For pet owners, a common concern is the destructive and disruptive behavior their dogs exhibit when left alone. With dogs, Separation Anxiety is a common phenomenon for example, with rescue dogs where owners are away from home a lot.
These actions, such as
- defecation,
- barking,
- urination,
- howling,
- chewing,
- digging or
- escape attempts
- may indicate a need for training, but they can also be signs of distress and separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is when dogs become upset due to separation from their guardians, to whom they are attached. In extreme cases, this can lead to self-injury and household destruction, particularly near exit points.
Dogs with separation anxiety may become agitated when their guardians prepare to leave, and then exhibit anxiety or depression, or try to prevent their departure.
Usually, once the guardian leaves, the dog will start barking and showing distress behaviors within minutes. Upon the guardian’s return, the dog acts as though they haven’t seen them in years.
The goal in treating separation anxiety is to help the dog overcome their underlying anxiety by teaching them to enjoy, or at least tolerate, being alone.
Separation Anxiety in dogs – Medical Issues to Rule Out for Incontinence
The symptoms may cause incontinence which also often accompanies separation anxiety, so it’s a good idea to consider this first. Urinary incontinence in dogs may be due to several medical conditions such as
- urinary tract infections,
- weak sphincter due to age,
- hormone imbalances after spay,
- bladder stones,
- diabetes,
- kidney disease,
- Cushing’s disease,
- neurological issues, and
- genital abnormalities.
Before addressing behavior modification, it’s best to consult a veterinarian to rule out any medical problems.
Medications and Urination Certain medications can lead to frequent urination and house soiling in dogs. If your dog is taking any medications, consult a veterinarian to determine if they are contributing to the issue.
Other Behavior Problems to Consider
Also, before reaching a conclusion that Separation Anxiety is responsible for the undesirable behaviour, it’s important to rule out submissive or excitement urination, incomplete house training, urine marking, juvenile destruction, boredom, and excessive barking/howling.
Behavioral Treatment for Separation-Related Issues
As your dog’s owner, your arrival and departure should be kept low-key.
- Enter and exit quietly and calmly. Rather than ignore your dog when you are departing, dogs with mild separation anxiety may benefit from one minute of slow, gentle petting and soothing talk.
- Dogs with moderate to severe separation anxiety should either be ignored or simply be told “See you tonight” as the owner leaves.
- When returning, wait for the dog to calm down before greeting. Otherwise the greeting is associated with the dog’s own excitement, which the dog then thinks is desirable behavior.
- Leave familiar-smelling clothing with the dog. Your scent can help soothe anxiety and provide comfort. Use old clothing, not valuable items.
- Auditory therapy can help calm dogs. Some studies found that audiobooks reduced barking, while others found specific music, such as classical pieces or calming music for dogs, to be effective in reducing anxiety.
- Ensure adequate exercise. Dogs should exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, with more added if separation anxiety persists. See our Exercise Article for more tips.
- Provide toys to keep the dog occupied. Treat-filled toys such as Kongs can provide a pleasant distraction. Learn more in our Canine Enrichment article.
Management techniques are not enough for some moderate to severe cases. Desensitization, gradually exposing the dog to longer periods of alone time without panic, will be necessary.
To tackle separation-related problems in dogs, a few behavioral tips can help, like reducing the dog’s dependence on its owner, no punishment for separation issues, engaging activities for the dog while alone, and systematic desensitization.
Systematic Desensitization
This is a behavioral technique that’s proven effective in reducing separation-related behavior issues in dogs. It’s similar to human phobia treatment and was developed for dogs in the 1960s and 1970s.
The process involves exposing the dog to mild versions of the feared stimulus (in this case, owner absence) that won’t cause anxiety, gradually increasing the intensity.
Owners start by leaving for a few seconds, then re-entering and praising the dog. The length of separation increases until the dog can handle the previous trigger without exhibiting problem behaviors.
Counterconditioning
The last technique is often combined with counterconditioning, where aversive stimuli are linked with pleasurable activities using classical conditioning.
This means when the dog is in a usually anxiety-provoking situation, the presence of food will suppress the anxiety.
Over time, the previously anxiety-inducing stimulus will become linked with happy feelings, incompatible with anxiety. Research shows that using both systematic desensitization and counterconditioning is successful in treating dog fears and phobias.
Studies by Butler et al found that a program of both techniques was effective when administered by the dog owner, even when separation varied in length.
The results suggest that systematic desensitization can be successful when applied by owners and even when the methods for training are not fully carried out. It is important to note however that these techniques should be taught by a qualified professional.
