Separation anxiety is a common yet distressing issue faced by many pet parents, where dogs exhibit disruptive or destructive behaviors when left alone. These can range from house soiling and excessive barking to chewing, digging, and escape attempts. While these behaviors might seem like a lack of house training or a disregard for personal belongings, they can often be indicators of underlying distress, specifically separation anxiety. This condition is triggered when dogs become upset due to being separated from their guardians, the people to whom they are deeply attached. Escape attempts by dogs with separation anxiety can be extreme, potentially leading to self-injury and significant household destruction, particularly around exits like windows and doors.
Some dogs display agitation as their guardians prepare to leave, while others may seem anxious or depressed when alone. Certain dogs might even try to prevent their guardians from departing. Typically, dogs experiencing separation anxiety will begin barking and exhibiting distress behaviors shortly after being left alone, often within minutes. Upon the guardian’s return, the dog may react as if they haven’t seen their owner in a very long time. The primary goal when treating separation anxiety is to resolve the dog’s underlying distress by teaching them to enjoy, or at least tolerate, being alone. This is achieved by creating positive associations with the situation that provokes their anxiety.
Common Symptoms of Separation Anxiety
Several behavioral changes can signal separation anxiety in dogs:
- Urinating and Defecating: Some dogs soil their living space when left alone. If a dog eliminates in the presence of their guardian, the issue is likely not separation anxiety.
- Barking and Howling: Persistent barking or howling when left alone, not triggered by external stimuli, can be a symptom.
- Chewing, Digging, and Destruction: Destructive behaviors directed at objects, door frames, or window sills, often occurring around exits, can indicate separation anxiety. These actions may lead to self-injury.
- Escaping: Attempts to escape confinement when left alone, often resulting in self-injury through chewing or digging at doors and windows.
- Pacing: A consistent pattern of walking or trotting along a specific path when alone.
- Coprophagia: Ingesting excrement when left alone. This behavior typically does not occur in the guardian’s presence if it stems from separation anxiety.
Potential Triggers for Separation Anxiety
While the exact cause of separation anxiety isn’t definitively known, it’s believed that significant life changes can trigger its development. Dogs adopted from shelters often exhibit this behavior more frequently than those raised in a single family since puppyhood, suggesting that the loss of a primary attachment figure can be a contributing factor. Other events that may trigger separation anxiety include:
- Change of Guardian or Family: Abandonment, surrender to a shelter, or being rehomed.
- Change in Schedule: Abrupt alterations in routine, such as a guardian who previously worked from home now leaving the dog alone for extended periods.
- Change in Residence: Moving to a new home.
- Change in Household Membership: The absence of a family member due to death or moving away.
Ruling Out Medical and Behavioral Issues
Before diagnosing separation anxiety, it’s crucial to rule out other potential causes for the observed behaviors.
Medical Problems to Rule Out First
- Incontinence: Medical conditions can cause a dog to leak or involuntarily void their bladder. Various issues, including urinary tract infections, hormonal imbalances, bladder stones, diabetes, and kidney disease, can lead to incontinence. A veterinarian should be consulted to rule out these medical causes.
- Medications: Certain medications can increase urination frequency and lead to house soiling. Consult your veterinarian to determine if any of your dog’s medications might be contributing to the problem.
Other Behavior Problems to Rule Out
- Submissive or Excitement Urination: Urination during greetings, play, or when being reprimanded, often accompanied by submissive postures.
- Incomplete House Training: Inconsistent training or punishment-based methods can lead to occasional accidents indoors.
- Urine Marking: Urinating small amounts on vertical surfaces, often accompanied by leg-lifting in males.
- Juvenile Destruction: Destructive chewing or digging in young dogs, which can occur even when guardians are present. For more information, refer to articles on destructive chewing.
- Boredom: Disruptive behavior due to a lack of mental stimulation, not typically accompanied by anxiety signs.
- Excessive Barking or Howling: Vocalization in response to environmental triggers, occurring both when guardians are home and away. Consult articles on barking and howling.
Treatment Strategies for Separation Anxiety
The approach to treating separation anxiety depends on its severity.
Treatment for Mild Separation Anxiety
For mild cases, counterconditioning can be effective. This process involves associating being alone with positive experiences, such as highly desirable food-stuffed toys. When you leave, provide a puzzle toy filled with treats that will take your dog at least 20-30 minutes to empty. Examples include a KONG® stuffed with low-fat cream cheese, peanut butter, or frozen fruits, which can be frozen to increase the challenge. These special toys should only be accessible when your dog is alone, reinforcing the positive association with solitude.
Treatment for Moderate to Severe Separation Anxiety
Moderate to severe cases require a more structured desensitization and counterconditioning program. This involves gradually increasing the duration of your absences, starting with very short periods that do not provoke anxiety. It is crucial to avoid overwhelming the dog, as this can worsen their fear. Due to the complexity and the need for careful observation of a dog’s reactions, professional guidance from a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB), a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB), or a qualified Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) experienced in fear-based behaviors is highly recommended. For assistance in finding a professional, consult the article on Finding Professional Behavior Help.
Key steps in a desensitization and counterconditioning program include:
- Step One: Predeparture Cues: If your dog shows anxiety as you prepare to leave (e.g., putting on shoes, picking up keys), practice these cues randomly throughout the day without actually leaving. This helps your dog learn that these cues do not always predict a departure.
- Step Two: Graduated Departures/Absences: Begin with extremely short absences (1-2 seconds), gradually increasing the duration as your dog remains calm. Incorporate counterconditioning by providing a stuffed food toy just before leaving. It’s vital to ensure your dog is fully relaxed between absences and to progress slowly, observing for any signs of stress. The goal is to build up to longer absences, eventually reaching 4-8 hours.
During treatment, it’s essential to prevent your dog from experiencing their full-blown anxiety. This means avoiding leaving them alone except during training sessions. Alternative arrangements include taking your dog to work, having someone stay with them, using doggy daycare, or, in moderate weather, leaving them in a car.
Calm greetings and departures are also important. Keep goodbyes brief and low-key, and upon returning, greet your dog calmly and wait for them to relax before giving full attention.
To Crate or Not to Crate?
Crate training can be beneficial if the crate becomes a safe space for the dog. However, for some dogs, crates can increase stress. Monitor your dog’s behavior; if they show signs of distress in the crate, consider confining them to a single room using a baby gate instead.
Provide Plenty of “Jobs” for Your Dog to Do
Enriching your dog’s life with physical and mental stimulation is crucial. Ensure at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily, ideally before you leave. Engage in interactive games, take varied daily walks, and allow play with other dogs if your dog is social. Provide food puzzle toys and various chew items, as chewing and licking have calming effects. Hide kibble around the house for your dog to “hunt.” Enroll in reward-based training classes to enhance mental activity and your bond. Participating in dog sports like agility can also be beneficial.
Medications Might Help
For severe cases, or when behavior modification alone is insufficient, medication prescribed by a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist can be very helpful. Anti-anxiety medications can help dogs tolerate isolation and facilitate quicker progress with behavior modification. In rare instances, medication alone might resolve mild separation anxiety, but a combination of medication and behavior modification is most common. Always consult your veterinarian before administering any medication.
What NOT to Do
Never scold or punish your dog for behaviors associated with separation anxiety. These are distress responses, not acts of disobedience. Punishment can exacerbate the anxiety and worsen the problem.
