Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Solutions

A dog really is man’s best friend. They’re our loyal companions, devoted cuddlers and a source of constant entertainment. But have you ever thought about how important we are to them, too? We’re more than just their food givers. We’re their best friend and a comfort to them whenever they need it. When we’re not around, dogs can be susceptible to developing separation anxiety.

Different dogs deal with separation anxiety differently. Some may become a little more vocal and others can be destructive and totally change their usual behaviour. It’s distressing for the pup and for us to witness it.

So, what exactly is separation anxiety? How can you know if it’s affecting your pooch? And how can dog daycare help?

Here’s everything you need to know!

So, What Is Separation Anxiety in Dogs?

Dogs can suffer from different kinds of anxiety. Moving home, redecorating, a new kid or a boisterous pup at the dog park can all cause pups to become anxious. Separation anxiety, however, only happens when you leave them. They fear being left alone, what will happen to them and if you’ll ever come back. 

Separation anxiety is one of the most common behaviour disorders affecting dogs, and it can be very difficult for the pup’s parent to manage. Rather than being sad or introverted, which is often a sign of regular anxiety, separation anxiety can result in panicked behaviour. They may completely destroy furniture, forget they’ve been potty trained and even get aggressive.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Different dogs develop different symptoms of separation anxiety. If you’re worried because your dog starts acting strangely, take them to a vet or behaviour expert for advice.

• Clingy Behaviour. Pups may be overly close to you and clingy when you get back. 
• Change in Appetite. Some pups may lose their appetite or change their regular feeding habits.
• Destructive Behaviour. This may include chewing, scratching, urinating and defecating.
• Physical Symptoms. Very distressed pups may overly lick or chew themselves, resulting in sores and open wounds. Constant shivering and shaking can also be a sign of separation anxiety. They might vomit or have diarrhoea too.
• Loud and Different Vocalisation. One of the key factors to understanding your dog’s body language is noticing when their voice, or how they use it, changes. Pups with separation anxiety may bark, howl, or whimper more than often.
• Restless Behaviour. In addition to being clingy, you might notice that your dog pants more, paces around the house, or salivates a lot.

How Can You Know If It’s Separation Anxiety? 

Apart from looking out for the above symptoms, there are a couple of other tell-tale signs that separation anxiety is the problem. 

Pups often display this unique behaviour when the pup parent is preparing to leave. Grabbing the car keys, making lunch and putting on your coat before you go out the door, can all make your pup anxious. They may start to howl, shake or destroy items close to them to get attention in a bid for you not to leave.

A tricky thing about separation anxiety is that it might not happen every time you leave your pup alone. It might only happen during the week or if you leave again after already coming back. Some dogs may associate specific locations with separation anxiety, such as kennels if they had a particularly bad experience.

Causes of Separation Anxiety

Not all of these scenarios will cause your pup to develop separation anxiety. It really depends on your dog’s unique personality, their history and your relationship.

• Changes in Family Dynamic. New pets and children can really upset existing furry family members, especially if they think you’re spending more time with the newest addition.
• Death of a Family Member. Death can be hard for dogs to deal with. Dogs are very mentally and emotionally intelligent, so not only will the pup miss the person, but they’ll also pick up on the sadness of the other family members.
• Rehoming. Adopting a dog is an amazing experience but it can bring difficulties, especially when you don’t know all of their history. Changing from the shelter to your loving home, however amazing it might be, may cause your dog to develop separation anxiety from what they’re used to. Doggy experts can help with the process.
• Going Back to the Office. This was a big one for many doggos in the years after the pandemic. They went from having their owners around them all the time to spending long periods all alone. Suppose you’ve got a new job requiring you to be out of the house. In that case, you might want to think about enrolling your pooch into dog daycare to keep them entertained and reduce the likelihood of separation anxiety developing.
• Lack of Enrichment Activities. Keeping your dog stimulated is such an important part of being a pup parent. It helps them to learn and socialise and allows them to have fun! Games, toys, plenty of exercise and socialisation with other dogs are all essential.
• Negative Reinforcement or Neglect. Severe punishments, neglect and abuse can be really traumatic for dogs. In many instances, this leads to anxiety around new scenarios and situations. If you’re adopting a dog that might have had a difficult past, work with the shelter team or a professional to manage the transition as best as possible.

Are Older Dogs More Likely to Deal with Separation Anxiety?

Older pups are more likely to deal with separation anxiety as it’s harder for them to adjust to new and changing surroundings. At The Dog Dazzlers, our purpose-built dog daycare facility is ideal for mature pups. Older dogs that come to dog daycare and might feel a little anxious about leaving their owner can benefit from designated areas where they can relax and be pampered by our experienced team.

How to Improve Separation Anxiety in Dogs

There are lots of little things you can do to help calm your pup whenever they need to spend some time alone. Starting these when they’re young can help to minimise the likelihood of them developing separation anxiety in the future.

• Tire Them Out! Make sure your pup is getting plenty of exercise before you leave. Take them on new walks and allow them to do lots of sniffing and exploring, as this can help to stimulate and tire them out. Use puzzle toys and other enrichment techniques to keep them entertained. It might be worth giving them a particularly difficult puzzle toy just before you leave – they may not even realise you’ve left!
• Positive Reinforcement. This is always the best method to teach your pooch something new. Try teaching them the command ‘settle’ and when they learn to do it in a specific location, reward them with a treat or lots of affection. You can also leave them alone for short periods and slowly increase the duration.
• Desensitise Them to Departing Cues. Where possible, try to make your leaving routine as calm as possible. Grabbing keys and putting shoes on can alert your pup to the fact you’re about to leave. Try to put your shoes on in advance so they don’t associate that with you leaving.
• Take Them to Dog Daycare. Dogs shouldn’t be left alone for more than a couple of hours. They can become bored and confused which may lead to separation anxiety. Bringing them to The Dog Dazzlers allows them to socialise with other dogs and people, get used to being in a new space and have lots of fun! Our experienced handlers are used to making anxious pups comfortable and will happily take them to quiet areas when needed.

Preventing Separation Anxiety with Dog Daycare

Bringing your pooch to dog daycare is one of the best ways to ensure they’re calm, happy and looked after while you’re busy. Our state-of-the-art facility will ensure your dog is stimulated and entertained during the day so that they’re excited – but not clingy – when reunited with you in the evening. Contact The Dog Dazzlers to enrol your pup into doggy daycare. It’s the perfect day out away from home!