Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety can be felt by both dogs and their owners.
This infographic is based on the findings from CertaPet, which surveyed over 2,600 American dog parents across all 50 states between June 23 and July 14, 2021. Please click the image to learn more.
What is separation anxiety?
Separation Anxiety occurs when a dog feels a sense of panic or distress when its human leaves it alone at home or locks it in another room or part of the house. In some cases, separation anxiety can also be triggered when a dog is away from its doggy companions.
This can significantly impact a pet's well-being and cause unwanted behaviours such as excessive barking, destructive chewing, and even self-harm.
With proper care and attention, separation anxiety can be effectively managed, and dogs can even learn to overcome negative emotions.
Why do some dogs get Separation anxiety
Dogs, being social animals, may experience separation anxiety when separated from their close connections or groups, especially If they have been accustomed to constant companionship and suddenly find themselves alone.
The behaviour may also manifest when they experience environmental changes, disruption in their routine, loss of a companion, or if they have experienced trauma in the past.
Reserchers from the University of Lincoln, England, pointed out four primary forms of distress for dogs when separated from their owners. These include a focus on getting away from something in the house, wanting to get to something outside, reacting to external noises or events, and a form of boredom. More than 2,700 dogs representing over 100 breeds were included in the study.
Solutions for separation anxiety:
The best way to deal with separation anxiety is to start early and train in small increments. This way, you are setting your dog up to succeed.
Interventions, management and Quick solutions:
Can sometimes help for dogs with mild separation anxiety, or used in conjunction with a training plan.
- Exercise your dog before leaving the house.
- Dog-proof the house and allow access to specific safe spaces when you are away. This teaches them to make good choices.
- Give your dog their meals using enrichment before leaving the house.
- Give your dog Chew toys and appropriate things to chew on while you leave.
- Play calming dog music, put on doggy-friendly videos on TV like this one on YouTube.
- Use a remote Feeder to monitor and reinforce your dog while you're away.
- When leaving, don’t make a fuss, avoid long-winded goodbyes.
- When you return home, avoid excited greetings. Remain calm and relaxed as if nothing significant happened during your absence.
- Create interactive games and sensory enrichment in your backyard to alleviate boredom.
- Products like ADAPTIL Calm Home Diffuser and the ADAPTIL Transport Spray may help your dog relax.
- Switch it up. Dogs recognise patterns when we are about to leave the house (e.g., putting on shoes, grabbing the keys, locking the doors). Identifying your patterns and how they trigger your dog can help you change and modify them so that your dog isn’t building up anxiety for the moment you’re going to leave.
Training Plan to help overcome Separation anxiety
The type of training plan you use will depend on your circumstances and the severity of your dog's symptoms. It is best to consult a professional dog trainer or your VET first.
The training plan works best in conjunction with the management techniques mentioned above.
- If possible, don't leave your dog alone until you have a training plan in place. Use Doggy day cares, pet sitters, family and neighbours that can help and dog walkers to help manage the issue when you need to leave your dog alone for long periods until your training plan kicks in.
- Teach your dog a relaxation technique like a Mat / Settle. As soon as possible, start to build distance by reinforcing your dog on their bed using your remote Feeder.
- Constantly feed your dog in an area away from you, such as another room, their play pen, or outside.
- Leave your dog alone in a room with some form of enrichment for a minute or two. As your dog starts to settle and shows calm, relaxed behaviour, return and throw in a few rewards or use your remote feeder to reward. (Only return when your dog is quiet.) At first, return before the enrichment is over and slowly increase the time, leaving your dog alone. If your dog is comfortable, start to close the door partially.
- If your dog does not settle when you’re away, start using a see-through barrier or even a maze of obstacles. Remember, feed away from you.
- Identify the triggers in your leaving patterns and desensitise them. For example, if you can see your dog getting stressed when you pick up your keys or put on your socks, perform these actions randomly throughout the day and reward your dog with calm praise or pats when you do to change the association from a negative to a neutral or positive/calm one.
- Create a safe space for your dog in the house that is theirs. This could be an unlocked crate or a bed.
- Get ready for work on your day off, start small by giving your dog enrichment in their safe space, then say something simple like "I'll be back soon" and walk out the door. Return before the enrichment is over, slowly increasing the time you leave the house for.
More information on separation anxiety from other amazing trainers.
