Raising a puppy comes with a parade of behavioural challenges that can march into both their lives and yours. Separation anxiety is the most common of them. Just as the name suggests, this condition causes distressing emotions in your pups whenever they are apart from you. Dogs, as natural pack animals, find solace in companionship, and being alone often triggers feelings of vulnerability. This often occurs to dogs that are particularly attached or reliant on their owners.
The distress of separation anxiety often sparks a myriad of behavioural issues, which are often confused as simple house rule mishaps. If these behavioural issues are left unaddressed, particularly in severe cases, these symptoms can escalate, posing potential harm to your cherished companions.
Separation anxiety can manifest in various behaviours.
Common anxiety symptoms:
- Urinating and defecating at odd times and places they are not supposed to
- Excessive vocalisation - E.g. Barkling, howling or whining incessantly
- Destruction - E.g. Chewing or digging at household furniture or items
- Attempts to escape - E.g. Digging at doors or chewing on their crate
- Nervous tics - E.g. Pacing around in a fixed pattern or excessive panting
Why do dogs have separation anxiety?
- Change in schedule or residence
Dogs thrive on consistency, so a sudden shift in schedules or a change in environment can affect their sense of security.
- Past experience
It may have been a distressing experience the first time that it was left alone. This is especially so for dogs with a history of abandonment or traumatic events.
- Lack of socialisation
Insufficient exposure to different environments and experiences during their formative stages can contribute to anxiety
- Over-attachment
Dogs that are excessively attached to their owners may struggle when left alone
How to manage separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety can and should be managed. Besides their well-being, it also contributes to a harmonious relationship and a happier household overall. Addressing separation anxiety in dogs involves a combination of understanding, patience and strategic interventions.
- Establish a routine
Dogs thrive on routine and predictability because it offers them a sense of security. Maintaining a consistent schedule for activities such as meal times, walks, play and alone time creates an expectation and familiarity. This predictability helps alleviate stress and uncertainty, providing them with a sense of control and assurance. With a steady routine, strategic scheduling can further support anxiety reduction, such as arranging low-attention activities like naps to coincide with typical departure times, helping your dog adapt to periods of alone time more smoothly.
- Ensure environmental enrichment
Environmental enrichment helps alleviate a dog’s anxiety by offering mental stimulation, comfort, and a sense of security. It involves a range of stimuli and activities that engage their senses, keep them occupied and mentally stimulated. This expense of energy will effectively redirect their focus, keeping them relaxed when they are left alone. Toys that encourage problem-solving, interactive feeders, and puzzles are great options to occupy your dog’s attention. Additionally, ensuring comfortable bedding, familiar scents and a safe space can help reduce anxiety.
- Counter-conditioning and desensitisation
These are behavioural training techniques aimed to address a dog’s separation anxiety by reshaping their emotional response to being alone. One way to implement this is by offering your pup a treat or toy each time you have to leave home, fostering a positive connection with your absence.
However, it is crucial to approach this process gradually. Begin with short separation periods and progressively extend the duration over time. This gradual exposure allows your dog to adapt at their own pace, ensuring a more effective and lasting shift in their association with being alone.
For severe instances of separation anxiety, seeking advice from a veterinarian or a certified animal behaviourist is highly recommended. They are able to provide guidance on behaviour modification techniques, medications, or other interventions specially tailored to address your dog’s unique needs.
Remember, even in the face of returning home to find destruction, refrain from punishing your pup as this may make matters worse. Separation anxiety in dogs can be challenging, but with patience, time and consistency, effective management is possible. As responsible pet owners, it is our duty to recognise, empathise and support our pups through their struggles.
