By PIA SILVANIA
We routinely get frantic calls from
desperate owners who are at their wits
end, not knowing what to do. They love
their pets but can’t continue to live with
dogs that are destroying their homes.
“He’s got separation anxiety” is what
we trainers typically hear. Perhaps,
but not necessarily.
Separation anxiety occurs when an
animal exhibits symptoms of anxiety or
excessive distress, especially when left
alone. The most common behaviors
exhibited by dogs are digging; chewing
and scratching at doorways, windows or
moldings in an attempt to escape;
excessive vocalization; urination and
defecation (despite the fact that the dog
is housetrained) when the owners are
gone; drooling, pant-ing and pacing.
If confined, some may go to great
extremes resulting in injury to them-
selves. Clients have described their
dogs as being “Velcro” when they are
home, engaging in overly excited
greetings when the owner returns
or exhibiting extreme distress when
the owner is about to leave.
What causes the dog to suffer
separation anxiety? Unfortunately,
we really don’t know why some dogs
develop it and others don’t. Some
possible reasons:
A history of abuse or multiple homes.
Traumatic events when dogs are young.
Sudden changes in normal environment and routines.
Never having been left home alone.
How do you know whether your dog has separation anxiety or just needs more training?
Every dog will react somewhat differently with varying levels of destruction and anxiety. It
is important to understand that the dog’s anxiety peaks within 30 minutes of departure.
Vocaliza-tion can occur for hours, depending on the stress level. Some may not eat, chew
on bones or drink unless the owner is present. In rare cases, dogs will engage in self-
mutilation such as chewing on themselves or excessively licking certain areas of their
bodies.
The key to remember, however, is that the dog is NOT acting out, getting back at you or
angry with you for leaving. The dog is stressed and can not control its behaviors. If your
dog chews on the sofa or clothing regardless of whether you are home or not; is not fully
housetrained (rarely has accidents in the house); vocalizes when you are home,
confinement and more training may be all that’s required.
A Treatment Plan
If a physical exam by your veterinarian confirms that your dog is in good health and there
are no medical causes for the disturbing behaviors and an evaluation determines that he
is suffering from true separation anxiety, you’ll be ready to begin treatment. Here are a
few tips.
A combination of behavior and medication is often recommended and you will need to
follow it carefully. Medication alone is not a cure but may be needed to help your dog relax
so that he can successfully perform the modification exercises developed specifically for
him.
Always keep your arrival greetings and departures low key. This is typically more difficult
for owners than their dogs. There is no reason for a “party” every time you come home.
Your dog already thinks you are the most wonderful thing on earth and he still will, even
without a lot of hoopla every time you arrive.
When home, do not permit your dog to attach itself to you. Close doors when you use the
bathroom. Teach him to down / stay on a mat away from you; give him a safe bone on his
mat and put up a gate between two rooms, teaching him to settle down at a distance
away from you. Ignore any vocalization. If you even tell him “quiet” he has succeeded in
getting you to pay attention to him.
Avoid the common pitfalls of owners who try to speed up the processing of improving
their dogs’ conditions. For example, don’t punish your dog for his behaviors — it’s not
effective and can even make matters worse. Don’t get a companion animal in the hope
that its presence will cure your dog. His separation anxiety is from you. Rely on the
behaviorist to determine when and what type of training class your dog should attend.
A systematic process of getting your dog to be okay with being alone takes time, weeks
or possibly months. The dog must learn to remain calm during practice departures and
short absences and the best ways to get success will vary with each dog. Seeking
professional help is vital. Your veterinarian and an applied animal or veterinary
behaviorist or certified dog trainer can assist you in identifying the best course of
treatment for your dog.
Don’t give up! Remember that true separation anxiety is a complex disorder. There is no
one recipe to cure the condition. Having patience and obtaining guidance from a
professional will enable the establishment of a systematic treatment plan and can
usually improve your dog’s emotional health and minimize your frustration.
