Separation stress or anxiety is a behavioral disorder in which a dog shows signs of distress when separated from its owner or someone to whom it is deeply attached.
What are the root causes of separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety results from a puppy becoming overly attached to one of its owners. In fact, once a puppy is born, it bonds with its mother, and this primary attachment forms a soothing bond. If the puppy is raised with its mother, she will generally begin to distance herself from it around 3 months of age and gradually encourage detachment. In this way, the dog develops emotional independence and adult social behavior.
When a puppy is adopted—usually at 2–3 months of age—it quickly forms an attachment to its adoptive family and sometimes to a specific person. This reestablishes a primary attachment to the surrogate parent. Consequently, this person must actively facilitate the separation process well before the dog reaches puberty. Otherwise, hyperattachment may persist into adolescence. The dog may retain infantile behavior, develop separation anxiety, and be unable to tolerate being separated from the attachment figure.
Consequently, hyperattachment generally occurs in dogs acquired at a young age for whom the owner has not carried out the necessary detachment process.
Separation anxiety in puppies has become relatively rare, perhaps due to the widespread dissemination and implementation of prevention guidelines. However, the problem of dogs being unable to tolerate being alone is common and can affect dogs of all ages.
Here are some other causes of these behavioral problems:
- The dog has not learned to be alone: the animal, usually a young one, has never been left alone before, and problems arise when it is alone,
- The dog is a sociopath: the dog has a higher rank in the hierarchy (dominant dog) and tries to control access to its territory,
- Secondary hyperattachment due to an emotional disorder: anxiety, phobias, or depression can lead to hyperattachment to one or more people or pets in the home, whose presence provides some relief. On the other hand, a dog will show distress when separated from them.
How does separation anxiety manifest in dogs?
Once the owner leaves, the dog will destroy everything it can and will bark—or rather, howl. It may even be house-trained, urinating and defecating in the house. That’s why it’s often hard to stay calm when faced with scenes like this after a hard day’s work. These dogs are also often anxious and frequently engage in compensatory behaviors, such as licking their paws, for example.
In the presence of his master
These are what we call “clingy” dogs when their owners are around. They’re always with their owners and constantly seek a little attention. If you notice that your dog follows you everywhere—every time you get up, even when he’s napping—he may be suffering from hyper-attachment.
Outside
When out for walks, these dogs don’t stray too far from their owners and always need to make eye contact with them.
What are some ways to cope with separation anxiety?
When your dog suffers from separation anxiety, it can be heartbreaking to leave him alone. However, keep in mind that something you say or do can make the stress worse. So it’s important to handle this situation properly.
First, consult your veterinarian before taking any action to rule out any medical issues or other factors that might be contributing to your dog’s behavior. Once you’ve determined that separation stress is the cause, you can help relieve your dog’s anxiety by showing him that it’s normal for you to leave.
Here are a few tips:
Don't make a big deal out of it when you come in and go out
When you leave the house, say goodbye calmly and without making a big deal out of it. When you get home, simply say hello to your dog and wait for him to calm down before giving him more attention. Don’t show too much enthusiasm—just pet him gently. Just as when you’re leaving, don’t make it a big deal.
Leave Your Scent for Your Dog
Before you leave, give your dog an old T-shirt you've worn recently or something else that smells like you. Place the clothing on your dog's bed so he can snuggle up to it.
Leave a special treat or toy for your dog when you leave
Your dog will eventually come to associate your departure with something positive. Puzzle toys that contain treats are a great way to keep your dog entertained for hours. When you get home, take the toy away and put it away so your dog knows he can only access it when you’re not there.
Teaching Your Dog to Sit and Stay Still
Teach your dog to follow these commands when you move to another room. Use positive reinforcement to reward him. Gradually increase the distance you walk and the length of time you’re gone.
Use products with calming effects to relieve your dog's anxiety
Pheromone sprays and homeopathic remedies can help many dogs relax and cope with stressful situations.
Create a Safe Space
Confine your dog to a single room or a small area of your home to control destructive behavior. Make sure the area has windows so your dog doesn't feel isolated. Also, provide plenty of toys and activities to keep him occupied.
Keeping Your Dog Mentally and Physically Active
Let your dog burn off excess energy and meet his needs. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise, especially before leaving the house.
Do not consider getting another pet to help solve the problem
Your dog isn't afraid of being alone; he's afraid of being separated from you. Bringing home another pet won't solve his anxiety problem.
Consult a veterinarian about anti-stress and anti-anxiety medications
Although these medications are not suitable for all dogs, they can be very helpful, especially in cases of severe separation anxiety.
Contact an animal trainer or an animal behavior specialist
These professionals can show you how to train and desensitize your dog. However, remember that you can't change things too quickly or too drastically. Your dog needs to learn to accept each new step without anxiety.
Giving Your Dog CBD
Natural calming supplements, such as CBD, are also effective at reducing separation anxiety in dogs. Research shows that CBD may help manage anxiety by altering the way brain receptors respond to serotonin. Although they are derived from hemp, CBD products do not actually contain THC. THC is the psychoactive compound that produces the “high” associated with cannabis. By giving your dog CBD, you can provide them with the potential benefits of relaxation without any intoxication.
CBD compounds can interact with endocannabinoid receptors in animals to produce a calming effect and reduce anxiety. Additionally, the oil form allows you to adjust the dose based on the animal’s size.
To help our furry friends cope with separation anxiety, it’s important to be aware of the signs and know exactly what triggers your dog’s stress.
Establishing a CBD routine for your dog could be the key to helping your furry friend relax and feel good when you head back to the office.
Conclusion
Your dog’s anxious behavior is not the result of disobedience or any kind of resentment.
If your dog exhibits behaviors associated with separation anxiety, remember that he is upset and is trying to cope with stress by avoiding it. Therefore, do not scold or punish him for this behavior. Doing so would only make things worse and add more stress to your pet. Take prompt action to address his stress before it becomes unmanageable.
Remember, when you're at home, your pet is there for you. So, as you get back into your daily routine, it's up to you to make the separation easier.
