Dog has Separation Anxiety, what can I do?

Separation anxiety can be an extremely frustrating problem to deal with. Coming home to find an extremely anxious dog who has just destroyed property, or practiced self mutilation, is NOT fun.

What can be done about this problem? There are quite a few tips that can help. 

First, recognize true separation anxiety as separate from just destructive behaviors when you leave. There are a LOT of clients who tell me their dog has separation anxiety, yet when I get out to evaluate the dog, I simply learn that the dog enjoys chewing, and has learned that it is only safe to chew property when the owner is not there to correct him. This is a far cry from the truly anxious dog. Many of these poor dogs whine and cry at the door for hours, try to eat through door frames, froth/pant excessively, and are genuinely “a mess” when the owner leaves for even a minute.

Some basic tips. For one, do not make a big deal out of entering or exiting your home. Ignore the dog for a MINIMUM of 10-15 minutes before you leave, and after you get back. Making a big fuss about how much you’ll miss him, and then pouring all over him when you arrive home, simply makes the contrast between the time you’re there and the time you’re not, more stark. 

Consider a veterinary exam for the severely anxious, as well as talking to a trainer or behaviorist. There may be an underlying medical reason for the behavior. There are also medications on the market that can help during the initial stages of rehabilitation for an extremely anxious dog. (note, while I believe that some dogs do much better with the help of medication, I try not to use it as a magic wand. Only as an aid to behavior modification. This requires the help of a vet that is knowledgeable in the use of psychiatric meds for pets. If working with a trainer they may have a vet they generally work with on that.) 

Check to see that the food you’re giving him is correct for him. Nutrition can play a large role (as it does with humans) in anxious behavior. Foods high in sugar type products can contribute as well. 

Look at supplements that make a difference. I like Vetraceuticals (http://www.vetrapethealth.com ) as a general pet supplement, but also because it has B-complex in it, as well as a couple of other ingredients that may help. It is not meant to be used as an aid for separation anxiety per se, but I’ve seen a difference with my own phobic dog who is on it as well as with several customers. This is why I like it for a variety of behavioral concerns, as well as for better general health anyways. 

Make sure you are a strong leader (I will post more on how to become a strong leader for your dog in later posts) as well as to provide obedience training for the dog. 

Figure out exact “triggers” for the behavior and repeat those triggers many times without associating them with leaving. For instance, if your dog starts to react anxiously when you pick up your keys, then pick up your keys several times through the day without leaving. 

Practice some mild separation. For instance, have the dog stay in one room while you go into another. Extend the time.

Provide an exciting “away toy”. For instance, give the dog a stuffed kong toy ONLY when you leave. It gives him something to focus his frustration on, and gives him something to look forward to when you leave. 

Again, it can be a daunting task to work with this problem, and even with these tips you may still need the help of a professional, but we hope they help at least some of these poor phobic dogs out there!

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