What Is Separation Anxiety in Dogs?
Separation anxiety in dogs, your pup may find this condition, if your pup no longer associates with you and leads a very isolated lifestyle. Tina Flores, a certified separation anxiety trainer (CSAT), explains that a dog’s experience is much like a human having a panic attack.
For example, someone with a fear of heights might experience sweaty palms, dry mouth, and a racing heart when standing in a tall building. Similarly, a dog with separation anxiety goes through intense stress, releasing stress hormones whenever they are alone.
This anxiety can range from mild distress, such as pacing or whining, to severe reactions where a dog may attempt to escape confinement or even hurt themselves in a frantic effort to find their owner.
How To Help a Dog With Separation Anxiety
Helping a dog overcome separation anxiety requires a two-pronged approach: building their independence from you and encouraging them to relax when you’re not around. However, it’s important to remember that this takes time and patience—there’s no quick fix for anxiety-driven behaviors.
Given the complexity of separation anxiety, it’s a good idea to work with a professional, such as a certified separation anxiety trainer (CSAT) or a veterinary behaviorist. These experts can create a personalized plan to manage your dog’s anxiety and, if necessary, prescribe medication. Always ensure the trainer uses positive reinforcement methods.
Behavior Modification
The key to treating separation anxiety in dogs lies in changing their perception of being alone, one step at a time. Behavior modification is a slow process that involves desensitization.
Tina Flores emphasizes the importance of starting small, such as leaving your dog for just a few seconds and then returning before they start feeling anxious. The idea is to gradually extend the time you’re away, always ensuring your dog remains calm throughout the process.
Pre-departure cues, like grabbing your keys or putting on your shoes, can also trigger anxiety. Flores suggests desensitizing these actions by incorporating them into training sessions, helping your dog understand that while you may leave, you will always return before they panic.
Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone for Long Periods
One of the biggest challenges in addressing separation anxiety in dogs, is you have to make sure that you do not leave them alone during the training period. If you need to be away, enlist the help of a neighbor, friend, family member, or dog walker, or consider doggy daycare to fill the gaps.
Flores warns that leaving your dog alone for too long during training can undo progress. If a dog has learned to be calm for 30 minutes but is left alone for two hours the next day, it may regress, and trust for sure may break.
Exercise Can Help
Increased physical activity can help many dogs, especially those with mild separation anxiety, also known as separation intolerance. Before you leave, try giving your dog a mental and physical workout. Playing challenging games that stimulate their mind, like puzzle toys or scent-finding games, can help tire them out, making it easier for them to relax in your absence.
For dogs with mild anxiety, even engaging in simple trick training sessions can help. Teaching your dog to “spin” or give a “high five” not only entertains them but mentally stimulates them, leaving them more ready to rest when you leave.
Use Interactive Toys—But With Caution
Dogs with mild separation intolerance might also benefit from interactive toys, like treat-filled puzzles, when you leave the house. However, Flores cautions against using these toys if your dog has severe separation anxiety.
In cases of full-blown anxiety, the toy itself can become a trigger for fear. Once the treat is gone, the dog may realize that their owner is still absent and panic even more.
Consider Prescription Medication
For some dogs, behavioral training alone isn’t enough, and medication may be necessary. Dr. Arielle Schoenlein, a veterinarian at Quakertown Veterinary Clinic, explains that anti-anxiety medications can be helpful in cases where dogs are injuring themselves, harming other pets, or damaging property.
Medication doesn’t replace training but can be an essential part of the treatment plan, helping to reduce the dog’s overall anxiety. Long-term drugs like fluoxetine may take several weeks to work, while vets prescribe short-term medications like trazodone for specific stressful events. Talk to your vet about whether your dog might benefit from these treatments.
Can Separation Anxiety in Dogs Be Cured?
Separation anxiety in dogs is not curable overnight. It’s a long-term condition that requires careful management through training, and sometimes medication. Progress often comes slowly, with small victories adding up over time. But with patience and the right guidance from a positive trainer or behaviorist, your dog’s anxiety can be successfully managed.
Though it may seem overwhelming, many dogs and their owners find hope and improvement through a consistent separation anxiety protocol. As Flores puts it, recovery is possible! With the right support, both you and your dog can enjoy a better quality of life.