Treating Dog Separation Anxiety

Treating dog separation anxiety became important to me when my mini doxy, Taz, started breaking my heart into a million pieces every time I left the house. That’s my little Taz in the picture. Sometimes she’ll actually try to sit on my feet while I’m putting my shoes on. I hate to leave her, especially since she seems to have a harder time of it now that she’s getting older. Finding tips for treating dog separation anxiety has become more and more of a priority for me as Taz ages.

In this post, we’ll cover:

Signs of Dog Separation Anxiety (with free professional tutorial)
4 Common Causes of Dog Separation Anxiety
Dog Training Specifically for Separation Anxiety
How to Prevent and Reduce Dog Separation Anxiety
The Importance of Giving Your Dog Confidence
Providing Comfort for Your Dog
Crate Training for Separation Anxiety (free professional tutorial)
Pet Calming Aids

Signs of Dog Separation Anxiety

Dog separation anxiety can be diagnosed with behavior such as drooling, barking, whining, destroying items in the house, scratching at walls, doors and floors, and attempting to escape from the crate or room. Fortunately for me, Taz’s symptoms aren’t as severe as these, but do include pacing and panting and of course, the sad, breaking-mommy’s-heart face.

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4 Common Causes of Dog Separation Anxiety

1. Making a big deal out of coming and going. I’ve learned that I sometimes unknowingly encourage Taz’s separation anxiety. I make a big fuss when I leave or come home, and in doing so I think I make her think it’s a big deal. What I mean is, because Mommy’s concerned that she’s leaving/absent, then Taz is concerned. But it’s hard to just unceremoniously walk out the door, you know? I’m always practicing not making such a big deal every time I leave.

2. Changing your dog’s routine. I’ve also observed that a change in Taz’s routine makes separation anxiety worse. She’s always thrived on routine – it’s like she’s more secure if she knows what to expect next. I try hard to make her little doggie days as routine as possible.

3. Not enough exercise. Also, I know Taz does way better with anxiety in general when she has regular exercise/walks. A couple of days without walkies, and Taz is pacing the floors! If I have a day when we can’t go for a walk, I try to at least spend few minutes tossing the tennis ball around in the living room for her to chase.

4. Your dog doesn’t have a pack leader. You may have heard of dog pack leader training, you can read more about it here. If you aren’t stepping up as your dog’s pack leader, then your dog thinks they have to be pack leader. This can be extremely problematic because most dogs aren’t alpha dogs. Most dogs want to follow, not lead. So if no one is stepping up as pack leader, specifically stepping up as the one in charge, the decision maker, protector, etc., then some dogs can become very fearful trying to take on that responsibility.

Dog Training for Separation Anxiety

Ive been recommending Professional Dog Trainer and Behavioral Specialist, Doggy Dan, for several years for dog and puppy training. His training methods are kind and effective, and his training philosophy focuses on stepping up as pack leader for your dog.

I specifically recommend his dog training program called, The Dog Calming Code if your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. The program consists of 5 exercises to incorporate into your dog’s daily routine specifically to show your dog that they can depend on you as the pack leader.

The best way to achieve it is to follow the steps in The Dog Calming Code. Doggy Dan says, and I totally agree, that stepping up as pack leader for your dog is the most kind, loving thing you’ll ever do for your dog. I think this is especially true for dogs who suffer with separation anxiety.

How to Prevent and Reduce Dog Separation Anxiety

I think this starts when they’re a puppy. I think, for example, that when we bring our puppy home, and they’re in their little bed at night and start crying/whining, we automatically go and pick them up and give them comfort. Tempting, I know, but what it actually does is reward that behavior. We need to focus on teaching the puppy to be quiet and settle down for increasing periods of time.

We need to teach them patience and calmness, rewarding them when they are calm, not when they are crying/whining. And even when they’re back out of bed, or back out of their crate, we shouldn’t attempt to give them constant attention. They need to learn to entertain themselves with their toys.

The Importance of Giving Your Dog Confidence

I’ve learned that I have to stop doing so much for Taz. It’s my natural inclination to help her whenever I can, especially if I see she’s having difficulty. But doing everything for her only decreases her confidence. If she can walk from the back yard back to the house, then I should let her, not carry her. If she can find her food or water bowl and help herself, I need to let her do that, not take her to the bowl or bring food/water to her (unless she actually can’t find her food and water of course).

I need to give her the freedom to interact with guests, neighbors, and even other dogs in the neighborhood without my intervention. In other words, I need to let Taz do for herself, so that she feels CONFIDENT.

Providing Comfort for Your Dog

My dad always used to make fun of me for this, but I often leave a radio on for my dog when I leave the house. I think it achieves two things: one is that it’s a familiar sound which I hope provides a sense of security, and the other is that it helps to muffle sounds of horns beeping, cars going by, etc.

Crate Training for Separation Anxiety

Crate training, if done properly, can help a dog with separation anxiety. Read my article, Crate Training for Separation Anxiety for a free, step-by-step crate training tutorial, plus information about The Dog Calming Code, and how it’s particularly effective for separation anxiety.

Try Adaptil

I recently came across a product called Adaptil. It mimics a female dog’s pheromones, and the scent provides calmness and reassurance for dogs. It comes in a collar (Taz wears one), a spray (like to spray their beds, the car for trips, etc), and also a room diffuser. The room diffuser is meant to help with overall anxiety and especially separation anxiety. Simply plug it in a few minutes before you leave, and the scent will help keep your dog calm while you’re gone.

Try PetCalm

PetCalm is a safe, non-addictive, natural remedy containing 100% homeopathic ingredients especially selected to temporarily relieve symptoms of nervousness, helping to calm your pet and promote a balanced mood.

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Treating Dog Separation Anxiety