It starts with a whine as you put on your shoes. Then comes the pacing. By the time you close the door, you can hear howling. Coming home to a destroyed pillow or a complaint from a neighbor is heartbreaking and stressful. Separation anxiety is essentially a panic attack your dog experiences when left alone.
Boredom vs. Anxiety
First, determine if it is true anxiety or just boredom. If your dog chews the couch while you are gone but eats their dinner happily, it might just be boredom. A bored dog needs more exercise and puzzle toys. An anxious dog, however, is in a state of 'fight or flight.' They usually won't eat treats while alone, may drool excessively, and often try to escape at entry points (scratching doors/windows).
Step 1: Desensitize the 'Departure Cues'
Dogs are pattern recognition machines. They know that 'Shoes + Keys = You Leaving.' You need to break this association. Throughout the day, pick up your keys, put them in your pocket, sit on the couch, and watch TV. Put on your shoes, walk to the door, then turn around and make a coffee. Do this until your dog stops reacting to these triggers.
Step 2: Make Departures Boring
Many owners make the mistake of having a long, emotional goodbye. Saying 'I'll miss you, be a good boy!' in a high-pitched voice only ramps up the dog's excitement and anxiety. Instead, ignore your dog for 10-15 minutes before you leave. When you walk out the door, do it silently. The goal is to make your leaving a 'non-event.'
Step 3: Start Small
You cannot go from 0 to 8 hours immediately. Start by stepping out the door for just 5 seconds. If they stay quiet, come back in (calmly). Gradually increase this to 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, and so on. This teaches the dog a vital lesson: 'When they leave, they always come back.'
When to Call a Pro
True separation anxiety is a medical condition. If your dog is injuring themselves trying to escape or is in severe distress, training alone might not be enough. Consult your veterinarian. There are anti-anxiety medications (like Fluoxetine) that can lower your dog's stress threshold enough to make training effective.
