Separation anxiety in dogs

Dogs are very social animals who, if given the choice, would probably spend every waking moment in our company! So, since they’ve lived alongside us for thousands of years, being happy to spend time alone doesn’t come naturally for our canine companions. 

In fact, dogs can find being alone a stressful experience, which often leads to anxiety-related behaviours. To help our dogs feel safe and content as we return to work, we need to understand what’s causing their distress…

Why do dogs develop separation anxiety?

There are several possible reasons your dog might develop certain behaviours, and identifying the triggers should help you to better understand them. 

Understanding the cause of your dog’s behaviour could also help you establish whether changes in behaviour are more related to attention-seeking than an anxiety issue.

Boredom

If your dog isn’t getting enough mental and physical stimulation, boredom might be contributing to their behaviour. 

A dog who’s content and provided with enough exercise is less likely to worry that you’ve left, since they’ll be more interested in catching up on some much-needed rest!

Bored dogs might also direct their energy towards destructive behaviours, like digging and chewing, without feeling anxious at all.

Fear and anxiety

If your dog has experienced something negative while they were alone in the past, they’ll probably fear having to spend time by themselves – which can lead to anxious behaviour.

Change in surroundings

From moving house to the death of a loved one, life events can have a big impact on our dogs; especially if these events change their routines. 

It’s important to keep an eye on dogs who’ve had a sudden change in their life, to make sure they’re not at risk of developing anxiety-related behaviours.

Separation anxiety and a global pandemic

Life has changed significantly since the global COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us are at home a lot more than we might have been before the pandemic, and our dogs are used to this new normal. Unfortunately, this means that when you leave your house, or even move between rooms, your dog might be inclined to follow or get distressed if they feel left behind. 

Being able to spot the signs of an anxious dog will empower you to help them adjust to spending short amounts of time at home without you...

What are the signs of separation anxiety in dogs?

You may already recognise some of the common signs of separation anxiety in dogs, like destroying furniture or barking, but there are other behaviours to look out for, too. For example:

• Panting.
• Pacing.
• Lip licking.
• Pinned-back ears.
• Yawning.
• Attempts to follow you or escape.
• Accidents in the home.
• Extreme excitement when you return.
• Trembling.
• Destroying items within the home.
• Barking, howling, or whining.

Please speak to a vet if you’re concerned about your pet’s emotional wellbeing – your vet could direct you to a qualified canine behaviourist if you need extra support.

Treating and preventing dog separation anxiety

Never punish your dog for exhibiting destructive behaviour, instead, follow these steps to help reduce the issue:

Please note: The following activities might prove useful if your dog’s behaviour is caused by other factors, e.g. lack of mental enrichment, not enough exercise, or barking in response to disturbances outside.

Desensitise your dog to “going away” signals

Your dog probably knows when you’re about to leave before you’ve even opened the door! Putting your coat and shoes on, picking up car keys, and saying goodbye are all cues that you’re about to leave your dog – which could trigger their anxiety.

You’ll need to change these associations, so your dog remains calmer when you actually leave the house. Examples of how to do this include:

• Opening the door countless times but not leaving.
• Picking up your keys and going to sit on the sofa.
• Putting your shoes on then walking around the house.

Repeating these cues over and over for your dog is an effective way to break the association between your actions and leaving the house. If these actions lose their meaning, that should help your dog perceive them as ‘normal’ and they shouldn’t feel as upset when it’s actually time for you to leave.

Provide background noise (with a human voice)

Leaving the radio or TV on while you’re out and about is a good idea, too. 

Not only does a radio or TV distract from outside noises, it can also help your dog feel less alone – thanks to the comfort of hearing human voices.

Minimise disturbances

Just as a TV or radio can muffle outside noise, closing curtains or scheduling deliveries for when you’re home could help your dog stay settled and calm while they’re alone. 

Once they’re disturbed, your dog is likely to be reminded of your absence, which can lead to further anxiety.

Exercise your dog

Making sure your dog is exercised before you leave for the day is important. If your dog is tired, they’re likely to settle in their beds instead of clawing at the door. 

As well as physical exercise, mental stimulation will help keep your dog occupied, too. So, it might be worth buying puzzle toys or creating a destruction box to keep your dog occupied for some of the day.

Build up your dog’s tolerance level

This can work well with a puppy, but can sometimes help an older dog get used to your absence, too. 

You might want to book a week off work to practise this, if you can. To build up their tolerance level, simply support your puppy or dog to get used to being alone using a crate or by moving to a different room.

Leave for one minute, then four minutes, ten minutes, half an hour, two hours, and so on. Repetition is key, just like with the going away signals!

Get a pet camera

There are several pet cameras on the market that allow owners to interact with their dogs while they’re not at home. 

Each device varies and offers different features, though there are pet cameras available that can dispense a treat for your pooch at the touch of a button. Some pet cameras even allow you to listen to your dog and speak to them!

These cameras will allow you to check in on your dog throughout the day, without disrupting too much of their routine once they’ve settled.

Make use of your friends and family

Why not check with friends and family, to see if you could gather a network of potential dog sitters who could check in on your dog while you’re out? Otherwise, you could just let your neighbours know when you’ll be at the office and that you’d appreciate it if they’d let you know whether they hear any barking.