Six tips for managing separation anxiety in dogs

Many dog owners, especially when they spend a lot of time with their dog, find that their dog suffers separation anxiety when it’s time to leave their furry friend.

Because dogs are social animals that prefer to live in groups, they can become anxious and distressed when separated from their owners. Separation anxiety can show itself in a variety of ways: using the house as a toilet, destructive behaviour, barking, digging, and attempting to escape.

While you should consult with your vet if you’re concerned about your dog’s behaviour, there are a few common ways to manage the problem.

Interaction

The first step is to change the way you’re interacting with your dog, including ignoring attention-seeking behaviour and avoiding making a fuss over your dog when you leave or when you return home. This will help make your arrival or departure less of a big deal for your pet.

Desensitisation

You could reduce the stress that’s normally triggered by your departure routine by repeatedly carrying out the activities that alert your dog that about to leave. For example, start putting on your shoes or picking up your bag and keys, but without following through by leaving the house. Over time, your dog will no longer associate these actions with you leaving the house, hopefully cutting off the stress-cycle.

Counter-conditioning           

Developing an association between your departure and something your dog loves, such as a treat or toy, is a great way to ‘counter-condition’ your dog in order to reduce its anxiety. For example, chew toys that can be filled with treats will help your dog associate your absence with something it enjoys, and have the added benefit of keeping the dog occupied by making him work for his treat while you’re out. It is a good idea to take the toy off your dog once you return so he knows it’s only something that comes out when you’re out.

Exercise

Giving your dog some exercise before you leave the house can be helpful in managing anxiety because it burns off energy and hopefully allows your pet to rest while you’re gone.

Read more: 5 Tips for camping with your dogs

Company

If you can, providing company for your pet can be helpful. You might have a neighbour or family member who could spend time with them, or consider using a reputable dog walker or doggy daycare facility.

Training and medication

More extreme cases of separation anxiety may call for a more serious approach involving training and/or pharmaceutical therapies, which you should discuss with your vet.

Does your furry friend get anxious or misbehave when you go out?