You've built an incredible bond with your dog and it's understandable that when the two of you are apart that you'll miss them and they'll miss you. But could your pooch have separation anxiety? And if so, what can you do about it?
We spoke to Dog Behaviourist and Trainer Dogtor Adem Fehmi to find out more.
What are common symptoms of separation anxiety?
There are several signs that your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. The most extreme signs that you might see can include physical destruction of items or the home environment, defecating or urinating, barking or howling, pacing, and shaking when left alone or separated from a particular family member or another pet in the home.
In rarer cases, a dog may also cause physical harm to themselves through self-mutilation. Other, often more subtle, signs that can indicate that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety may include your dog being your ‘shadow’ when you are at home and not wanting to let you out of their sight, your dog not wanting to rest in a room or space in the house that is away from you or other family members, your dog needing to be physically close to you or other family members at all times, or your dog sitting by a door or window in your absence until your return.
Why do some dogs develop it?
Separation anxiety in dogs can come about for many reasons. The underlying causes can be complex and can stem from a variety of factors. Common factors include the loss of a family member or another pet that they have lived with, or a change in routine such as we have seen with the pandemic and people working from home more often and therefore dogs becoming accustomed to having more company than before.
Dogs can also develop separation anxiety as a result of a change in context, for example staying in a new environment such as a boarding establishment, B&B or family/friend’s house. Another factor that can contribute to the development of this behavioural issue is a lack of effective exercise, which can lead to a dog having excess energy that then turns into ‘anxious energy’. Think about how we as humans often feel much calmer and are able to rest and sleep better after exercising. The same is true for your dog!
Do some specific breeds get anxious more than others?
All breeds of dog can develop this behavioural issue. It is less about the breed of dog and more about your dog’s natural temperament and character coupled with how you as an owner live with your dog. Some temperaments of dogs will be more likely to develop this behavioural issue however with the right set up, routines, and training in place this can be prevented.
What should I do if my dog has separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety in dogs is a behavioural issue that should be taken very seriously. Even if your dog is not causing physical damage or displaying extreme physical behaviours when left alone or separated from a particular family member or animal companion, if you believe that your dog has separation anxiety you should look to help your dog to overcome this behavioural issue as soon as possible.
Adem's top tips for overcoming separation anxiety
These tips will help to build your dog’s confidence, independence, and ability to settle and relax when physically away from you. As with all behavioural issues, separation anxiety in dogs can be complex. Although these tips can be used as a guideline, if your dog is experiencing separation anxiety it is recommended that you seek advice from an accredited behaviourist so that they are able to tailor the training to your individual dog and home routines.
Exercise your dog before leaving them
This is beneficial for all dogs, but particularly if your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. Effectively exercising your dog will help to drain some of your dog’s energy, energy that they might otherwise put into worrying about being left. A well-exercised dog is also more likely to settle and rest in your absence than one who is raring to go! Similar to the benefits that exercise has on us as humans, exercise has a positive effect on the mental wellbeing of our dogs and can help to keep them calm. When exercising your dog consider their life stage and physical capabilities and tailor their exercise accordingly.
Give your dog something to do
Just like us humans, dogs can and will get bored when left alone with nothing to do. This boredom can promote and exacerbate any anxiety they might be prone to feeling when physically away from you. By offering your dog something to do in your absence you can provide mental stimulation and outlet for your dog, helping to keep boredom and anxiety at bay.
Giving your dog something to do will also act as a positive reinforcer for being left alone and help to make this a positive experience. A food dispensing toy is perfect for this activity. Start by making the food easy to remove and, as your dog’s interest builds and they become more expert at reaching the food, you can up the challenge! For the expert ‘gamer’, you can even freeze some moist food in some types of rubber food dispensing toys to ensure they last a little longer.
Create a calm environment for your dog to relax in
Playing classical or soft music can help your dog to relax. Classic FM is always a winner in my house! Music can also help to drown out any external noises that might otherwise cause your dog to worry. A nice comfortable and inviting bed can also help and encourage your dog to relax in your absence.
Set and practice ‘the scene’ when you are in
By this I mean practise asking your dog to be physically away from you when you are at home together. We want our dogs to feel confident and build their independence so that when they are away from us they are able to feel comfortable, relaxed and content in our absence rather than anxious.
An easy way to set and practice the scene initially is to use a light barrier such as a baby gate so your dog can still see you but is physically distanced from you. Once they are able to relax in this context this can then be built on, with further distances and times away from you practised and achieved. Practice little and often and build up the time and distance that you are asking them to be away from you slowly, teaching your dog there is nothing to worry about if you are not by their side 100% of the time. Don’t be afraid to go back a step if need be and don’t forget to complete steps 1, 2 & 3 before each practice session.
Be calm on your return to your dog
We want our dogs to learn that us coming and going throughout the day is normal and not a big deal or to be feared. By not making a big deal out of leaving them or returning to them we can help them to understand this.
It is completely possible to overcome this behavioural issue should your dog be showing signs of stress when left alone. The key is not to expect too much too soon and to take your training slowly and at your dog’s pace. It is important to ensure that your dog does not get stressed by a sudden change in routine. It may be necessary to have someone like a pet sitter or family member look after your dog, staying with them if they are experiencing separation anxiety, until you have worked through the training and you are able to safely leave them without them becoming distressed.