4 Steps to Manage separation anxiety in dogs
This article provides research based advice on treating separation anxiety in dogs drawing on a number of peer reviewed publications. The following advice and recommendations will suit puppies, adopted shelter dogs, and re-adjustment for your dog following .
Firstly, it's important to understand that it's natural for a dog to be anxious when they are left alone. Dogs are pack animals that would typically move together and would not separate for extended periods of time. The idea is to change this anxiety into a state of waiting.
Firstly, it's important to understand that it's natural for a dog to be anxious when they are left alone. Dogs are pack animals that would typically move together and would not separate for extended periods of time. The idea is to change this anxiety into a state of waiting.
Signs of separation anxiety?
- Start to show signs of anxiety as you prepare to leave (picking up keys, putting on shoes etc).
- Pee, poop inside
- Destructive behavior
Behavioral training for separation anxiety?
Behavioral training is the one proven method of helping your dog become comfortable being left alone. It takes time and commitment from you to slowly help your dog adjust.
You should make a commitment to your dog before starting that they wont be left alone for longer than they can handle. The training must progress slowly and at their pace. Pushing them too quickly or a one off extended period alone can unwind all your hard work. The aim of the game is to build trust over time so that know you'll be there for them as soon as they start to become anxious.
Separation anxiety training methods are all based in well understood behavioral psychology. Research has show that two methods, when used in combination have a very high success rate to treat separation anxiety. They are:
You should make a commitment to your dog before starting that they wont be left alone for longer than they can handle. The training must progress slowly and at their pace. Pushing them too quickly or a one off extended period alone can unwind all your hard work. The aim of the game is to build trust over time so that know you'll be there for them as soon as they start to become anxious.
Separation anxiety training methods are all based in well understood behavioral psychology. Research has show that two methods, when used in combination have a very high success rate to treat separation anxiety. They are:
- Systematic desensitization: Similar to treatment of phobias in humans, this approach involves exposure to mild versions of the thing that is feared (in this case being left alone); and
- Counter conditioning: Basically, substituting the stressful situation with something enjoyable. The theory is that anxiety is incompatible with activities (such as eating) that bring positive emotion.
How to treat separation anxiety in dogs.
There are a few things you'll need to be able to train your dog effectively:
- A treat or puzzle to keep them occupied
- A live stream video camera
If your dog's behavior worsens you should reduce the length of the absence. When they are comfortable again, you can continue to increase the length of absence.
What to expect
A university study of 91 dogs with separation anxiety found that when systematic desinsitization was combined with counter conditioning, 100% of the dogs were successfully treated.
The study found that dogs would often start barking within 3:25 minutes, and would start destructive behavior (scratching, chewing etc) roughly 7 minutes after being left alone. But be aware that your dog could reach these states of anxiety much quicker (within seconds).
The study found that dogs would often start barking within 3:25 minutes, and would start destructive behavior (scratching, chewing etc) roughly 7 minutes after being left alone. But be aware that your dog could reach these states of anxiety much quicker (within seconds).
Products that can help with separation anxiety
Petcube
Anxiety advice for rescue dogs
One study investigated how successful this behavioral advice was for dogs adopted from shelters and looked for other key recommendations to support dogs that were being rehomed at the same time. The research found that the following additional advice was found to help improve the success of behavioral training:
- Exercising the dog prior to departure
- Avoiding all punishment
- Providing a food-stuffed toy during owner absence
Medications
Dogs with separation anxiety can benefit from medications such as clomipramine or fluoxetine. These medications are typically used to help lower your dog's anxiety levels as you start behavioral training. Medication alone will not resolve the anxiety and most owners aim to slowly withdraw its use over time as training progresses.