Here an example of a program for these techniques carried out together:
Step 1:
Predeparture Cues
Dogs can experience anxiety when they perceive their guardian getting ready to leave, such as when they observe the guardian putting on makeup, shoes, coat, and grabbing a bag or keys.
This can result in the dog displaying signs of stress, like pacing, panting, and whining. Guardians of dogs who exhibit this behavior are unable to leave without triggering their pet’s anxiety. This is due to the dog becoming so stressed about being left alone that it forgets that their guardian will return.
To mitigate this predeparture anxiety, a treatment approach is to train the dog to understand that certain cues, such as grabbing keys or putting on a coat, don’t always mean that the guardian is leaving.
This can be done by repeatedly exposing the dog to these cues without actually leaving, like watching TV or sitting at the kitchen table. Over time, the dog will learn that these cues don’t always predict departure, reducing their anxiety.
However, be aware that it may take several weeks of consistent exposure to unlearn the dog’s previous association of these cues with departure. Once the dog no longer displays anxiety during these preparations, the guardian can move on to the next step.
Step 2:
Gradual Departures and Absences
Enhancing your dog’s comfort level during departures can be achieved through a step-by-step process, starting with the shortest absences possible.
Begin by training your dog to remain calm while you’re out of sight, using a door within the home, such as the bathroom.
Gradually increase the duration of your absences and work on incorporating predeparture cues, such as putting on your coat, into your training sessions.
Move on to practicing at a bedroom door, and then eventually at an exit door, alternating between different doors to reduce anxiety.
As your dog becomes more comfortable with the “stay game,” you can begin incorporating very short absences into your training, starting with just 1-2 seconds and gradually increasing the duration over time.
Incorporate counterconditioning by offering your dog a stuffed food toy before each departure, helping them associate the separation with a positive experience.
Between each absence, ensure that your dog is completely relaxed before proceeding to the next one. A calm and quiet demeanor during departures and arrivals will also help to lower the contrast between times when you’re present and times when you’re not.
The progression of this treatment will vary for each dog, and it’s crucial to watch for signs of stress, such as dilated pupils, panting, yawning, salivating, trembling, pacing, or exuberant greetings.
If stress is detected, decrease the duration of the absences and slowly work your way back up. The goal is to eventually reach 40-minute absences and then increase in 5-minute increments until your dog can comfortably handle 4-8 hours of alone time.
This process can take a few weeks and requires daily or twice-daily sessions, with increased frequency on the weekends.
As a necessary component of separation anxiety treatment, it’s important to ensure that your dog never experiences full-blown anxiety during the desensitization process and only experiences low-intensity versions.
To achieve this, alternative arrangements can be made, such as taking your dog to work with you, arranging for a caregiver, enrolling them in doggy daycare, or leaving them in a car.
It’s important to provide a variety of experiences with different people outside the home between the ages of 5-10 months, maintain stable routines and absences, and avoid punishment.
A Vital Element of Separation Anxiety Therapy
It is very important to make sure that your dog only experiences a mild form of the trigger that causes their anxiety or fear while undergoing desensitization therapy.
The objective is to help them feel relaxed and secure in situations that previously caused distress.
As such, during treatment for separation anxiety, your dog must not be left alone except during the desensitization sessions.
There are various alternatives for this, including:
- Bringing your dog to work with you, if feasible.
- Organizing for a family member, friend, or dog-sitter to be with your dog when you’re not there (most dogs with separation anxiety are okay as long as they are not alone).
- Taking your dog to a dog-sitter or a doggy daycare. Some dogs with separation anxiety are comfortable being left in a car, but only under moderate weather conditions.
Please be mindful that leaving a dog in a warm car (70°F and above) can lead to heatstroke and death, even for just a few minutes. It’s important to ensure that the interior of the car won’t heat up before leaving your dog inside.
Factors that predispose dogs to separation-related behavior problems
Research has found a wide range of factors that may contribute to separation anxiety, but much of it is inconclusive or conflicting. Below are some examples of conflicting research findings:
For example, it is generally thought that male dogs are more likely to have anxiety-related problems, but some research has not supported any such sex difference in this type of problem behaviors.
Also, some researchers have found that dogs are more likely to develop separation-related problems if they sleep on the owner’s bed or sofa, while others have not found the same result.
But some researchers have found no link between the source of dog acquisition and the presence of separation-related problems, and they report that dogs obtained from breeders are just as likely as dogs sourced elsewhere to develop separation-related problems.
Other researchers report that dogs obtained from animal shelters, or those that are found, are more likely to develop separation-related problems, and that dogs obtained from friends and family have a lower incidence of separation-related problems.
