Separation anxiety in dogs is a condition where a dog exhibits distress and behavior problems when separated from its owner or primary attachment figure. This anxiety often manifests through undesirable behaviors such as excessive barking, whining, urinating or defecating in the house, destructive chewing, and even attempts to escape. Understanding and treating separation anxiety can be challenging but is crucial for the well-being of both the dog and the owner.

One of the joys of the holidays is that we get to spend more time with our family, especially our pets. However once we return to our routines of work and school, our pets, especially dogs, may experience separation anxiety problems

Causes

The exact cause of separation anxiety in dogs is not fully understood, but it’s generally thought to result from a combination of genetic factors, early life experiences, and environmental cues. Dogs are social animals, and some may be more prone to separation anxiety due to their temperament or past experiences.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

Whining, barking, or howling when the owner is not present
Destructive behavior (e.g., chewing furniture, digging)
Pacing or restlessness
Accidents in the house despite being house trained
Attempts to escape, which could result in self-injury
Excessive drooling or panting
Depression or a lack of interest in food

Treatment

Treating separation anxiety usually involves a multifaceted approach that may include behavior modification, and environmental changes. Here are some common treatments:

Behavioral Training:

Counter-Conditioning: This involves changing your dog’s anxious response to a calm one. This is often done by offering treats, toys, or other positive stimuli including Pet Remedy plug-in diffuser when you leave.
Desensitization: Gradually accustoming the dog to being alone for increasing periods can help reduce anxiety. Start by leaving for just a few minutes and slowly extend the time you are gone.

If you think your dog does not usually have separation issues…

It may be that you feel your dog does not usually struggle when left home alone. It is worth remembering that most dogs do not like time away from us, and although the dog might not present with the usual signs (barking, destruction etc) it does not mean they are fully relaxed when we are absent. It is always a good idea to install a Wi-Fi camera so you can easily check in on your dog, or do a trial absence and leave a recording device on (phone, laptop, tablet etc) to see what your dog gets up to whilst you are gone. What you see may surprise you.

Even if your dog has coped well in the past, an important consideration now is that they may have you home with them for longer than usual during the holidays. They will get very used to this lovely new routine but may be faced with a ‘cliff edge’ when you return to work, school and your old routines. To limit the chances of your dog developing separation related issues when this happens consider the following:

Give your dog some activities to do during the day that don’t involve you. When you feed them leave the room, if you give them a stuffed Kong or a bone leave them settled in an area that you can leave them to it.
It is nice to have the dogs in the garden with us, but consider keeping them in sometimes whilst you do some gardening etc
Keep your dog at home when you do your shopping for essential items instead of taking them with you in the car.
Have set times of the day when you leave your dog in a room (with something to do) so they continue to be used to being without you.
A Pet Remedy plug-in diffuser releases a constant blend of essential oils, which work alongside the dogs natural relaxation pathways to help calm the nerves of anxious or stressed pets.

If you know that your dog already has separation issues…

If your dog already has separation related issues you can use your time home with them to help start to build their confidence at being away from you. It is important to always seek professional support from a suitably qualified professional if your dog is really struggling and many leading behaviourists offer distance support for this topic so you can still access help anywhere. Below are some points that may be of help.

Think about creating lots of fun activities your dog can engage with that don’t involve you. When they are getting stuck in quietly leave the room (keep door open) for a few minutes (or even just a few seconds) and come back in. If they follow you that is ok – don’t force them back in the room. Think about ramping up the activity for them – yummier food, more enjoyable activities etc and try again later.
Identify a room in the house you would like to get the dog used to being in, even whilst you are in the home with them. Make this the place the dog gets all the good stuff, and as in point 1 give them things to do in there that they can engage with. Stay in there with them but start to give ‘return cues’ and leaving them for very short periods of time – this might be saying ‘back soon’ and then leave the room gently closing the door or child gate – just for a few seconds if needs be – and then come back in. No big ‘hellos’ when you come back in! Keep it calm and matter of fact. If your dog shows clear signs of not coping (crying, barking, scratching at the door) return to the room quietly and stay with them whilst they settle. Try the exercise later. If your dog is coping with these micro absences, gradually build up the time the dog is left alone whilst you do other things around the home. The keyword here is gradually- build up absence in increments of seconds and then minutes. As you build the time consider adding more things in to help as predictors of you coming back such as turning a radio on, shutting blinds, couple of sprays of Pet Remedy if you have it, and then give your return cue ‘Back soon’. Over time the dog should identify this routine as a safe indicator that although you are leaving you will be back.
You can also desensitise the dog to some triggers that used to predict you leaving. Still get dressed for the office but do the vacuuming. Put your coat on but just to put the trash out and come straight back in. Put the expensive cologne on you use for work but wear it at home. Think about your usual leaving ritual and expose the dog to aspects of it but without the long absences.
If you can get the dog used to being in their safe place whilst you are in the house, try popping into the garden or going out the car. See how the dog responds whilst you build those small absences.
If you need to leave your dog for more than a couple of hours when you return to work, or any length of time you know the dog may struggle with, consider getting support with their dog-care. Reach out to neighbours and family members who might be prepared to help out. Think about professional services such day care centres, home visit services or dog walkers. Plan better dog-care arrangements for when you return to work.
A Pet Remedy plug-in diffuser releases a constant blend of essential oils, which work alongside the dogs natural relaxation pathways to help calm the nerves of anxious or stressed pets.

This is not an exhaustive list, or a treatment plan for dogs who suffer with Separation related issues, but some helpful points that might make a difference for some dogs with mild presentations.

Here is some further reading:
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/how-to-help-a-dog-with-separation-anxiety/