Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Does your dog completely lose it when you grab your keys? Maybe your couch cushions got torn to shreds when you were gone at the store. But that loving attention your pup gives you when following you around begging to be held, there are all signs of separation anxiety and shouldn’t be taken lightly..

Seriously, separation anxiety is no joke, some dogs go through painful distress and develop serious behavior problems when left alone or even simply when losing sight of their owner. Let’s be real, it’s practically impossible for us to always be home with our dogs, so developing effective strategies and habits to deal with separation anxiety is an absolute must.
These are some things you might see when a dog is experiencing separation anxiety... Digging and scratching at doors or windows attempting to reunite with their owners Destructive chewing Howling, barking and whining Urination and defecation (even with otherwise house-trained dogs) The first thing you need to do if you see a young puppy experience these symptoms is begin desensitizing the event of leaving. Try not to give your dog any attention 15 minutes before leaving or 15 mins after arriving home. This teaches them to not associate so much excitement or worry with the act of you leaving or entering the house. Also work on trying to desensitize triggers such as grabbing your keys or purse, verbally telling your dog goodbye, or turning off the lights. Try doing these things slowly and secretly, one after another, with short breaks in between to try to make it not such an event when you need to leave.

Also, background noise and music therapy has been proven to calm dogs. One of the first features I added to this site was the Background Noise Generator, after noticing how helpful some of the Youtube videos were for my dog who was suffering greatly during thunderstorms. I wanted to create a tool where I could mix together music and ambient noises at different levels to produce the perfect audio mix that worked best for my dog, without annoying ads or interruptions.

Another thing you could try is some form of calming treat or medicine. These range from CBD treats or melatonin or chamomile treats. All the way to more powerful medications such as Acepromazine or Trazodone. Please consult with your vet before giving your dog any medication. Giving your dog one of these before leaving could reduce anxiety levels.

Again, make sure your pet gets lots of exercise every day. A tired, happy dog will be less stressed when you leave. It's also key that you challenge your pet's mind. Play training games and fetch. Use interactive puzzles. Work his mind as well as his bo