FOR dog owners, it’s hard to imagine life without man's best friend.
To dogs, we humans are the centre of their world and when we leave for work or school, the weekly shop or a holiday, the feeling of being apart can cause our pets distress.
This highest level of this upset is known as ‘separation anxiety’.
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Triggers of separation anxiety
Dogs are very social animals that naturally live in family groups.
They view their owners as their leader so being alone can feel very unsettling.
When you first get a dog, the instant bond and feeling of protection can be difficult to detach from.
However, it is not always dogs that are new to the family that experience separation anxiety.
The following situations can also trigger the condition:
• An abrupt change in your schedule which sees you leave the house for the majority of time, eg. going to school or work
• Uprooting the family to a new home - unfamiliar surroundings can take time to get used to
• The sudden absence of a resident family member
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Spotting the signs
For a highly dependent dog, the first fifteen minutes after you leave are the hardest.
Physiological signs of fear include:
• Quickened heart rate
• Heavier panting
• Increased saliva
• A need to go to the toilet
How do they act?
• Persistent howling, whining, barking
• Causing destruction - from jumping on window sills to digging, scratching at doors and destroying household objects or self-injury
• Escaping
• Pacing up and down or turning in a circle
• Urinating or defecating
Why do dogs feel unsettled when left alone?
• Little to no experience of being left alone
• Feel at risk and vulnerable
• Boredom - especially for young, energetic puppies
• If you own a rescue dog settling in can take longer
Find a ‘safe space’ for your dog to relax
Decide on a cosy space where you feel comfortable leaving your dog and add the following creature comforts:
• Ambient noise
• Chew toys
• An item of clothing that you’ve worn recently as your scent will reassure them
• Add blankets and low heating if it’s chilly, or a fan in the summer if it’s hot
Training your dog in ‘time alone’
Dogs should never be left for too long but familiarising them with the feeling of being alone for short periods of time will mean they feel relaxed and comfortable when you leave in future.
Stair gates are a great solution to help dogs acclimatise to being alone because they aren’t as intimidating as shutting a door.
To introduce your pet to the habit of staying behind a stair gate and settling in their ‘safe space’, try the following tips:
• Gradually create distance by staying in the next room initially so they can still see, smell and hear you
• At random points in the day, pop a tasty treat or chew behind the stair gate to encourage your dog into that space
• Check in on your pet after a while
• If they’re distracted by you and stick by your side, sit in the space for a while. Don’t interact with them, just stay there quietly
• Gradually increase the time your dog is left behind the stair gate until you feel relaxed enough to leave their sight completely
Settling your pet, before you set off
Before you leave for a full day:
- Walk them
- Ensure they’ve gone to the toilet
- Feed them a small meal as this will help relax them and induce sleep
- Dogs will quickly pick up on familiar noises that form part of your ‘getting ready’ routine such as the jangling of keys. Desensitise them by rehearsing this routine within the training (without actually leaving)
- Don’t punish them if they aren’t playing ball when you need to leave as it’s a sign they’re simply not ready and will undo your progress
- Equally, try not to create an excitable scene when you return. Greet your pet in a friendly yet calm way and don't scold them if they have damaged anything
Include your pet
To minimise stress for your pet, find opportunities to include them by asking your boss if you can bring them into the office. If you’d like to go on holiday, there’s always the option of travelling with them.
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