Reason 3: Separation Anxiety
Some dogs might need a moment to get used to your presence after you’ve been gone on vacation, but for dogs who are nervous and get easily stressed your prolonged absence could trigger their separation anxiety.
Stephanie Gibeault, CPDT, explains that sudden changes in your dog’s schedule can aggravate their separation anxiety. And if your dog has already been under stress from other major events like moving house or losing a family member then they may react badly when left alone.
Usually, dogs with separation anxiety will act clingier and will follow their owners around but this isn’t necessarily always the case and your doggy could choose to ignore you instead.
Aside from being distant when left alone, your dog might express destructive behaviors like howling, barking, digging the yard, and destructive chewing among others.
After being away from you for a weekend, or longer your dog might need some time to bond with you again, especially if you’ve only recently adopted them.
By getting back into your old routine and investing more time into training your pooch, going out for walks, and simply having a great time cuddling, you should notice your dog warming up to you again.
Step 4: Invest More Time Into Training
If you’ve been gone for a while and upon your return, you’ve realized that your dog had a difficult time coping with your absence then getting back to training can be very beneficial for the both of you.
No dog owner is perfect, sometimes we get too comfortable, or we stop noticing problematic behaviors.
For example, maybe you didn’t really mind when your dog would act more clingy than usual. Or you’ve been reinforcing their needy character traits.
As a result, leaving them alone for a prolonged time, triggered their separation anxiety, or even depression.
If this is the case then it would be a good idea to look for outside help. Professional dog trainers and dog classes can help you learn more about certain techniques like counterconditioning.
According to Debra Horwitz, DVM, “counter-conditioning means changing the pet’s emotional response, feelings or attitude toward a stimulus.” Basically, you try to make a situation that your dog views negatively into a positive one.
If your dog hates staying alone, then using treats and leaving them with durable chew toys, feeding puzzles can entertain them for longer amounts of time. My dog loves feeding mats and it’s something that can occupy his mind for hours as he tries to get all the kibbles out of the small pockets and crevices.
These mats are great as stress reliefs as they trigger the natural foraging instinct in dogs and you can check the and see if it’s something your own dog would also enjoy.
In fact, they might start looking forward to the new and exciting things they can get up to while you’re away.
Crate training can also help your dog have a safe space where they can go when they feel sad or stressed.
I’m sure most dog parents are on top of their dog’s training, but if they still don’t seem to listen to you then perhaps you need to take a step back and revisit all the basic commands you have been teaching them.
I don’t necessarily mean commands like rolling over or performing tricks. It’s more about getting your dog to be responsive when you call them, that they listen to simple directions like, “no” and “yes”, “stay” and “come” among others.
You can also create a “safety cue” that you use every time you leave to let your dog know that you’ll be back. Dogs are smart creatures and are capable of understanding multiple words so take advantage of that but remember to keep it simple and consistent.
There are so many ways you can help your dog be more independent, and if you truly invest your time and effort into training then next time you come back from vacation your pooch will “ignore” you for all the right reasons.
Is my dog mad at me for leaving?
So what is causing that behavior that made you Google “is my dog mad at me” in the first place? When left to guess why their dog is upset and pouty, the conclusion most dog owners draw is that their pet must be mad at them for leaving the house. Maybe you come home to a dog who doesn’t want to make eye contact with you, or maybe you come home to a living room full of destroyed pillow. Either way, the cause of this “you left me and now I’m going to act super weird” behavior isn’t anger, but boredom.
Dogs need both physical and mental stimulation every single day and if they don’t get enough of either, they’ll often act out. Does your dog like that you’re leaving for work? Of course not. He would 100 percent rather have you home, playing with him and scratching his belly. But is he mad at you? No. If he’s acting like he’s mad, try making a point of exercising his body and his mind every day before work. Take him on a long morning walk or run and do some trick training before your commute.
This DOG grabs EVERYTHING in the house! (Cesar911 Shorts)
Dogs are loving and insightful animals. When you’re feeling blue, your dog will jump up on your lap and smother you with wet kisses. Your dog can sense how you are feeling, and instinctively knows that you are about to come through the front door. So, it’s not surprising that your dog also has the savvy to understand the signs that you are about to go away on a trip without him.
Your dog knows that something is up the second your luggage comes out of the closet. Dogs are able to recognize things by a combination of an object’s appearance and scent – their favorite squeaking toy, your favorite sneakers. Just as your dog has a relationship with his most loved ball, he also has one with your suitcase. However, in this case, the association is not a happy one, and the sight of that luggage will trigger certain negative behavior patterns.
One way that dogs learn is by association – connecting sights, sounds, and odors to specific outcomes. Your dog’s anxiety when he knows you are going somewhere without him is the result of associated learning. That being said, if you always go on vacation with your dog, seeing a backpack and watching you stuff clothes into it will be a source of great excitement for your good trail companion.
When all the signs indicate to your dog that you’re going on vacation without him, you can help him feel more at ease by using some training techniques. Show him your luggage and let him smell it. Then use some positive reinforcement tools so that the connection he makes is a happier one. Show him a lot of affection and give him some treats. If you have a regular dog sitter, make sure she gives your best friend some extra attention. It won’t be as good as having you there, but at least it’s something enjoyable your dog can anticipate.
Dogs and humans relate to time differently. People look at a watch or note where the sun is in the sky. However, a study found that dogs have a more limited sense of how time passes. It found that dogs definitely feel the excitement when their owners return, but the length of the absence doesn’t seem to make a great deal of difference in the level of the emotion.
So, your dog knows you’re going away, and he’s most likely not going along. He will start acting out and pull out his big guns—the pleading puppy dog eyes and the whining—hoping that his sorrowful look and sounds will convince you not to go. If you really can’t bear to leave your dog behind, with some careful planning and depending on the type of trip, you can take your dog with you. However, rest assured even if your dog misses you intensely while you’re away, be confident that the moment he hears the sound of your car in the driveway, his tail will be wagging like crazy, and you’ll be greeted by a loving friend. It will be just like you never left.
If you do take your dog with you on vacation, please make sure you have the details of emergency veterinary clinics in the area(s) you will be traveling through. If your trip takes you to or near Columbia, SC, CVETS should be on your list as one of the best emergency care centers in the country. Get the details here.