Separation anxiety in dogs is often a hot topic. Many owners believe their dogs suffer from this debilitating condition because the dogs may bark and whine when they leave the house, or the dogs may chew things while the owners are gone. The truth is that separation anxiety in dogs is not as common as many people believe.

Does your Dog have Separation Anxiety?

Many dogs will bark and whine when their owners leave the house but this is not always a sign that the dogs are suffering from separation anxiety. It’s not unusual for dogs to protest when their owners leave. Dogs may be bored or lonely when they are left home alone without suffering from separation anxiety. In most cases these dogs will quickly settle down for a nap or find ways to entertain themselves as soon as the owner is gone.

Likewise, dogs can engage in destructive chewing for various reasons that have nothing to do with separation anxiety. Loneliness and boredom, again, are often reasons for dogs to chew on furniture, woodwork and an owner's personal belongings. Dogs who don’t get enough exercise will often look for ways to amuse themselves and chewing is one of the primary dog behavior problems that results.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Dogs with separation anxiety will typically display many of the following symptoms:

• Barking and whining when left alone *which continues while the owner is gone

• Destructive chewing, especially of personal things which belong to the owner

• Ignoring other people in the home when the owner is gone

• Forgetting their house training and having accidents while the owner is gone

• Following the owner from room to room when the owner is home (not wanting to allow the owner out of their sight)

These are the basic symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs. Some dogs will go to further extremes. They may exhibit diarrhea, vomiting, aggression and other dog behavior problems. Dogs can literally make themselves sick from anxiety.

Separation anxiety in dogs most often occurs in dogs that have had problematic early beginnings - they came from animal shelters, they were rescues, and so on. There is some speculation that mixed breed dogs may be more predisposed to separation anxiety than purebred dogs, but this may be due to the fact that they more often come from accidental litters and lack early socialization.

Preventing Separation Anxiety in Dogs

The best way to prevent separation anxiety in dogs is by providing puppies with good early socialization. Puppies which are taken places and exposed to many new things at a young age have a chance to build up their confidence. Breeders and owners can allow puppies to meet friendly strangers and other friendly dogs.

The more confidence a puppy develops at this young age, the less likely he will be to become overly dependent on the owner as an adult dog or to experience separation anxiety when the owner has to leave him alone. Take your puppy to places where dogs are welcome and encourage him to have a good time. You can start taking your puppy out as soon as he’s received his vaccinations.

If your puppy does encounter something which frightens him, the best thing to do is to be positive and encouraging. Show the puppy that there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s best to make light of most things that might frighten a puppy, such as a cat jumping out of the bushes or a balloon popping.

If you pet and soothe a frightened puppy you will only be reinforcing the puppy’s belief that there is really something to be scared about. Instead, try to encourage the puppy's confidence and help him investigate things that frighten him so he won’t be scared the next time.

Treatment for Separation Anxiety

If your adult dog does have separation anxiety you should take him to see a veterinarian to rule out other possible health problems. Your veterinarian may want to run a complete blood panel. Talk to your vet about separation anxiety.

The usual treatment is behavior modification therapy with the guidance of a canine behavior therapist or a dog trainer who is experienced in working with separation anxiety issues. Your vet may also need to prescribe medication for your dog so he can be calm enough to learn new, more positive behaviors.