How Does Separation Anxiety Affect Dogs?

What is Separation Anxiety in Dogs?

Dogs are social animals used to living and interacting with a pack, be it human or canine. It’s not natural for a dog to spend much of the day alone. Luckily dogs are adaptable creatures and most adjust to our schedules. However, some dogs get very anxious about being left alone. Separation anxiety causes a dog to howl, bark, be destructive and urinate in the house. When mild, the dog may just bark for a while, or perhaps urinate inside from stress. At its most extreme, separation anxiety can make some dogs go berserk, barking nonstop and chewing anything from drywall and carpet to furniture. Very often a dog will chew things that smell strongly like their owners such as shoes and underwear. Some people mistakenly think the dog is “getting back at them” for leaving, but dogs don’t think this way.

Characteristics of Dogs With Separation Anxiety

Dogs of any gender or breed can get separation anxiety. Susceptible dogs tend to be somewhat nervous and lacking self-confidence. They are usually given little training and structure by their owners. The owners are often unintentionally influential in causing separation anxiety by spoiling the dog and indulging an anxious dog’s wish to be with the owner at all times. Training and exercise gives a dog healthy confidence and independence so that it is not fearful when left alone.

How Separation Anxiety Affects Dogs

For dogs lacking confidence, being left alone exposes them to the fear of abandonment by their pack members. To the primitive part of a dog’s mind, this means potential starvation and fear of being vulnerable to larger predators. Because this is frightening to a dog, they often express the fear with excessive barking and destructive behavior. A frightened dog left alone with run of the house can do considerable damage to belongings and furnishings.

How to Deal With Separation Anxiety

Training and exercise are important for a dog’s physical and mental well-being. Consider doggie day care and classes for obedience, agility or other dog sports. For a dog that is mildly stressed, management by crating or gating it into a safe area along with some good chew toys is a wise strategy. Make your leaving and returning to the house non-events by being calm and even ignoring your dog for a while when you come home. Practice short separations by handing him a treat, leaving without a word, then returning without a fuss. More severe anxiety can be medically treated. Ask your veterinarian about medications to help your dog, but bear in mind medication alone is only a start; behavior modification, exercise and training are always part of the solution. See the link in the Resources section for more detailed information.