We routinely get frantic calls from
desperate owners who are at their wits
end, not knowing what to do. They love
their pets but can’t continue to live with
dogs that are destroying their homes.
“He’s got separation anxiety” is what
we trainers typically hear. Perhaps,
but not necessarily.
Separation anxiety occurs when an
animal exhibits symptoms of anxiety or
excessive distress, especially when left
alone. The most common behaviors
exhibited by dogs are digging; chewing
and scratching at doorways, windows or
moldings in an attempt to escape;
excessive vocalization; urination and
defecation (despite the fact that the dog
is housetrained) when the owners are
gone; drooling, pant-ing and pacing.
If confined, some may go to great
extremes resulting in injury to them-
selves. Clients have described their
dogs as being “Velcro” when they are
home, engaging in overly excited
greetings when the owner returns
or exhibiting extreme distress when
the owner is about to leave.
What causes the dog to suffer
separation anxiety? Unfortunately,
we really don’t know why some dogs
develop it and others don’t. Some
possible reasons:
A history of abuse or multiple homes.
Traumatic events when dogs are young.
Sudden changes in normal environment and routines.
Never having been left home alone.
How do you know whether your dog has separation anxiety or just needs more training?
Every dog will react somewhat differently with varying levels of destruction and anxiety. It
is important to understand that the dog’s anxiety peaks within 30 minutes of departure.
Vocaliza-tion can occur for hours, depending on the stress level. Some may not eat, chew
on bones or drink unless the owner is present. In rare cases, dogs will engage in self-
mutilation such as chewing on themselves or excessively licking certain areas of their
bodies.
The key to remember, however, is that the dog is NOT acting out, getting back at you or
angry with you for leaving. The dog is stressed and can not control its behaviors. If your
dog chews on the sofa or clothing regardless of whether you are home or not; is not fully
housetrained (rarely has accidents in the house); vocalizes when you are home,
confinement and more training may be all that’s required.
A Treatment Plan
If a physical exam by your veterinarian confirms that your dog is in good health and there
are no medical causes for the disturbing behaviors and an evaluation determines that he
is suffering from true separation anxiety, you’ll be ready to begin treatment. Here are a
few tips.
A combination of behavior and medication is often recommended and you will need to
follow it carefully. Medication alone is not a cure but may be needed to help your dog relax
so that he can successfully perform the modification exercises developed specifically for
him.
Always keep your arrival greetings and departures low key. This is typically more difficult
for owners than their dogs. There is no reason for a “party” every time you come home.
Your dog already thinks you are the most wonderful thing on earth and he still will, even
without a lot of hoopla every time you arrive.
When home, do not permit your dog to attach itself to you. Close doors when you use the
bathroom. Teach him to down / stay on a mat away from you; give him a safe bone on his
mat and put up a gate between two rooms, teaching him to settle down at a distance
away from you. Ignore any vocalization. If you even tell him “quiet” he has succeeded in
getting you to pay attention to him.
Avoid the common pitfalls of owners who try to speed up the processing of improving
their dogs’ conditions. For example, don’t punish your dog for his behaviors — it’s not
effective and can even make matters worse. Don’t get a companion animal in the hope
that its presence will cure your dog. His separation anxiety is from you. Rely on the
behaviorist to determine when and what type of training class your dog should attend.
A systematic process of getting your dog to be okay with being alone takes time, weeks
or possibly months. The dog must learn to remain calm during practice departures and
short absences and the best ways to get success will vary with each dog. Seeking
professional help is vital. Your veterinarian and an applied animal or veterinary
behaviorist or certified dog trainer can assist you in identifying the best course of
treatment for your dog.
Don’t give up! Remember that true separation anxiety is a complex disorder. There is no
one recipe to cure the condition. Having patience and obtaining guidance from a
professional will enable the establishment of a systematic treatment plan and can
usually improve your dog’s emotional health and minimize your frustration.
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