Higher rates of separation-related behavior problems have been reported for dogs that live with a single adult, a couple, or multiple adults than for those dogs that live with a family with children, but other researchers have found that the presence or absence of children in the home had no effect on the prevalence of separation-related problems.
Some researchers have found an increased probability of separation-related problems with increasing numbers of adult women in the home, whereas other researchers have found no link between sex of the owner and the incidence of a dog’s separation anxiety.
Researchers have found that dogs that have food at their disposal rather than delivered at discrete times and those dogs that are adopted when they are older are more likely to develop separation-related problems.
There is evidence of high rates of separation-related problems among dogs who live in apartments and the incidence of separation-related problems of apartment dogs is higher than their incidence of aggression.
Dogs exposed to humans outside the home, and to a wide range of experiences between the age of 5–10 months are less likely to develop separation-related problems.
Some evidence exists to suggest that dogs that are separated from the litter early (less than 60 days) are more likely to develop problem behaviors, including destructive behavior and excessive vocalization, particularly if those dogs are sourced from pet shops.
There is some evidence that canine separation anxiety can be triggered or exacerbated by a change in the household such as a new human resident, a job change, a change in the routine of owner’s absences from the home, or a single traumatic event.
For example, the separation-related problems of a dog in Butler et al’s study may have been exacerbated when the dog was left for 8 hours alone in a bathroom that flooded with hot water. Another dog’s problems began after it was left tied up in a laundry room by its caregivers for 2 weeks while the owners were away. However, other researchers have not found a link between the onset of separation anxiety and a household change.
To summarize, there are several contributors to the development of canine separation anxiety. Male dogs are more frequently found to demonstrate such problems than female dogs.
Separations from the litter at a young age, particularly for dogs sourced from pet shops, a lack of experience outside the home for puppies aged 5–10 months, and late age at adoption are also risk factors.
Dogs sourced from animal shelters or those that are found may be more likely to display separation anxiety than those sourced from breeders or friends and family. Dogs residing in apartments and in homes with no human children are also at higher risk. Separation-related problems may be triggered or exacerbated by a change in household circumstances such as the addition of a family member or a change in routine.
There is also some evidence that dogs who are excessively attached to their owners are more likely to develop separation anxiety and that anxious dogs generally display more attachment behaviors.
Thus, dogs who are allowed to follow their owners from room to room, who are encouraged to display more overt leaving and greeting behavior, and who are excessively bonded to their owners may be more anxious in their owner’s absence.
Preventing Separation Issues in Dogs
Bringing a new dog into your home can be a joyful experience, but it’s important to take steps to prevent separation-related problems. To ensure a happy and healthy dog, follow these guidelines:
- Provide a well-rounded experience: Give your dog plenty of human interaction and exposure to new things before they reach 5 to 10 months of age to reduce the risk of separation-related problems.
- Maintain a stable routine: Keep your dog’s routine consistent, and try to be predictable in your own comings and goings. Sudden changes in the household or your interaction with your dog can worsen separation issues.
- Avoid long absences: Don’t leave your dog alone for extended periods of time. If you must be away, ask someone you trust to care for your dog or take them with you. Regular, shorter absences are better for your dog than long ones.
- Don’t over-attach: Avoid allowing your dog to follow you from room to room and try to keep goodbyes and hellos low-key. Excessive attachment to people can lead to anxiety.
- Avoid punishment: Don’t use punishment as a training tool, as it increases the likelihood of causing anxiety in your dog.
If you’re thinking of getting a dog:
If you’re thinking of getting a dog, you can help avoid separation-related issues by choosing the right pup.
Research suggests that female dogs and those from family or friends are less likely to have these problems. Steer clear of shelters and strays, unless you have not only a golden heart but patience, understanding and determination in spades!
Avoid puppies taken from their litter before 60 days, especially if from a pet store.
Some Tips for Helping a Dog with Separation Issues
If your dog has separation-related problems, don’t worry, there are steps you can take to improve their behavior. Here’s what you can do:
- No punishment: Don’t punish your dog for their behavior, as it won’t help and can make the problem worse.
- Play music or calming sounds for dogs.
- Systematic desensitization and counterconditioning: The most effective way to treat separation-related problems is to use a combination of these two techniques. Start by leaving your dog for short periods and gradually increase the time, associating your absence with positive experiences, such as feeding.
- Don’t encourage over-attachment to yourself.
- Monitor progress: Consider setting up a video recording device to monitor your dog’s behavior before and during treatment. This can help you see if the treatment is working.
- Medication: Your dog may benefit from medication, such as clomipramine or fluoxetine, when used with behavior modification. Gradually reduce or discontinue the medication once your dog’s behavior improves.