Separation anxiety

Signs of separation anxiety in dogs when alone range from the obvious to the less apparent.

• Accidents at home

• Destructive behaviour: chewing furniture, frantically scratching doors or walls

• Self-mutilation: pulling hair, scratching skin

• Drooling or panting excessively, barking for prolonged periods, howling, crying, going round in circles

Signs of separation anxiety can be evident even when you are at home: for example, your dog may follow you from room to room, ask for a lot of physical contact and attention, and be quiet and withdrawn as you prepare to leave.

The simplest approach to combating dog separation anxiety is to gradually increase the amount of time your dog spends alone. To do this, just go to another room and close the door (partially or completely).

Strategy 1: Gradually extending time alone

Help your dog relax by petting and talking reassuringly, but never explicitly say "I'm leaving." Leave the room for a short period of time. If possible, wait until your dog is quiet before returning to the room where they are. Don't make too much fuss about them when you get back; reward them with praise and maybe a treat – but only after they calms down.

This will show your dog that being left alone is not a bad thing. Make your dog's alone time as positive as possible! Leave him in a place where they feels comfortable, with a favourite toy or a treat that lasts a long time.

Gradually increase the time you spend apart from your dog. It is better to do this training once a day, rather than several times a day, to minimise stress.

Good to know: This process can take a few weeks to take effect. Patience and persistence are key!

Strategy 2: Encourage your dog's independence

If your dog becomes anxious when you get ready to leave the house (picking up your keys or putting on a sweater, for example), you need to encourage him to be more independent. Here are some tips:

• Don't let your dog follow you constantly;

• Demonstrate that you are focused on other tasks and do not react when your dog brings toys or tries to get your attention.

• If your dog naturally starts to spend time alone, reward this behaviour with a treat* and some praise.

*Treats are not appropriate for all dogs. Some of the more intelligent breeds, particularly working dogs, may deliberately misbehave to get a treat. In such cases, speaking in a loving voice should be the only reward.

Try this: The moment of departure and return should not be overly celebrated. While it's tempting to shower your dog with praise, hugs, and kisses when you get back, this will detract from the progress you've already made in making your dog more independent.

strategy 3: Don't prolong goodbyes

Treating your departure naturally is a great way to make your dog understand that they have no reason to suffer. Also try to come home calmer, without a fuss. In this way, your arrivals and departures are not transformed into moments of tension;

Spreading dog treats around the house is also a great way to distract your puppy during your time away from home. You can put it under the rug, in corners of the wall, on top of the sofa, in short, like a treasure hunt! And there's even more: there are specific snacks for pets' oral hygiene, which prevents the formation of tartar, so, in addition to playing, cleaning teeth is guaranteed!

Strategy 4: Use a crate or kennel

Crate or kennel training your dog can also be helpful in preventing separation anxiety. Teaching your dog that the crate or kennel are safe places he can retreat to when they are alone can help keep him calm and stop him from wrecking the house!

The essence of this training is to make the crate or kennel a totally positive experience. Your dog must learn to see the crate or kennel as his little refuge. Put in toys they like and a cozy blanket. You can even put an old piece of clothing in the crate or kennel so your dog has a comforting scent nearby.

Leave the crate or kennel door open the first few times so your dog doesn't get anxious and learns to associate the crate with positive feelings. And, of course, there's nothing most dogs find more positive than food, so give your dog a treat whenever they are quiet in their crate or kennel. You can even give your dog dinner inside the crate.

Gradually increase the time with the door closed (using treats as positive reinforcement) until your dog is happy to spend time there.

Encourage your dog to use the crate when you're home too; they shouldn't just be associated with the time they spend alone. When your dog is home alone, leave the crate door open so they can come and go as he pleases.

Tips for success: Before leaving the house, make sure your dog is well exercised, has already been walked and has something to eat.

Strategy 5: Sound Desensitisation 

 by playing sounds such as fireworks, or thunder on your phone, and little by little increasing volume over time, can help desensitise older dogs and prevent future anxiety in puppies. Building a secure den or covering a crate with a comfortable dog blanket can help with noise and separation anxiety by providing them with a warm safe enclosed space. If your puppy or dog is upset when left, start with short periods of separation, rewarding and reassuring when you return, gradually increase how long you leave them as they become more confident 

Remember, a dog who makes a lot of noise when you leave the house isn't being mean or trying to manipulate you; they are really upset. Any form of punishment will only reinforce the problem. If, upon returning home, you realize that your dog has had an accident or damaged something, do not punish him: this will aggravate his anxiety.

You will need a lot of patience to deal with separation anxiety. However, if you don't see any noticeable improvement within a few months, you may need to seek help from an animal behaviourist. These specialists can assess your dog's personality, breed characteristics and lifestyle and can offer additional help and advice.