Dog Separation Anxiety Training | Causes, Prevent, Treatment (2024)

What is Dog Separation Anxiety?

Whether in a puppy or an adult dog, separation anxiety is when your dog exhibits extreme stress from the time you leave him alone until you return. The symptoms can vary, but he will act as if he’s terrified to be in the house on his own. Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., a zoologist and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, is known as an SA expert. In her booklet she says that although we can’t know for sure what’s in a dog’s mind, we can think of SA as the equivalent of a panic attack.Separation anxiety is one of the most common issues we see in dogs and it is one that will rarely solve itself. As pack animals by nature, when a member of the pack goes “missing” a dog feels extreme anxiety. In order to cope with this anxiety, a dog turns to often destructive or high-stress habits. Here at Exceptional Canines In Home Dog Training we have the skills, treatment programs and knowledge to help your dog gain the self-confidence to be alone and feel secure, and most of all conquer their fears.

Typical Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

• • Paces or pants constantly while you are out of sight
  • Destroys things when you’re gone
  • Destructive acts, such as chewing or digging, particularly around doors or windows.
  • Whines or barks when left alone
  • Excessive howling
  • Escapes or attempts to escape when left alone sometimes resulting in bodily harm
  • Urinates or defecates in the house while you’re away
  • Follows you from room to room when you are home
  • Excessive salivation, drooling or panting.

Typical Causes of Separation

• Anxiety in Dogs
• Left alone for very long periods of time consistently
• Taken away from the mother too soon (less than 7 weeks)
• Mother died at birth and the puppy was raised by humans
• Very abrupt schedule changes in the owner’s life
• Dog has spent a lot of time alone in his life and then becomes rescued and it gets consistent attention from owners that it is not used to
• Overheld as a puppy so it never learned independence

The American Kennel Society Says “Separation anxiety is a serious condition, and it goes beyond the occasional mournful whimper when you leave the house or the shredded sock waiting for you upon your return. It’s also not the same as boredom, and unlike a little mischief when your dog is left alone, separation anxiety is the result of legitimate stress.

Before labeling destroyed cushions or potty accidents as SA, be sure it’s not a case of inadequate training. Does your dog truly understand good manners, even when you’re not watching him? Is he 100% potty trained? One of the best ways to see what’s really going on in your absence is to audio or videotape your dog’s behavior while you’re away.”