We share close bonds with our dogs, and they’re the most content when surrounded by family. While they might not have a firm concept of “missing” someone, there’s no denying their joy when you come home after a long day.
Yet, there’s a fine line between your dog greeting you at the front door after a long day versus destroying your home in your absence. Destructive behavior could signal separation anxiety, a concern that requires your immediate attention. Continue reading to learn more.
What Causes Separation Anxiety in Dogs?
Some dogs are naturally anxious and just miss you when you leave. Others may be struggling with more serious issues. According to the ASPCA, a massive amount of shelter pups struggle with this disorder, proving it has a lot to do with the fear of being left behind.
Other causes of separation anxiety include:
- Changes in schedules
- A new home
- The addition of a new baby or pet
- Medical conditions, such as incontinence
- History of abuse or neglect
- Being left at home during a frightening event (such as fireworks)
Signs Your Dog Suffers from Separation Anxiety
A well-adjusted dog that misses their owner will either sleep or find ways to entertain themselves. They’re secure that their person will return and have built enough confidence to remain calm. However, if you notice any of the following signs, your dog could have separation anxiety. This is more than “missing” someone; it’s a behavioral concern in response to fear, uncertainty, or a history of abuse.
Signs of separation anxiety in dogs include:
Destructive Behaviors While You’re Gone
If your otherwise well-behaved dog is chewing up shoes, digging at doorways, or scratching and biting at your windowsills, there is a chance they are trying to tell you something.
These behaviors are not to get back at you or to make you mad; it is a sign your companion is anxious and misses you. Dogs will nest your items as comfort or might claw and chew at the door to get outside to find you.
Excessive Barking and Howling
Dogs with separation anxiety are known to start barking uncontrollably and excessively when they are separated from their human. Barking and howling due to separation anxiety typically only occurs when you are not home and isn’t a constant issue.
Urinating or Defecating in Unusual Places
If your otherwise well-potty-trained pup pees or poops on the floor in your home while you are out, that is a great indication they are struggling with your absence. Some dogs have been known to partake in coprophagia, which is the consumption of their own feces when their guardian is gone.
Pacing Back and Forth
Many dogs suffering from separation anxiety will pace the same path back and forth, impatiently waiting for you to come home. While some pets will pace through hallways or from a bedroom to the front door and back, others will walk in circles.
Options if Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety
Dealing with separation anxiety in dogs can be difficult, especially if the behavior is on an extreme level. Luckily, that doesn’t mean it can’t be treated, and all cases can end in a stress-free routine. Two options include:
Preparing Your Dog for Your Departure
When you are getting ready for work in the morning, take the time to also get your dog ready for your absence.
A tired dog will miss you less after you leave, so taking them for a long walk or a vigorous play session in the backyard is one great option. Thirty minutes is the ideal amount of time to exercise your furry friend.
Another way to help ease your pup’s anxiety is by offering them a delicious snack while you are away. You can do this safely by providing a KONG full of peanut butter or leaving a doggy puzzle full of food on the floor. Don’t leave your dog with raw hides or any other snack that can lead to choking while you are not at home.
Engaging in High Anxiety Training
If your dog has extremely high anxiety when you leave, you may have to take things step-by-step, preparing them over a few weeks to deal with their fears.
Start off by leaving your dog in your bedroom by the door. They must sit and wait for a few minutes without you, then come in and give them a treat for behaving.
After successfully achieving a calm dog by the bedroom door, move to the front or back door. Then make the departure a little longer, then a little longer. Once your pet is comfortable knowing you will come home, the anxiety will begin to fade.
