Dogs are social animals, and form strong attachments to other dogs and to people. The dog’s first experience with separation anxiety is when the pup is separated from its mother and littermates. New owners expect their puppy to be restless the first few nights he spends in his new home. In later life, problems arise when a dependant dog has a strong attachment to one person. The owners are kindly people who spend a lot of time with their dog; they allow it to follow them around the house, and appreciate the excited welcome the dog gives them when they return home. Unwanted behaviour often starts when the owner’s schedule changes so that the dog is left alone more frequently, or at different times, than he is used to.

Signs of separation anxiety are only seen in the owner’s absence, or when the dog is prevented from being close to the owner (for example, at night). The dog is in a high state of anxiety or conflict because he wants to be with the owner and is prevented from doing so. Dogs, like people, cannot stay in a high state of anxiety for long, and must do something to reduce the tension. While you or I might have a relaxing bath, go for a run, or have a drink, the dog can only do “doggy” things to reduce tension. Things dogs do to reduce tension include:

• Chewing, digging or licking, which can cause destruction in the  home
• Hyperactivity (pacing)
• Reduced activity levels, depression, loss of appetite
• Urination or defecation
• Diarrhea, vomiting or constipation
• Aggression when the owner leaves (mouthing, growling, nipping)

It is important to realize that the dog is not doing these things to get even with you for leaving him, out of boredom, or due to a lack of obedience. Consider instead that his dependence on you is so great that he becomes anxious when you leave. He must relieve his tension, and his methods of doing so may cause considerable damage.  Also consider that, no matter how flattering his constant attention to you may seem, it is not fair to the dog to allow him to be so stressed by your absence that he must respond with one of these unwanted behaviours.

Treatment of Separation Anxiety – What DOESN’T Work

1. Many people wonder about getting a pet for their pet, so the dog won’t be lonely while they are out. This does not work, because excessively tight bonding is between you and your dog, not between another animal and your dog. Having company has no effect on the distress your dog feels when you leave.
2. Punishment does not work. Dogs do not make the association between making a mess and being punished for it at a later time. They also cannot reason that if they don’t make a mess in the future, they won’t be punished. Even though your dog may look “guilty” when you come home to a mess, he has learned that when you are present and a mess exists, he is in trouble. If someone who had never scolded your dog went into your house, and a mess was present, the dog would not look guilty.
3. Tying the dog to chewed objects, or painting them with hot sauce, may stop him from chewing them. However, the tension he feels will be redirected elsewhere.

Treatment of Separation Anxiety – What DOES work

1. Take the dog for a fast walk on a leash at least once a day. It should be 15-30 minutes long. Even if your dog has a large yard to run in all day, the fast walking will be beneficial.
2. Obedience train for 10 minutes, twice daily. Train control and quiescence by teaching come, sit, stay and down-stay. The goal is to achieve a 20-minute diwb-stay. Train for food rewards at the beginning, but later vary food, touch and voice praise. Give the dog a reward every time he performs when you are teaching a command, but as he gets better at it, reward the behaviour intermittently. This makes the response less easily forgotten.
3. Give the dog an acceptable item to chew, only when you go out. We find that “Kong’s” are useful. Fill them with peanut butter, or cheese. This helps to train attachment to the Kong. Give the Kong to the dog about 15 minutes before you go out, and before you give the dog any cues that you are about to leave.
4. Everyone in the family should totally ignore the dog for 15-20 minutes before leaving the house (after you give the dog his bone) and for at least 20 minutes on returning home. This helps to reduce the dog’s excitement level before you leave, which reduces the tension he feels when you are gone.
5. In addition to the above training, the person the dog is most attached to should totally ignore the dog for a minimum of 3 weeks (possibly longer). This is the most important part of the treatment because it is what reduces the dog’s dependence on you. Ignoring means not allowing the dog to follow you around and not looking at, talking to or touching the dog. Just pretend that the dog doesn’t exist! Be assured that you will be able to relate to your dog in a more normal way once the dog’s dependence on you has been reduced.
6. Make a list of the things that you do before you go out for the day (and destruction occurs), and the things you do before you go out for a short time (and no destruction occurs). Then, mix up the cues.
7. Drugs may be used in association with retraining, but they do not cure the problem. In fact, the use of medication reduces your dog’s ability to learn. Using drugs in conjunction with retraining may be necessary, but it will also prolong treatment.

The above techniques have worked well in the past, but they require commitment from you if they are to be effective.

Adapted from
Dr. Don McKeown, Dr. Andrew Luescher, Mary Machum
Department of Population Medicine