8 Easy And Effective Ways To Relieve Separation Anxiety In Your Dog

Much like their human friends, dogs can suffer from anxiety.

In fact, studies have shown that separation anxiety occurs in 14-20% of dogs. 

Some dogs can display mild form of the disorder by pacing, whining, barking, scratching at doors or windows, and carrying their owners' items when left alone.

Others can also show moderate to severe forms of behaviour indicative of separation anxiety such as self-mutilation, inappetence, eliminating, howling, drooling, clawing at doors, screaming hysterically and panting frantically within minutes of being left alone.

Dogs suffering from separation anxiety rarely exhibit these symptoms when their owners are at home. Which means that regardless of what symptoms affected dogs exhibit, they will be present almost every time they're left alone and no matter how long they're left alone.  If those symptoms don't occur when the dogs are left alone, separation anxiety might not be responsible for the behaviour.

Although they're some myths that separation anxiety is close to impossible to treat, there are lots of evidence to prove that they're highly treatable.

 In fact, what you can expect from the inner-workings of this article are easy, effective tips on how exactly to fully relieve your dog from the suffering imposed by separation anxiety. Because whether you're a dog owner, veterinarian, trainer, or behaviourist, the well-being of your dog is kind of everything. It's the key to enjoying a human-canine bond, which is basically what we all want.

It doesn't require years of training and experience. Sure, there is a time and place when you should go all-out and seek the expertise of your veterinarian since treatment for separation anxiety is not always easy, especially for moderate to severe cases.

But it's also important to keep the simple things in mind too. Because for anyone who needs to hear this, yes, you can relieve your dog's separation anxiety by simply taking him for a walk, giving him special treat every time you leave home, committing to making your comings and goings low-key, and leaving him in room with plenty of water and fun toys to keep his mind off of his anxiety.

So for whatever form of separation anxiety your dog is suffering from, here are the 8 simple, easy and effective management tools that can help your dog accept being on his own.

1. Take Them For A Walk Before Leaving The House

When you start your day by taking your dog for a brisk walk, trust me that this is the first step towards relieving their anxiety. Simply walking your dog for at least 30 minutes in the morning is very easy, but also crucial for stimulating their physical and mental well-being.

According to American Kennel Club (AKC), a stimulated dog is less likely to pick up destructive behaviours.

Mexican-American dog trainer, Cesar Millan recommends making the walk even more rigorous by using a dog backpack with extra weight in it before rewarding your dog’s calm-submissive energy with food and water. Based on his over 25 years experience in dog training, the idea is to leave your dog in quiet, resting mode while you are away.

2. Give Them A Special Treat Each Time You Leave

If they are given something that can keep them busy, your dogs will be so preoccupied to notice when you're leaving home. But endeavour to give them this treat when you're gone, and take it away when you get home.

You can use a puzzle toy stuffed with peanut butter or a treat-stuffed toys such as Kongs when following this step.

3. Commit To Making Your Comings And Goings Low-Key

Maybe it's avoiding elaborate greetings with your dog. Maybe it's ignoring your dog for the first few minutes after you get home. Either way, no matter how hard or simple, commit to departing and arriving as quietly and calmly as possible. And also ensure that you greet your dog only after he has calmed down to avoid reinforcing the anxious behaviour.

Study has shown that dogs with mild separation anxiety fare better when alone with one minute of slow, gentle petting and soothing talk from their owner just before leaving than being ignored, while dogs with moderate to severe cases should be ignored as you walk out.

4. Confine Them In A Room Instead of Crates

We all know that the less space dogs have, the more stressed they become. So when you decide to confine your dog, be prepared to leave them in a room instead of a crate. Endeavour to keep plenty of water for hydration and dog fun toys. This is because your dog will keep their minds off of their anxiety while playing with the toys.

5. Be Exposing Your Dog To Gradually Increased Periods Of Being Alone

Dogs that are suffering from moderate to severe forms of separation anxiety are more difficult to treat. But with desensitization, they can be relieved easily.

Let's say, for example, you always go to work daily and leave your dogs because there's no one at home to stay with them. Nothing wrong with that, but try to go outside and then come back in before leaving.

Do not pause, do not stand outside. Go out and come in. Wait a minute or so and repeat. Do this as often as you wish but be mindful of your dog's responses. When your dog is repeatedly comfortable with this, go out and wait two seconds before going inside.

6. Leave Them With Your Scent Through Some Recently Worn Clothes

Dogs are known for their good sense of smell. Use it to your advantage by leaving them with recently worn clothing that smells like you. The scent on the clothes is calming to your pets and may help soothe their anxieties when you’re away. Make sure that the clothing you leave your pet with is not valuable; an old blouse will do just fine.

7. Give Them Auditory Therapy

Studies have shown that some sounds have a calming effects on dogs. Play sound like Raise the Woof which is specifically designed to keep your dog relax and calm.

8.Give Them Over-The-Counter Natural Calming Supplements

If your dog is suffering from a mild form of separation anxiety and you're unable to relieve them through these easy ways, speak with your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication. And if you're really vested in canine medicine, pick up over-the-counter natural calming supplements from any reputable pet store near you.

The good thing about anti-anxiety medication is that it speeds up treatment especially in severe cases when the dogs were left alone for periods longer than they have been trained to accept.