8 Ways to Help Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Dogs are incredibly social animals and if given the choice, many would choose to spend every waking moment with us, but unfortunately, this isn’t always possible. There are times when we’ll have to leave our dogs home alone which is why it’s so important to teach them that it’s ok to be by themselves to prevent separation anxiety from developing.

In this guide, we look out how to help separation anxiety in dogs and the symptoms to look out for that show your pup is struggling with their alone time.

What is separation anxiety in dogs?

Separation anxiety in dogs occurs when a dog is extremely attached to their owner and becomes very distressed when left alone. According to research from the RSPCA, a whopping eight out of ten dogs struggle with being on their own and sadly, this condition is one of the biggest reasons why dogs are given away each year. It generally occurs because the dog has never been taught to be ok on their own or it may be the result of a traumatic situation where they were left alone in the past.

Separation anxiety in dogs’ symptoms

There are many symptoms dogs with separation anxiety may display, some of the most common being:

• Destructive behaviours such as chewing and destroying furniture
• Excess noise which may be in the form of howling and barking
• Going to the toilet in the house
• Trembling
• Whining
• Pacing
• Panting
• Vomiting
• Excessive salivation
• Self-mutilation

The above signs will usually start within 30 minutes of you leaving the house, but more often than not they’ll begin within the first few minutes.

Some of the symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs are more obvious than others, but a good way to tell if your dog is struggling when left alone is to set up a pet camera so you can spot any potential problems.

How to help separation anxiety in dogs

The best way to help a dog with separation anxiety is to teach them to be happy or at least tolerate being left alone. It’s best to start these foundations during puppyhood if possible.

Here are some of our top tips for helping a dog with separation anxiety.

1. The crate is your friend

Many dog owners think of a crate as a tiny prison, but it’s actually an extremely valuable training tool and when used correctly puppies and dogs often see it as a safe and quiet place. Teach them to associate their crate with nice things such as chew toys and food and over time they’ll learn that their crate is a happy and safe place to be. However, some dogs may panic more when placed into a crate, so it’s recommended to watch them a bit to see if they settle down.

The crate should never be seen as a permanent solution for them to be crated all day every day, but it can be an invaluable tool to keep them and your home safe whilst teaching them to be ok left alone.

2. Teach them that comings and goings = treats

Most dogs are highly food orientated so one way to help a dog with separation anxiety is to teach them that you going out and leaving them alone comes with a reward. Start by leaving them for a short period of time and offer them a high-value treat before you go. Many dogs will learn to associate you heading out with a tasty snack and may even start to look forward to you leaving.

3. Desensitise your dog to the signs of going out

The part your dog starts to panic will often be when you begin getting ready to go out, so you’ll need to teach them to not react to these signs. Pick up your keys, put on your coat and grab your bag at random points throughout the day, but don’t go out. Before you do this it’s also a good idea to offer a high value treat to help them learn positive associations.

4. Leave a well-exercised dog

Sometimes separation anxiety in dogs can be aggravated if your pup has a lot of pent-up energy, so make sure they have enough age-appropriate exercise before you go out. A tired and happy dog is far more likely to curl up and go to sleep when left alone than an excitable dog with a lot of nervous energy.

5. Start practising at home

A good, safe way to start practising your dog’s independence is to start alone training when at home. You can do this by going and sitting in another room to your dog, beginning with short periods and slowly building this up.

6. Don’t make a big deal out of leaving

This is a big tip for helping a dog with separation anxiety. When you leave them, don’t make a big fuss of it, instead just calmly leave. The same goes when you come home too, greet your dog but don’t get too excitable and try and keep the situation calm. If they get worked up at these points, they may see your comings and goings as a major event and something they should get worked up for.

If you come home to accidents or damage, never get angry at your dog as this will only make their anxiety worse.

7. Try natural remedies

Sometimes natural remedies can help to keep your dog calm during times of stress. Our the one for a good mood spray contains valerian root and chamomile to support happy and relaxed behaviours. Simply spray around the room in places where your dog spends a lot of their time such as their bed around five minutes before entering and the effects will last for up to eight hours. We also have the one for a good mood chews that are made from natural ingredients and have a tasty chicken, liver and bacon flavour.

8. Speak to your vet

Sometimes training your dog may not be enough and if their separation anxiety is severe, it’s a good idea to book a visit to your vet. Your vet may prescribe medications to treat anxiety and panic and can also refer you to a qualified behaviourist to help with your dog’s separation anxiety symptoms in the long run.

That’s our guide to separation anxiety in dogs and how to help! Looking for more advice on caring for your dog? Check out our five easy and fun indoor play ideas, next.