Dog Separation Anxiety: How to Understand and Resolve Your Pet's Distress
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| Dog Separation Anxiety: How to Understand and Resolve Your Pet's Distress |
One common concern among pet owners is their dogs' disruptive or destructive behavior when left alone. This may include urination, defecation, excessive barking, howling, chewing, digging, or attempts to escape. While such behaviors can indicate a need for basic training in house manners, they may also signal underlying distress, particularly if accompanied by other anxious behaviors like drooling and agitation when the owner prepares to leave.
Separation anxiety occurs when dogs become upset due to being separated from their primary caregivers, to whom they are deeply attached. Dogs with separation anxiety often engage in extreme escape attempts, which can lead to self-injury and damage to household items, particularly near exit points like doors and windows.
Symptoms of separation anxiety vary among dogs. Some become visibly agitated when their owners prepare to leave, while others exhibit signs of anxiety or depression in their absence. Some dogs may even attempt to prevent their owners from leaving altogether. Upon being left alone, dogs with separation anxiety typically display distress behaviors such as barking shortly after their owner's departure, sometimes within minutes. Upon their return, the dog may greet them as if they've been separated for an extended period, displaying intense excitement.
Treating separation anxiety in dogs involves addressing the underlying anxiety and teaching the dog to feel comfortable being alone or at least tolerate it. This is achieved by gradually exposing the dog to being alone in a controlled manner, ensuring that they do not experience fear or anxiety during the process.
Common Symptoms of Separation Anxiety
Here are potential signs that could indicate separation anxiety:
Urinating and Defecating
When dogs urinate or defecate while left alone or apart from their owners, it may indicate separation anxiety. However, if a dog exhibits these behaviors in the presence of their owner, it's less likely to be due to separation anxiety.
Barking and Howling
When a dog experiences separation anxiety, it may bark or howl persistently when left alone or separated from its owner. This type of vocalization is solely triggered by the owner's absence and continues in their absence.
Chewing, Digging, and Destruction
Some dogs suffer from separation anxiety, and when left alone, they may exhibit destructive behaviors like chewing on objects, door frames, or window sills and digging at doors and doorways. Participating in such actions may lead to self-inflicted injuries, like chipped teeth or harmed paws. Interestingly, if a dog's destructive behaviors are due to separation anxiety, they typically do not occur when the owner is present.
Escaping
In separation anxiety, a dog may attempt to escape from its confined area whenever left alone. This may involve digging or chewing through doors or windows, potentially leading to self-injury like broken teeth or scraped paws. Notably, if the dog's escape attempts are due to separation anxiety, they usually do not happen when the guardian is present.
Pacing
Some dogs are left alone or separated from their guardians and may exhibit pacing behavior, walking or trotting along a specific path in a consistent pattern. This can manifest as circular movements or pacing back and forth in straight lines. If a dog's pacing is attributed to separation anxiety, it typically does not happen when the guardian is around.
Coprophagia
Certain dogs may defecate and ingest some or all of their feces alone or apart from their owners. If a dog engages in this behavior due to separation anxiety, it is unlikely to occur when the guardian is present.
Why Do Some Dogs Develop Separation Anxiety?
While there isn't definitive evidence pinpointing the exact cause of separation anxiety in dogs, there's a prevalent belief that significant changes in a dog's life, such as losing essential individuals or groups, can trigger this behavior. Dogs adopted from shelters tend to exhibit separation anxiety more frequently than those raised in single-family households since puppyhood. Other less dramatic changes can also contribute to the onset of this disorder. Here are some situations associated with the development of separation anxiety.
Change of Guardian on Family
Experiencing abandonment, being surrendered to a shelter, or transitioning to a new guardian or family can be catalysts for the onset of separation anxiety in dogs.
Change in Schedule
A sudden alteration in the routine, such as changes in the duration or timing of when a dog is left alone, can potentially provoke the emergence of separation anxiety. For instance, if a dog's guardian transitions from working at home and being with the dog all day to taking on a new job that necessitates leaving the dog alone for extended periods, separation anxiety may develop due to this shift.
Change in Residence
Relocating to a different home can potentially induce separation anxiety in dogs.
Change in Household Membership
The abrupt departure of a household member, whether caused by relocation or passing away, may prompt the onset of separation anxiety in dogs.
Medical Problems to Rule Out First
Incontinence Caused by Medical Problems
Some dogs may experience house soiling due to incontinence, a medical condition characterized by involuntary bladder emptying. Dogs with this issue may not be aware of their soiling and may even urinate while asleep. Various medical conditions such as urinary tract infections, age-related weakening of the sphincter, post-spay surgery hormonal imbalances, bladder stones, diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing’s disease, neurological disorders, and genital abnormalities can contribute to urinary incontinence in dogs. It's essential to consult your veterinarian to address potential medical concerns before implementing behavior modification techniques for separation anxiety.
