Let’s talk about separation anxiety with your dog(s). This sad little disorder with your dog is not fun to go through, emotionally and physically. You might be really sad having to leave your dog home alone knowing they’ll be distressed. The ASPCA defines separation anxiety as being destructively “triggered when [the dog] becomes upset because of separation from their guardians, the people they’re attached to.”

Since it’s been well over a year that we have all started working from home for the most part, there are stats that say that even though us and our dogs are happier that we’ve spent all this time together, we also have grown more dependent on each other. Dogs with owners that have worked at home a majority of the time or all of the time of the pandemic are more likely to experience extreme separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety in dogs is much more than just going potty inside or potentially chewing up a slipper or two. This is when your dog has distress signals on top of those actions.

As we’ve said before, you know your dog the best and know when something is troubling them. So as long as you’re watching for these signs, you are in a great spot to help them curb it.

So what are the signs and how can you help your dog (and maybe even yourself!) when it comes to separation anxiety?

Signs of Separation Anxiety

Let’s get down to the dog-gone truth about separation anxiety! Every dog (and owner) is going to experience this in some capacity. But we’re looking at the cases that are constant and affecting your home and dog.

Excessively chewing on things they shouldn’t

We get that dogs will want a sampling of yummy slippers every now and then, but when it is a regular thing when you leave - even if it is just a short while - this is not healthy. This includes furniture, clothes, or anything they shouldn’t!

Barking/yelling the moment you leave until you come back

I know some puppy parents read that heading and went YUP THAT’S MY DOG! This is a huge indicator that your dog is going through separation anxiety. This usually correlates with them scratching at a window if they can see you through it as you leave.

Going potty around the house

Accidents happen, but are they going in unusual places that aren’t close to the door or not in their typical potty pad spot? This sign is showing you that they are MAD.

Escaping when you go to leave/come home

Is your pup trying to straight up get O-U-T OUT when you open the door? This is their way of saying “okay let’s leave the house since you like to leave it so much!!!”

Refusing to eat/drink when you’re gone

Take a look at your dog’s food and water dishes before you leave and then again when you get back. If they look pretty much untouched, this is another sign of separation anxiety.

How You Can Curb Separation Anxiety

With the above factors, if they are one-off situations, then hopefully they will be able to calm down eventually with some affirmation that you will always come home. However, if your dog is doing a combination of a few of these things, here are a few ways you can curb your dog’s separation anxiety.

Don’t drag out your departure

If you’re leaving to run errands or be gone for a little while, don’t drag out your goodbyes! Give them some scratches, kisses, and blow a kiss, but do not stand in the doorway and say “stop looking at me with those puppy dog eyes!! I want to stay! I hate leaving you!” - *clears throat* Umm I’ve never had that kind of meltdown before in my doorway… You standing there and being upset that you have to leave them makes them upset!

They sense in your tone, body language, and air that you give off that this is a sad/bad thing and they may take it as they are being punished or that you are in discomfort and they want to help you. Say your goodbyes inside the house - BEFORE you open the door - and shut the door behind you ASAP. It might seem harsh, but it works.

Don’t feed them treats before you leave

This is a sign that this is a trick and not a very nice one. This is essentially translated to your dog as you are bribing them to be happy while their entire family leaves them. Treats are saved for good occasions. Give them a treat when you get back if they haven’t destroyed the house. Also for when you come back, give them lots of affirmation. Not feelings of “I hated leaving you behind!!!!” but, “Look at what a good job you did! See? I will always come back.”

Don’t leave them home alone for extended hours

If you know your dog has separation anxiety, don’t leave them alone for long periods of time. This includes work, spending the night at a friend’s, or taking the whole day to yourself elsewhere. Here’s the thing, your dog does need to learn how to spend time alone, but that can come later when they can be better behaved alone.

Look into having a friend or family member checking in on them through the day if you have to be gone, look into enrolling them into doggy daycare (and get them on a set schedule!), or chop up your time by running to do one or two quick errands then come home, leave to grab lunch, come back. This latter tip reinforces the idea that no matter how many times you leave, you will always come back. Dogs are habit makers, so get them into that habit!

Separation anxiety can be soooo heckin’ heartbreaking for both our dog’s and us! Like we DON’T want to leave our dogs for any reason! I mean, I am currently on day 9 out of 10 of not having my sweet Hollywood the Havanese next to my side as I write this blog. Just one more dog day until I can squeeze my pupperoni and give her all the nuggets she demands!

But some friendly words of advice from Mr. Doggo, it gets worse before it gets better when it comes to eliminating separation anxiety. There will be hard days for the both of you, but keep on doing your 3 R’s and things will be better before you know it!

Separation Anxiety: What It Is and How You Can Curb It