Canine separation anxiety is something that we are seeing more frequently in our dog patients, like “Bella” the Cocker Spaniel from Everton Park. As dogs become a bigger part of our lives and truly become a part of the family, we are spending more time with them. Gone are the days when our dogs were solely relegated to the backyard. Now they sit by our feet as we eat our meals, lounge with us as we watch television and sleep on (or even in!) our beds.
Obviously we love our pets and want them to feel included as part of the family but some dogs can become very distressed when all of a sudden, they feel as if they are excluded from our lives. Unfortunately we can’t explain to them that we’re just going to the shops or heading out for work. It’s not only stressful and upsetting for the dogs, but also for us as owners when we see them in that state.
Typical symptoms of separation anxiety are destructive behaviour, excessive persistent vocalisation, toileting accidents and drooling (a sign of anxiety). These are some of the symptoms that “Bella” displayed which allowed Dr Rob the McDowall and Everton Park Vet to diagnose the separation anxiety. Although they tend to occur when your dog has been left alone some of these symptoms may be simply the behaviour of a bored dog.
The main thing to combat separation anxiety is to teach your dog to be comfortable in your absence. One of the easiest ways to do this is to not make a huge fuss when you leave and return to your dog. After all, you do come back every time so it doesn’t have to be a big drama! Some owners find that distracting their dog with a fun toy or a yummy treat gives them time to slip out unnoticed. That way your dog doesn’t even register your departure. In the same way, when you come home, ignore all the barking and the jumping up (we know it can be hard!!). Once your dog has settled, then you can say hello as a way to reward their calm behaviour. The more you do this, the sooner your dog will realise that your leaving isn’t a cause for concern.
Regular exercise is great for your dog, as well as you! Exercise not only gives your dog a chance to stretch their legs, it gives them a chance to sniff and see what’s going on in the neighbourhood. It’s an effective way for them to stretch their brains, in addition to getting some social interaction. A well exercised dog is much less likely to be anxious and display the behaviours seen with separation anxiety.
There are some dogs that can start to get anxious at certain points in their owner’s routine because they know this means that the family is getting ready to leave. If this is the case, one thing to try is to go about your normal routine at a different time– and not leave. It may feel funny to put your work shoes on or jingle the car keys but this will desensitise your dog to the usual cues that they associate with you getting ready to leave.
Studies show that most of the destructive behaviour caused by dogs occurs within twenty minutes of the owner leaving. By providing environmental enrichment for our dogs, we can keep their bodies and minds active while we’re away. There is a wide range of toys on the market that can help you with this. We find that toys that involve food work especially well! ‘Kongs’ are probably the best known toy of this variety and they can be stuffed with treats or even your dog’s breakfast so that they have to work at getting their food. Another possibility is a timed feeder that will provide your dog with regular snacks!
If you come home and there has been a mess due to separation anxiety, there’s nothing you can do about it. Your dog won’t be able to put two and two together and realise that you are angry about something that probably happened hours ago. Have a think about what you might have done differently that may have upset the dog and caused him/her to feel particularly anxious. Although sometimes, you might have done everything as normal and there’s still an accident. With training, sometimes it’s one step forward and two steps back. Don’t feel disheartened!
Dog should be rewarded for calm behaviour when you’re around as this will encourage them to continue this in your absence. If your dog is settling on its mat at home, that’s great. Give a treat and a pat. If your dog sits quickly and calmly when you return home, they should again be rewarded. Let them have their own safe space to relax at home. Mats or crates are perfect tools for this. Some owners will leave a piece of clothing that has their scent on it to encourage the dog to settle.
An old favourite for dealing with separation anxiety is to leave the TV or radio on for your pet. The background noise may help to soothe your dog by providing audio company.
We have had a good success rate using DAP (Dog Appeasement Pheromones) therapy. This uses a synthetic pheromone that mimics the pheromone that a mother dog gives off to her puppies. It seems to work best as a plug-in diffuser to be used inside but there are alternative versions that can be sprayed onto various items or even collars for your dog to wear 24/7. This helps to calm the dog so it is not as anxious while you are away.
In severe cases, dogs may need some form of anti-anxiety medication. This is not a quick fix option and should be used alongside the behavioural retraining techniques your vet will provide for you.
This article is only the starting point for helping your dog with their separation anxiety, for further help, please get in touch with the Everton Park Vet. Don’t expect changes overnight with your dog, it’s often a long road to treating this condition. In addition, please be aware that any of the symptoms described can also be indicators of other unrelated medical issues your dog may have. If you are concerned about any behaviours your dog is exhibiting, please call us for a chat.