A dog with this disorder may follow you from room to room, become visibly upset when you get ready to leave, and greet you over-enthusiastically when you return.

Even if the behaviors are not causing significant problems for you the condition should be treated as anxiety certainly affects your dog’s quality of life of your pet. If ignored, separation anxiety can become progressively more severe, increasing your dog’s suffering.

A combination of medication and behavior modification can relieve your dog’s anxiety and allow you to stop worrying every time you leave your pet alone.

MEDICATION…..

There are several medications that can help. The goal is not to keep your dog on medication for the rest of their life. If we can alleviate the anxiety for several months we usually find that the medication can be stopped.

BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION…

Begin by establishing a safe, secure place for your dog. It may be a dog bed, sleeping mat, kennel, etc. It is important for your dog to have a place to retreat to that is comforting. This space will be important for teaching your dog to become more independent and calm when you leave. Many times, an owner’s attempt to alleviate the pet’s anxiety only reinforces the anxiety. Holding, comforting and verbal reassurance, although well intended, are usually cues that you are leaving. This only reinforces the anxiety and panic your dog is experiencing – if I need to be comforted, I am right to feel anxious.

Before leaving:

About 20 – 30 minutes before you are going to leave, distract your dog with a favorite toy or treat. Make it an item that will hold your dog’s attention, such as, a toy that holds treats. You want something that will occupy your dog in those critical first moments after you leave. When you leave, simply walk out without bringing any attention to yourself or your pet.

When returning:

Ignore your pet until the dog is calm and relaxed, then interact on your own initiative. Even the sound of your voice or eye contact may be seen as a positive reward for your dog. Only interact when your dog is calm and relaxed thereby rewarding that behavior.

Do not reprimand or punish your dog for destructive behavior or for urinating or defecating in the house. No matter what you find when you return home, remember that your dog was not able to control those behaviors when you were away. Punishment will not help and will only increase anxiety.

At home:

Interact with your dog only at your initiative and only when your pet is calm and relaxed. Then, initiate play or cuddling so this is the reward for calm behavior.

To encourage independence, avoid constant physical contact with your dog. Have your dog lie down or sit near you but not in contact with you.

Teach your dog to be alone little by little. Have your pet settle in the safe, secure place you have created and gradually increase the time and distance separating you. Begin by moving away while still in the same room and in sight. Continue moving away but still in sight. When your dog remains calm at that distance, move into another room out of sight. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend out of sight.

Certain cues, such as getting you car keys or putting on your coat tell your dog that you are preparing to leave. Begin playing with your keys or putting on your coat as if you were getting ready to leave but don’t go anywhere. Your dog will learn that these cues do not necessarily mean you are leaving and there is no reason for the dog to panic.

FAQ…

Q: How long does it take to resolve the problem?
A: Usually good response is seen within eight weeks. Do not stop medication, however, without talking to your veterinarian. Stopping too soon invariably results in relapse.

Q: Why do I have to do behavior modification? Why can’t I just give medication?
A: Medication alone usually won’t work. If it does, the problem will return if you and your pet don’t change the way you interact.

Q: Are the medications safe?
A: The medications are very safe although no medication is completely free of side effects. These should be discussed with your veterinarian before starting treatment.