Category: Blog

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Separation anxiety is a feeling of loneliness that is experienced when being separated from a parent, carer or loved one. While it is most often seen in children, it is also a very real feeling that our pets and especially dogs experience.

The inevitable truth of owning a dog is that you will have to leave them alone at times, no matter how much we don’t want to! Many dog owners must leave for work for upwards of 8 hours a day, meaning their dogs are left without social interaction and exercise for a large portion of their day.

Effects of Separation Anxiety on Your Dog’s Behaviour

Separation anxiety in dogs can cause bad behaviour and a decline in the mental health of your dog. One of the most common forms of bad behaviour that becomes apparent in dogs with separation anxiety is excessive barking. Dogs with separation anxiety often resort to barking or howling out of boredom, but other common problems that arise include escape attempts, digging in the yard or chewing. While separation anxiety can present itself in several ways, the resulting behaviour is often confused for your dog suffering from boredom.

Preventing Separation Anxiety in Dogs & Puppies

So how can you prevent separation anxiety in dogs and puppies? There are several ways in which you can help to ease the effect of separation anxiety for your dog. With some changes in your own behaviour and the help of some very clever dog products, you can provide your lonely dog with some relatively simple solutions to separation anxiety symptoms.

Separation Anxiety Dog Training

By changing your own behaviour slightly while leaving your dog alone, you can help your dog to deal with separation anxiety.

1. Stay assertive

Stay calm and collected while leaving your pup alone for the day. Dogs are very perceptive animals, so by displaying anxious behaviour yourself before leaving your dog will act accordingly.

2. Don’t make a big deal about leaving

Make sure that you show your pup the affection that it deserves long before you leave the house. By communicating to your dog that leaving the house is not a big deal, they can become more accustomed to spending time without you!

3. Socialise and exercise with your dog before leaving

By tiring your dog out a little through exercise, you can encourage your dog to spend its time alone resting. This is good behaviour to encourage, as your home time is seen as the more social time for you and your dog to enjoy.

Dog Toys for Separation Anxiety

There are also dog toys available online that can help you to reduce separation anxiety in your dog. These toys often provide stimulation and mental training for your dog, occupying them for hours. These can come in the form of chew toys, cuddle toys or slow-release treat games.

One of our favourite separation anxiety dog toys are Lickimats. By spreading soft food over the mat, dogs will spend hours slowly licking this off.  This provides your dog with a tasty treat while also stimulating them and keeping them busy. You can buy a Lickimat from our online store here.

How Jordan Dog Training Can Help with Separation Anxiety

If you’re struggling to help your dog with their separation anxiety, you can enlist the help of an expert dog trainer from Jordan Dog Training. The team offers home dog training services that can be targeted specifically to help with separation anxiety and other behavioural issues. Contact the team online today.