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Dog Separation Anxiety and How to Reduce It
Separation anxiety is a psychological condition in dogs that involves excessive unease when they are alienated from a strong emotional attachment – meaning you – the owner. While it is normal for a dog to have an "accident" every once in awhile, repeated occurrences are cause for concern. Many dog owners shower their companions with a great deal of attention to the point of becoming inseparable– literally. Usually, problems start to surface when an owner must go to a place where their dog is unable to tag along. What is Separation Anxiety? I've gotten into the habit of taking my pooches most everywhere I go, and to my knowledge, they haven't acted out in a dramatic fashion. However, some dogs suffer a highly anxious response to not being able to accompany their master. Unfortunately, many cases are mistaken for behavioral problems and the real culprit to doggy distress is never addressed. A dog with separation anxiety becomes a "problem child" in the household when they are left alone. After their owner has left the house, they begin to "act out" within 20 to 45 minutes. Most commonly, they begin to dig, chew, or scratch at doors and windows – in an attempt to escape and join their owners. They start to excessively bark, cry out, or howl – thinking this will bring back their master. The distress may become so overwhelming that they have an "accident," which becomes most alarming with housetrained dogs. The Causes of Separation Anxiety There really is no explanation why some dogs suffer this condition while others do not. Most often, an owner facing this type of problem immediately starts to think their dog is trying to punish them for being left alone or seeking revenge. This couldn’t be furthest from the truth – dogs stress out just like humans – this behavior is actually what they do when they are in "panic mode." It is important to familiarize yourself with some of the triggers of this condition in order to effectively tackle the problem. It sometimes occurs when a dog is used to constant human companionship and is left on its own for the first time. It may take place after a long interval of togetherness, such as a week-long camping trip, where the owner and dog are constantly around one another. When a dog suffers a traumatic experience (like being sent to a boarding kennel), they may enter a state of separation anxiety. Changes in the structure of the household or everyday routines also causes it to surface, such as the arrival of a new baby, moving into a new house, or a child going off to college. In order to treat the condition, you need to find out if this is what your dog is actually suffering from. Since there are many conditions and issues that cause dogs to "act out," it is important to properly assess his or her troubles. Dogs with separation anxiety may only exhibit poor behaviors when left alone, follow you from room to room when you are at home, frantically greet you at the door, become excited, depressed, or anxious as you prepare to leave the house, and/or doesn’t like spending time outside without you. Solving Separation Anxiety Dogs may suffer from a minor or more intense form of separation anxiety. Techniques for minor cases include making arrivals and departures low-key (ignore your dog for the first couple of minutes, then calmly pet them), leave behind a piece of clothing with your scent on it, and use "safety cues" to calm a dog during short absences (turning on the TV, playing the radio, or giving them a hard rubber chew bone). Severe cases involve the systematic routine of getting your companion used to the idea of being left alone. I recommend teaching your dog how to stay calm by using practice sessions that consist of short departures and absences. One approach is to start your regular routine of leaving the house, such as putting on a jacket and reaching for your keys. Sit back down and repeat this until your dog shows no sign of distress to these activities. Next, repeat your routine, but this time – go to the door and open it – sitting back down. Gradually, work your way up to taking a step outside of the door (leaving the door open), closing the door while outside (immediately returning), leaving the dog alone for a couple of seconds, and working your way up to 30 to 90-minute absences. Until you are able to solve separation anxiety issues, you may want to leave your dog with a friend, relative, or neighbor when possible. Most important, never punish your dog for this condition, feel getting another pet will solve the problem, or crate your dog. Additionally, remember that this type of dog behavior is a panic response and not a problem with formal training.
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