Clubs Offering:
When you’re raising a puppy, there can be a parade of behavioral issues that march through his—and your—life. Separation anxiety (SA) can be one of them. Understanding and recognizing SA will prepare you to do all you can to prevent the condition as well as to address it at the first signs. According to the Tufts Animal Behavior Clinic, although older dogs can develop SA, it usually affects young dogs. So, don’t dismiss this as something to worry about later, prevent puppy separation anxiety before it starts.
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 I’ll Be Home Soon, 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.
Here’s the good news: As the responsible owner of a new puppy, hopefully, you’re already laying the foundation for a well-adjusted, well-behaved dog. Puppy training, socialization, crate training, and teaching your puppy how to enjoy being alone all contribute. Therefore, many of the recommendations here are things you are already doing or have done. That said, SA does present some unique challenges.
Dogs are loyal companions and true family members. We love them, they love us, let’s go places together! However, some dogs develop an unhealthy attachment that can turn into a psychological behavioral disorder called separation anxiety. We checked in with Dr. Sharon L. Campbell, DVM, MS, DACVIM from Zoetis, about spotting separation anxiety in dogs and effectively treating this issue so you and your dog can live happily ever after!
Though CBD oil is a trending treatment for both people and animals right now, Dr. Campbell advises sticking to FDA-approved medications. There is no safety or efficacy data on using CBD oil in dogs with separation anxiety. Both Clomicalm and Reconcile are FDA-approved tablets that combat separation anxiety in dogs. If your dog also experiences noise aversion, Dr. Campbell suggests asking your veterinarian about Sileo, the first medication approved by the FDA for treatment of noise aversion in dogs. Definitely consult your vet before administering any medication and know these work best when paired with behavior training over time.
It’s important to check in with your vet if your dog exhibits any of the behavior (or combos of behaviors) listed above. If your vet’s diagnosis is separation anxiety, don’t jump ship and don’t ignore it! Dogs won’t outgrow it, but there are changes you can make in your own behavior to ease their anxiety.
You read that correctly: redecorating. Dr. Campbell mentioned some dogs will knock pillows off the couch, tip over lamps or nudge furniture to new places if left alone for too long. This is usually evidence of your pup either trying to escape or simply dealing with their anxiety. (Anyone else use reorganization as a stress reliever?)
“Remove the emotional highs and lows associated with leaving,” advises Dr. Campbell. Coming and going shouldn’t be huge events. Instead of jingling keys and saying a dramatic goodbye in the morning, pack up the night before and be as nonchalant as possible heading out. When you arrive home, wait a few minutes before greeting your pup with enthusiasm. Look at your mail. Change your clothes. Then say hello, pat your pet and give him a treat. (This is hard—we know! But establishing a sense of calm around your arrivals and departures can dramatically decrease the stress Fido feels when you aren’t around.)
Other Behavior Problems to Rule Out
Sometimes it’s difficult to determine whether a dog has separation anxiety or not. Some common behavior problems can cause similar symptoms. Before concluding that your dog has separation anxiety, it’s important to rule out the following behavior problems:
Submissive or Excitement Urination Some dogs may urinate during greetings, play, physical contact or when being reprimanded or punished. Such dogs tend to display submissive postures during interactions, such as holding the tail low, flattening the ears back against the head, crouching or rolling over and exposing the belly.
Incomplete House Training A dog who occasionally urinates in the house might not be completely house trained. His house training might have been inconsistent or it might have involved punishment that made him afraid to eliminate while his owner is watching or nearby.
Urine Marking Some dogs urinate in the house because they’re scent marking. A dog scent marks by urinating small amounts on vertical surfaces. Most male dogs and some female dogs who scent mark raise a leg to urinate.
Juvenile Destruction Many young dogs engage in destructive chewing or digging while their guardians are home as well as when they’re away. Please see our articles, Destructive Chewing, for more information about these problems.
Boredom Dogs need mental stimulation, and some dogs can be disruptive when left alone because they’re bored and looking for something to do. These dogs usually don’t appear anxious.
Excessive Barking or Howling Some dogs bark or howl in response to various triggers in their environments, like unfamiliar sights and sounds. They usually vocalize when their guardians are home as well as when they’re away. For more information about this kind of problem, please see our articles, Barking and Howling.