Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Dogs that behave badly when owners go away usually do so because they are either poorly trained or simply bored. They do not suffer from separation anxiety. A dog with true separation anxiety absolutely cannot bear being away from it's owner for even a few minutes at a time. These dogs will whine and scratch at a closed bathroom door or barks incessantly at a closed door if the owner is behind that door. Any dog that is generally ok with being left alone but acts up or chews every once in a while or maybe even chews and barks when the owner is at home has more of a training or exercise issue than a case of separation anxiety.

A dog with serious separation anxiety truly panics if the owner leaves the house or a room where the dog is for even a moment. This type of dog exhibits behavior such as running around the house, jumping at windows, sometimes scratching and chewing door frames in an attempt to go after their owner. They bark, pant, hyperventilate and become so distraught and stressed they howl repeatedly and continuously until the owner returns. These dogs will often urinate and defecate in the house, destroy or tear up various things in the house and clearly are so anxiety riddled they are simply incapable of functioning or calming down by themselves.

A moderate case of separation anxiety is much less severe but still does include the whining, crying or barking, even attempting to escape in an effort to be with the owner. Other behaviors include relieving themselves in the house and chewing. Usually what the dog chews will be things the owner recently touched or things that just smell like the owner such as shoes, socks, clothing, the TV remote or even the handset for the phone. The dog will be beside himself when the owner returns and sometimes proudly carries the chewed items to the owner as a gift when they first walk in the door. These dogs are overly welcoming and cannot calm down within a short time after the owner returns.

There are several things the owner can do with mild or moderate cases of separation anxiety. One, do not make a big fuss over the dog either before leaving the house or after returning home. Calmly leave and return, starting with only a moment or two. Pet the dog while he or she is calm, no matter how excited the dogs greeting is when the owner returns. When the owner leaves for a couple of minutes and then comes right back, the dog eventually becomes accustomed to the leave-return process. The dog is now sure the owner will in fact come back. This lessens the anxiety the dog feels. Slowly increasing the length of time the owner is away helps the dog get used to longer separations and reinforces the faith in the owners return.

Exercising the dog during the day and making sure the owner is actively involved in teaching the dog new tricks and commands further reassures the dog. It also keeps the dog physically and mentally focused on the owner. Also, dogs that have plenty of exercise are more likely to happily sleep while the owner is away.

In more severe cases of separation anxiety, the dog is so totally stressed and anxious he may literally destroy your home and can injure himself. Speak with the vet and check into working with an animal behaviorist. Many prescription drugs are available to calm stress. Also, herbal remedies are readily obtainable but the owner needs to be involved in training or retraining as well.

Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, check for current specials on small dog clothes online.

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