Dog Training•5 December 2020

Does your dog have separation anxiety?

Does your dog bark, whine or scratch at the door when you leave? Do you come home to destruction or has your dog even toileted inside? If so your dog may be showing separation-related behaviours.

'Separation-related behaviour' is the label used to describe behaviours that occur when dogs are left by their owners. These behaviours can be related to fear/distress, frustration, noise sensitivity or lack of stimulation, so the first step is to identify the motivation behind the behaviour.

Distressed dogs can show signs such as:

• Drooling
• Panting
• Pacing
• Lack of appetite
• Escape behaviours (scratching doors, destroying crates)
• Depression, lethargy
• Destruction
• Vocalisation (barking, howling, whining)
• Toileting inside
• Self trauma (licking or chewing themselves)

Dogs experiencing this can do considerable damage to themselves and your home.

To figure out if your dog has separation distress, we might ask:

Will your dog follow you around when you are home?
Will they eat without your presence?
Is your dog 'needy' and constantly asking for attention?
What does your dog do when you are getting ready to leave the house?
How do they react when you return home?

As every dog is different, they may show anxiety only when you leave at unexpected times, or certain times of the day. They may show it only when a certain person leaves, or when left completely alone. Some dogs only show anxiety when confined, others do better when crated. Videoing your departures and when your dog is alone can be very helpful!

Separation Anxiety FAQs

Q: Will crating help my dog with separation-related behaviours?

A: In some cases, if introduced slowly and the crate is seen as a safe, positive place for them. In others, crating can exacerbate the issue, causing panic related to confinement.

Q: Will getting another dog help our dog with separation related behaviours?

A: In some cases a second dog may help alleviate the symptoms of separation distress, however this does not directly treat it. A second dog may have no effect, and may create other issues within the home.

Q: Will giving my dogs food toys help with separation related behaviours?

A: Not if they are experiencing distress. If they are experiencing boredom, increasing exercise and giving them enrichment toys can help keep their minds busy during the time you are gone!

Q: Can medication help my dog?

A: Medication can be beneficial in distress-related cases, however is unlikely to resolve the issues without a behaviour modification program. As a Veterinary Behaviourist, we can discuss this as an option.

Q: What other things might help my dog then?

A: Some supplementary tools, such as Adaptil pheromone (collar, spray or diffuser) and thundershirts may be helpful to your dog.

Q: I've told my dog off for destroying his bed, but he doesn't stop destroying things when I'm gone. How do I stop him?

A: If your dog is experiencing separation-related issues, punishing your dog for his destruction when you get home could increase his overall distress levels and make things worse. We need to ensure your dog feels safe and comfortable when you aren't around — then unwanted behaviours decrease rapidly.

Q: So how do we make our dogs comfortable with us leaving?

A: Once we have set up the best environment, we ensure departure-cues (picking up keys, turning on car) become less predictive of leaving. Then we start desensitising them to departures and slowly increase the time they are left alone.