Medications
Several medications have the potential to induce frequent urination and house-soiling in dogs. If your dog is on any medications, it's advisable to contact its veterinarian to determine whether these medications could exacerbate its house-soiling issues.
Other Behavior Problems to Rule Out
Identifying whether a dog is experiencing separation anxiety can be challenging as specific behavior issues may manifest similar symptoms. To accurately assess if your dog is indeed dealing with separation anxiety, it's crucial to consider and rule out the following potential behavior problems:
Submissive or Excitement Urination
Certain dogs may urinate during greetings, play, physical contact, or even when receiving reprimands or punishments. These canines frequently exhibit submissive behaviors during interactions, including keeping the tail low, flattening the ears against the head, crouching, or rolling over to expose the belly.
Incomplete House Training
A dog that sporadically urinates indoors may need to be fully house-trained. This could be due to inconsistent training methods or previous punishment, leading to fear of elimination in the owner's presence.
Urine Marking
Certain dogs may urinate indoors as a form of scent marking. This behavior involves depositing small amounts of urine on vertical surfaces. Typically, male dogs, and occasionally female dogs, engage in scent marking by lifting a leg while urinating.
Juvenile Destruction
Numerous young dogs exhibit destructive chewing or digging behaviors, whether their owners are present or absent. For further details on these issues, please refer to our articles on Destructive Chewing.
Boredom
Dogs require mental stimulation, and certain dogs may exhibit disruptive behavior when left alone due to boredom or seeking activity. Such dogs typically do not display signs of anxiety.
Excessive Barking or Howling
Certain dogs may bark or howl in reaction to different stimuli in their surroundings, such as unfamiliar sights and sounds. They often vocalize both when their owners are present and when they're absent. To explore this issue further, refer to our articles on barking and howling.
What to Do if Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety
Treatment for Mild Separation Anxiety
If your dog experiences mild separation anxiety, counterconditioning may alleviate or resolve the issue. Counterconditioning is a therapeutic technique that shifts an animal's fearful, anxious, or aggressive response to a pleasant, relaxed one instead. This is achieved by associating the presence of a feared or disliked person, animal, place, object, or situation with something delightful for the dog. With time, the dog learns that whatever triggers their fear predicts positive outcomes.
For dogs struggling with separation anxiety, counterconditioning aims to establish a positive connection between solitude and rewarding experiences, such as delicious food. To foster this association, offer your dog a puzzle toy filled with treats every time you depart the house. Opt for items like a KONG® stuffed with enticing treats such as low-fat cream cheese, spray cheese, peanut butter, frozen banana, cottage cheese, or canned dog food mixed with kibble. Freezing the toy can prolong the activity and engagement of your dog. Remove these unique toys upon your return so your dog can only access them and their enticing contents when alone.
Consider incorporating your dog's daily meals into these unique toys. For instance, provide a KONG or similar toy stuffed with breakfast and treats each morning before leaving for work. Keep in mind, however, that this method is effective primarily for mild cases of separation anxiety, as highly anxious dogs typically won't eat in their owner's absence.
Treatment for Moderate to Severe Separation Anxiety
For cases of separation anxiety that are moderate or severe, a thorough desensitization and counterconditioning program is required. This involves gradually familiarizing the dog with being alone by initiating numerous short separations that do not evoke fear, then progressively extending the separations over several weeks of consistent daily sessions.
Below are the critical steps of a desensitization and counterconditioning program, presented in brief. However, it's important to note that this is a condensed overview.
Desensitization and counterconditioning are intricate processes that require careful execution. Fear must be avoided, as any inadvertent triggering of anxiety can hinder progress. Since treatment protocols need to be adjusted based on the pet's responses, and interpreting these reactions can be challenging, guidance from a qualified and experienced professional is essential. Consider consulting with a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB) or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB) for assistance devising and implementing a desensitization and counterconditioning plan. If a behaviorist is unavailable, seek support from a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT), ensuring they possess the necessary expertise in fear treatment using desensitization and counterconditioning techniques. Verify their qualifications and experience before proceeding. For assistance locating a qualified professional, refer to our article "Finding Professional Behavior Help."
Step One: Predeparture Cues
As previously mentioned, some dogs exhibit signs of anxiety as their guardians prepare to leave. For instance, a dog may begin pacing, panting, and whining upon observing his guardian engage in activities like applying makeup, donning shoes and a coat, and then grabbing a bag or car keys. (If your dog does not display signs of anxiety during your pre-departure routine, you may proceed directly to step two below.) Guardians of dogs experiencing distress during pre-departure rituals find it challenging to leave—even for brief intervals—without triggering their dogs’ extreme anxiety. Your dog may recognize cues indicating your departure (such as donning your coat or picking up your keys) and become so apprehensive about being left alone that he loses control and forgets that you will return.
