As we begin to say goodbye to summer and head back to the office more, it’s important for pet owners to understand that you’re not the only one involved with this transition: your dog has gotten used to being around people and possibly has not been left alone for long periods of time. It’s during this time of transition that you may see some new and different behaviors start to occur with your dog and they may have you wondering what in the world is going on with Fido. While you shouldn’t jump to conclusions quickly, there is a possibility your dog may start to suffer (or maybe has been suffering) from separation anxiety. No one likes to be left alone, but understanding the difference between separation anxiety and boredom is a great place to start so you can help your pup get over this obstacle he may be facing. We break down what separation anxiety is, how to look for it and coping mechanisms to help you and your fur-baby get through this together.

What is separation anxiety for dogs?

Separation anxiety for dogs looks a little similar to children and adults. Just as children and adults have an extreme fear of being away from people, dogs can also show extreme stress and fear from the time an owner leaves until they come home. The main behavior seen by a dog with separation anxiety is acting as if he’s terrified to be in the house on his own. 

Do we know why separation anxiety happens?

It’s not fully understood why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety while others don’t. There could be an underlying medical condition or it could be triggered from an environmental change such as a new addition to the family, moving to a new home or the death of an owner or another pet. Change in your family’s routine or structure could also be a trigger for separation anxiety as well as an owner staying away for longer periods of time or the dog spending more time in a boarding situation. While not fully understood, separation anxiety could be triggered by the smallest of events that has a bigger impact on your dog than you think. 

Is there a difference between having separation anxiety and normal canine behaviors?

People will often mistake boredom for separation anxiety since both are usually accompanied by problem behaviors, such as destructive chewing and excessive barking. The main difference between boredom and separation anxiety is that boredom can be quickly conquered by providing more exercise and mental stimulation to keep your pup active and away from destructive behaviors. If boredom is the reason for your dog acting out, then mental stimulation and more exercise will help you to see a big change in their behavior. If these things do not show any improvement, you may want to consider the diagnosis of separation anxiety. 

Here are some questions to think about if you are wondering if your pup is experiencing separation anxiety:

1. Does your dog panic when you leave him home alone?

2. Have you ever gotten complaints from your neighbors about your dog constantly vocalizing (barking, whining or howling) when you’re gone?

3. Do you return home to find that your dog has damaged  your belongings?

4. Does your dog seem to forget all about house training when you are away?

If you answered yes to all or almost all of these questions, let’s look at some of the signs your dog could be showing you to lean more towards the separation anxiety diagnosis. 

What are the signs of separation anxiety?

Just like there is no one defining reason as to why dogs suffer from separation anxiety, there is no one defining symptom that defines your dog as exhibiting separation anxiety. There are a variety of symptoms that your dog may show that can lead to a separation anxiety diagnosis, but if your pup is only showing one or two of these signs on occasion, it may be more of a boredom, poor training or not fully potty trained route. 

If your pup is showing multiple of these signs on a regular basis, it may be time to look into the separation anxiety diagnosis:

• Anxious behaviors such as pacing, whining or trembling when you’re gone or as you prepare to leave.

• Excessive barking or howling.

• Destructive acts such as chewing or digging, particularly around doors or windows.

• Accidents in the house.

• Excessive salivation, drooling or panting.

• Desperate and prolonged attempts to escape confinement, potentially ending in serious injury.

How can I help my dog cope?

We hate to see our furry friends suffer from anything, so knowing that they may be extremely stressed that we have to leave them is never a fun feeling for any pet parent. If you believe your dog has a problem with separation anxiety, here are some ways to help your pup (hopefully) cope with being left alone.

Start Early: Before you leave the house in the morning, think about getting up a little bit early to take your dog for a walk before rushing off to work. We’re not talking just up and down the street, but a nice, long walk around the neighborhood or on a trail by your house that is easily accessible by walking to it. This can be a great daily routine for both of  you and it helps your pup release some energy to put him in a more relaxed and quiet mode before you leave. 

Don’t Make a Big Deal: Although this can be hard, try to not make a big deal when you leave or return for the day. When you don’t make a big deal about leaving and returning, it makes the statement to your dog that the time you two are apart is no big deal and it’s business as usual. But, if you’re having a hard time with this coping mechanism, try saying goodbye to your dog long before you leave. Take a moment to tell your pup how much you will miss them and show some affection, but not at the time of you actually leaving. By doing this ahead of time, it helps with the whole ‘leaving isn’t a big deal’ thing and helps you feel better that you said a more proper goodbye ahead of time. 

Gradual and Slow: Remember that plunging into something new all at once can be a lot for your pup, so start out by leaving him alone for small amounts of time to see how he does. Gradually work up to longer amounts of time where he is left alone to help him cope with everyone leaving the house for the day. 

Little Cues: Dogs are super smart and can easily pick up on our routines throughout the day with little cues that let them know what may be coming. Putting on your shoes is (usually) a huge indicator to your dog that you will be leaving. If your pup shows signs of stress or exhibits any of the symptoms that we’ve previously mentioned for separation anxiety, try putting on your shoes randomly throughout the day and not leaving the house; just put them on and walk around the house doing your normal everyday things. This is a great way to help desensitize your leaving and to show your dog that every time you put shoes on does not mean you are going to leave them. If you do this repeatedly, it can help to remove the initial negative association.

Organize Their Day: Since dogs seem to thrive on structure and predictability in their day-to-day routines, try organizing your dog’s day into two categories: interaction and non-interaction. This means that you get to choose when they have playtime, exercise, snuggle time, training time or outings and during their ‘down time,’ they can learn to relax and rest to help keep their minds from racing or worrying and give them more trust in you.

Knowing the difference between separation anxiety and boredom can be a great tool to help your pup onto the right path mentally and physically. As a pet owner, we need to remember that dogs are just as susceptible to mental health problems like humans and need to receive a little extra help and TLC to show them they can overcome their barrier. Remember to keep your furry friends in mind during this transition away from summer and into the start of school and more days at work - they may be telling you they need help in their own little ways. 

No one wants to say goodbye to summer and hello to school and more days at work, but we at Going Mutts Pet Services, LLC want you to know that we have your back during this time of transition! Leaving Fido alone when he has been used to those great summer days can be hard, so let us help you and Fido out with some daily dog walks and playtime while everyone is away. We would love to provide you with peace of mind while your pup gets some extra playtime! Contact us today to learn about our services and to set up a FREE Meet ‘n Greet to start a customization plan that fits Fido and you.

Sources:

https://malenademartini.com/dogs-develop-separation-anxiety/

https://www.thesprucepets.com/treating-separation-anxiety-in-dogs-1117889

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/separation-anxiety-dogs-puppies/

https://www.thefarmersdog.com/digest/how-to-prevent-and-manage-separation-anxiety-in-dogs/