Dogs With Separation Anxiety

Does your dog love you so much that when you leave they can't stand it? Then your pet is probably suffering from separation anxiety and not just plain bad behavior.

Do they get so upset that your rugs, furniture, and anything else she can reach or knock down show signs of her affection? It is estimated that 10-15 percent of the canine population experiences some type of separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is tied to a dogs natural instinct to be part of a pack, which explains why cats do not seem to suffer from this problem. But there are many things you can do to help your lonely pooch out. They certainly deserves your help, after all, they act out because they are longing for you. The difference between separation anxiety and just plain bad behavior is easy to your dog: dogs with separation anxiety only act out when they are unable to get to their owners. In severe cases, anxious pooches will act out even when their owner is simply in another room with the door shut. Common ways of acting out include destructive behavior, excessive barking, house soiling, attempts to escape, loss of apatite, inactivity, sadness or depression, and psychosomatic disorders such as vomiting, and excessive coat licking. Also, a dog suffering from separation anxiety will often closely shadow her owner when they're together.

Why your dog?
Why does your dog suffer from separation anxiety while your neighbor's dog is fine? The possibilities abound. Some dogs simply do not ever gain enough confidence in themselves to be on their own. For some, it's because they were left alone for too long when they were puppies. Others have had the misfortune of being abused or neglected. Then there are the poor pups who are pushed from home to home until they finally end up in an animal shelter; needless to say, they might be afraid of being left again. Often a beloved dog is fine for years, and then suddenly begins to act out. If her behavior seems inexplicable, take a look at the changes in your lifestyle that occurred around the same time your dog decided she loved the taste of your favorite chair. Maybe Mum went back to work, or the kids left home. Or maybe you got a new job requiring longer hours. Whatever the reason, your dog is spending more time alone, and she doesn't know what to do with herself. She worries: "What if they don't come back?" When the stress is more than she can take, she acts out.

Taming the trauma
Dealing with separation anxiety is different than dealing with just the problem behaviors. First, you must learn to check your anger at the door. Punishing your dog will not fix the problem--it will create a bigger problem. Once she associates your absence and return with punishment, her anxiety will increase. There are many different ways you can help your dog deal with her fear. Your number one goal is to teach your dog that you can be trusted to come back. One of the first exercises to practice is sit and stay. This will prepare your panicky dog for practice departures. Make your dog sit and stay while you move from one place to another. If she obeys, give her a treat. If she couldn't stand it and didn't stay, try it again for a shorter time and distance. Once you find something that works, even if it's just moving from the living room to the dining room, you can slowly increase the time and distance. The next step is to change your habits. Think about your routine. Do you do the same things every time you walk out the door? Kissing your spouse, grabbing your bag, closing your briefcase, or even picking up your keys can tell your dog that you're leaving. She associates your preparations to leave with her destructive behavior. Your goal is to change your pattern, teaching her new cues that let her know that you're always coming back and help disassociate her learned, destructive behavior from your absence. Do something unusual and different from your normal routine: turn on the radio or television, or give your dog a treat. There are many toys and treats designed to entertain your dog while you're out. A Kong toy stuffed with food is a popular option--she will spend many distracted hours working to get the food out.

New cue review
Begin using your new cue when you start doing practice departures. The key here is to take baby steps. When you first give your dog the new cue, leave the house for just a minute or two--a time short enough that you know your dog will be all right. When you come back, avoid a big fuss and simply go about your business. The expectation of a big to-do when you come home only increases her anxiety level. The principle behind practice departures is the same as that of sit and stay; you're teaching your dog that when you leave you will come back. Slowly, you will increase her confidence in you and in herself. Continue to practice your departures all day long for increasingly longer amounts of time. Stay away a couple of minutes longer each time, but remember to take it slow. If your dog becomes upset at a certain point, cut the time in half and be patient. For example, if your dog acts out after two hours, then decrease the time to one hour and work your way back up from there. Repeat the cycle over and over again, until your dog is confident that you will always return. Ideally you will be able to spend at least a week gradually easing your dog into a new level of self-confidence. If you don't have that much time, try to begin early on a Friday evening and continue the practice departures throughout the weekend. Another strategy to help you deal with the problem is to take your dog out for a good walk before you leave the house. Not only will you spend some quality time together, it will also help tire her out, making it more likely she will spend her time away from you sleeping. Another benefit to the long walk is that once your dog sees the pattern, she will have something to look forward to when you leave. And the exercise will be great for both of you. With these tools, you should be well on your way to boosting your dog's self-confidence. With enough time and patience you can teach your dog that you love her just as much as she loves you. Eventually she will realize that you won't leave her, and that destroying your house may not be the best way to tell you she misses you. Don't be afraid to seek professional help. Ask your veterinarian for suggestions, or if the problem persists, ask your veterinarian to recommend a behavior specialist. Chances are both you and your dog will benefit from some one-on-one guidance. Together, you can transform her anxious love and your tattered home into a secure peace you both can enjoy.