One method for addressing this "pre-departure anxiety" involves teaching your dog that picking up keys or wearing a coat does not always signify your departure. This can be achieved by exposing your dog to these cues in varying sequences several times daily without leaving. For instance, put on your coat and boots, then simply relax and watch TV instead of exiting. Alternatively, pick up your keys and sit at the kitchen table. By doing so, your dog's anxiety can diminish as these cues no longer consistently precede your departure, reducing his anxiety response. However, it's important to note that your dog has learned the significance of your departure cues over many years. Therefore, to unlearn the association between these cues and your prolonged absence, your dog must encounter these simulated cues numerous times throughout the day over several weeks. Once your dog no longer becomes anxious upon witnessing your pre-departure routine, you can proceed to the next step outlined below.
Step Two: Graduated Departures/Absences
If your dog exhibits less anxiety before your departure, you may bypass the pre-departure treatment outlined above and proceed directly to brief absences. The fundamental guideline is to ensure that your absences are shorter than the time it takes for your dog to become distressed. To initiate this process, train your dog to perform out-of-sight stays near an interior door in your home, such as the bathroom. You can teach your dog to sit or lie and wait while you move to the other side of the bathroom door. (For additional assistance, you can contact a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. Please refer to our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help, to locate a CPDT nearby.) Gradually extend the duration of your absence on the other side of the door, out of your dog's sight. Simultaneously, you can acclimate your dog to pre-departure cues while practicing the stay command. For instance, ask your dog to stay, put on your coat, pick up your bag, and retreat to the bathroom while your dog remains in position.
Progress to conducting out-of-sight stay exercises near a bedroom door and sessions near an exit. If you typically exit through the front door, begin exercises at the back door initially. When you transition to working with your dog at exit doors, he should exhibit minimal anxiety due to his familiarity with the "stay game." You can introduce very brief absences into your training regimen at this juncture. Start with absences lasting just one to two seconds, gradually extending the duration you're out of your dog's sight. Once you've progressed to five to ten-second separations, incorporate counterconditioning by offering your dog a stuffed food toy before departing. This food-stuffed toy is a safety cue, signaling your dog that the separation is "safe."
During your training sessions, allow several minutes between absences. Following each brief separation, ensure your dog is completely relaxed before departing again. Rushing into subsequent absences while your dog is still excited from your return may heighten arousal, making it harder for him to tolerate subsequent separations and potentially exacerbating the problem. When leaving and returning, maintain a calm demeanor to minimize the contrast between your presence and absence.
Determining when your dog can tolerate longer separations requires careful judgment, as each dog reacts differently. Watch for signs of stress, such as dilated pupils, panting, yawning, salivating, trembling, pacing, and exuberant greeting. If you observe signs of stress, reduce the duration of your departures until your dog can relax again. Then, gradually resume training at that level, progressing more cautiously.
To prepare your dog for more prolonged absences, devote considerable time to gradually increasing the duration of your departures, as most anxious responses occur within the initial 40 minutes of solitude. Over weeks, incrementally extend the length of your absences by a few seconds per session or every couple of sessions based on your dog's tolerance level. Once your dog can endure 40 minutes of separation without distress, you can expand absences in larger increments (initially 5-minute increments, then progressing to 15-minute increments). Aim for your dog to remain alone for 90 minutes without experiencing anxiety, indicating readiness for extended solitude. As a precaution, begin with four-hour absences initially and gradually work up to eight-hour intervals over several days.
With consistent effort, this treatment process can yield results within a few weeks, mainly if you conduct multiple daily sessions on weekends and twice-daily sessions during the workweek, typically before departing for work and in the evenings.
A Necessary Component of Separation Anxiety Treatment
During the desensitization process for any fear, ensuring that your dog never encounters the full intensity of what triggers his anxiety or fear is crucial. He should only encounter a mild version that doesn't trigger fear. Otherwise, he won't learn to feel calm and at ease in upsetting situations. This means your dog should not be left alone during separation anxiety treatment except during desensitization sessions. Fortunately, there are various alternative arrangements available:
- If feasible, bring your dog to work with you.
- Arrange for a family member, friend, or dog sitter to stay with your dog at home when you're away. (Most dogs with separation anxiety fare well if someone is present. This person doesn't necessarily have to be you.)
- Take your dog to a sitter's residence or a doggy daycare facility.
- Some dogs with separation anxiety tolerate being left in a car. However, this should only be attempted in moderate weather conditions. Caution: Dogs can suffer from heatstroke and even die if left in cars in warm weather (70 degrees Fahrenheit and above), even for short periods. DO NOT leave your dog in a car unless you're confident the interior won't become overheated.
In addition to your graduated absences exercises, all greetings (hellos and goodbyes) should be conducted calmly. When bidding farewell, simply give your dog a pat on the head, say goodbye, and leave. Similarly, upon returning home, greet your dog briefly, then refrain from further interaction until he's calm and relaxed. The time it takes for your dog to relax upon your return will vary based on his anxiety level and individual temperament. To reduce your dog's excitement upon arrival, consider engaging him in simple learned behaviors like sitting, downing, or shaking.