minimum of 5 times a day. Once you feel that your dog is getting used to it or not getting anxious by it, then you can begin to leave silently.
• You can leave the room, go on the other side of the door, and give your dog the command to ‘stay’. Come back in front of your dog in a matter of 10 seconds. You can increase the time of disappearing gradually.
• You are the best judge to decide how long your dog can stay without you. Don't be in a hurry to increase the time. Do it gradually and always leave a treat when you leave. Make sure that you behave normally and very calmly every time you leave or come back.
• A general practice that you can inculcate in your dog’s routine, whether he/ she has mild problems or serious ones, is giving him/ her plenty of exercise. Physical exercise is good for the growth of the dog and tires the dog out. If your dog will be too tired, then he/ she would prefer resting or sleeping rather than being anxious when you leave.
• Train your dog to be alone in the room when you are at home. You can go to different parts of the house and ask your dog to stay in the bedroom and not follow you everywhere. You can begin with intervals of 10 to 20 seconds and then gradually increase it.

With this, we come to an end to our blog on separation anxiety in dogs. We hope we were able to solve any doubts or confusion you had regarding anxiety in dogs.

For more queries, you can always online vet consultation with Zigly, who will be happy to help you and guide you as to how you can take care of panic or uneasiness in your dog.