Separation Anxiety Syndrome in Dogs
Separation Anxiety Syndrome is a behavioral disorder that affects many dogs when they are left home alone or away from their owners. Around 40% of dogs suffer from separation anxiety due to various reasons. Some of them suffer from this disorder as a result of premature weaning, while others have developed it after experiencing a traumatic situation alone, among many other causes. It is very common after returning from a vacation in which you have been with your dog together every day, so often disorders appear when returning to the routine or in the autumn months.
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Anxiety is distinguished by a series of strange or abnormal behaviors in the dog that we can easily glimpse. However, sometimes they can be confused with the symptoms of other problems. Therefore, to get to know them better and learn to identify them without error, we will separate them into two groups: the symptoms that the dog shows during the separation and the associated signs that he presents before or after.
During separation, the dog with this type of anxiety can show productive symptoms or deficit symptoms such as:
- Destructive behavior. When the dog is left alone at home, it can destroy objects, furniture and even spread the garbage.
- Being loud. Excessive barking, whining and, depending on the dog's breed, maybe even howling when alone.
- Urinate and/or defecate inside the house. Especially near the exit door, although it can also be done throughout the home. In well-trained dogs, used to doing their business on the street, this unusual behavior can be the key that tells us that something is wrong.
- Vomiting or diarrhea. In severe cases of anxiety, it is possible to see these symptoms, although they are not usually very frequent.
- Excessive licking or biting. They can even cause self-injuries with excessive licking or biting in certain areas.
- Excessive salivation.
- Stop eating.
- Do not drink anything.
- Ignore toys. Even food dispensers.
Other associated symptoms that can occur before or after departures:
- Anticipatory anxiety. The dog identifies the steps prior to departure and before the separation occurs it is nervous, cries, moans or barks, follows the human everywhere and tries to get its attention.
- Exaggerated reception. Even before its caregiver enters the home, the dog may already be barking, jumping, or scratching the door in greeting. Once inside, it continues to be nervous, jumps and makes various vocalizations, typical of an exaggerated greeting. Depending on the dog, it can last more or less and it is even possible that a few drops of urine escape from the same emotion.
How to Correct Separation Anxiety in Dogs
The treatment of separation anxiety in dogs involves different factors. On the one hand, it is essential to identify the cause in order to correct it, since in order to eliminate it, it is necessary to act on the root of the problem. On the other hand, it is important to work on the symptoms to reduce anxiety as much as possible and treat the underlying cause more effectively.
Thus, in general, the action protocol usually includes the following guidelines:
- Behavior modification techniques.
- Biological therapy using drugs or pheromones.
Behavior modification techniques are not always easy to execute, so especially in the most serious cases, we recommend going to a canine educator or talking to a pet expert.
These are some tips to help to correct separation anxiety in dogs:
- Ignore your dog when it is in a state of nervousness. Before leaving and after arriving don’t pay attention to your dog until it is completely calm. You should ignore it while it is excited or trying to get your attention.
- Don’t go back inside if you hear your dog start barking, crying, or howling as soon as you leave. Again, it is a reinforcement, since the dog through this behavior achieves what it wants, which is your presence. Even if it costs, ignore it and continue with your exit.
- Give your dog a good workout before you leave. A tired dog has less energy to be anxious and destructive. End exercise sessions 20 to 30 minutes before you leave, so it has time to cool down.
- Leave for small amounts of time several times a day. Carrying out small real outings during the day can work on the dog's separation anxiety, help it better manage loneliness and make it understand that its owners will return. Start by leaving for a really short time, 5 minutes for example, and overtime, progressively lengthen the minutes.
- Create a stimulating environment in your absence. This could be done by leaving some lights on, music or the television. You can also give it a new toy or a fillable toy as the Kong where you can put some treats inside for them. A familiar scent can also be comforting, such as one of your used shirts.
- Use pheromones or calming herbs. Dog appeasing pheromones (DAP) or different calming herbs such as passiflora, chamomile or hypericum perforatum can help appease your dog.
What NOT to Do to Treat Separation Anxiety
- Add a new dog or pet to the home. A lot of people think that by adding another dog or pet to the house would help mitigate the dog’s separation anxiety, but this is not the case. The problem lies in an inability to manage loneliness due to the established relationship with the owner, so the fact of introducing another dog will not change anything. The dog with anxiety will continue to develop stress when the separation occurs, regardless of whether it has the company of another dog or not.
- Punish your dog. Dogs are not capable of associating punishments or rewards with the action performed once it has already happened. So if you find any damage or something inappropriate when you get home and scold it, the dog will not understand why it is being punished. The only thing you will achieve is to confuse it.
- Crate or lock your dog in a small area. Not only does this not treat the problem, it makes it worse.
- Not treating the cause. Basing the action protocol solely on reducing the symptoms (barking or destruction).
- Not being constant. Being patient and constant is key to correcting your dog’s behavior.
For more information, talk to one of our Pet Experts and get customized advice by submitting a request through our Mavyn website.