Separation can be tough on dogs

Does your dog miss you when you’re gone? Do you find that when you leave he can’t stand it? Does he understand the passing of time and know how long you’re away?

If your dog is well behaved when you’re home and only turns into a terror when he can’t be with you, then he is probably suffering from some form of separation anxiety. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of the canine population experiences some type of this problem.

Dogs are considered to be pack animals, so they prefer to be part of a group, and have a “pack leader” to follow and look up to. The dog’s owner becomes the “pack leader” in the eyes of the dog, and when the leader isn’t there to follow, the dog feels abandoned. This abandonment leads to anxiety and frustration that your dog has to deal with in the only way he knows how–what we call bad behavior.

In severe cases, anxious dogs will act out even when their owner is simply in another room with the door closed. Common ways of acting out include destructive behavior, excessive barking, house soiling, attempts to escape, loss of appetite, inactivity, seeming sadness or depression, and psychosomatic disorders such as diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive coat licking. Also, a dog suffering from separation anxiety will often closely shadow you when you’re together.  

Some dogs simply do not ever gain enough confidence in themselves to be on their own. For some, it’s because they were left alone for too long when they were puppies. Others have had the hard luck of being abused or neglected. There are some poor pups that are pushed from home to home until they finally end up in an animal shelter. Needless to say, they are probably afraid of being left again.

There are many different ways that you can help your dog deal with his fear. The first thing is to teach him that you can be trusted to come back. When you return from being gone, avoid a big fuss and simply go about your business. The expectation of a big to-do when you come home only increases his anxiety.

Another strategy to help you deal with the problem of separation anxiety is to take your dog out for a good walk before you leave the house. Not only will you spend some quality time together, it will also help wear him out, making it more likely that he will spend his time away from you sleeping. Another benefit to the long walk is that once he understands the pattern, he will have something to look forward to and, hopefully, associate your leaving with something good. And the exercise will be great for both of you.

With enough time and patience, you can teach your dog that you love him just as much as he loves you. Eventually, he will realize that you won’t leave him.

For more information about removing separation anxiety, read a related article here.

Tags: abandoned dogs, Dog Behavior, pack animals, separation anxiety