DOG 17
LEAVING YOUR DOG ALONE AT HOME
We ask a lot from our dogs when we expect them to fit into our hectic modern lives. Happily most dogs adapt to our lifestyle with seeming ease, but there are a few dogs out there for whom the modern way of life can get a bit too stressful at times. Some of
these dogs turn to destruction as a way of releasing their feelings.
What is separation anxiety?
As its name suggests, this disorder is caused by a dog’s distress at being parted from its
owner. It seems to be more common in some breeds than others and may partly be the result
of poor socialisation in puppyhood (see our leaflet Socialising and training your dog).
Why do dogs get separation anxiety?
Dogs like to be part of a pack. It is not natural for them to be left alone while the rest of the
pack does other things without them.
What triggers separation anxiety?
The problem can start after a period of separation where the dog has been in kennels and
then returns to the house. It is also common when an owner returns to work after a long
period at home, for example after maternity leave or the school summer holidays. The poor
dog has been used to plenty of attention and company and all of a sudden it is alone in a
quiet, empty house. This is usually a problem of young adult dogs or dogs as they reach
middle and old age.
What are the signs of separation anxiety?
Most dogs become agitated when they sense that their owner is about to leave. They often
follow their owner from room to room and show excessive attachment. Once the owner has
left the trail of destruction begins... wetting and messing in the house is not uncommon,
alongside barking and the destruction of household possessions. Some dogs vomit or have
diarrhoea when left alone and others may harm themselves. When their owner returns many
dogs are submissive and cringe amid the debris – often because they have previously been
punished by a furious owner coming home to the mess.
How can I help my dog?
There is help at hand but you must be prepared to put a lot of time and effort into helping
your dog overcome its fears. Never punish your dog if you come home to a mess – this will
only make the problem worse. Your dog is destructive because it is so anxious about being
left alone. If you punish your dog, it learns to associate the combination of you and the
mess with punishment. When you are gone it is left in the house alone and becomes
destructive. Then it is alone with the mess and becomes more anxious because when you
appear it thinks it is going to be punished.
Treatment is aimed at gradually getting your dog used to longer and longer periods alone.
Your vet will be able to give you advice about managing the problem and, in particularly
tricky cases, may recommend that you and your dog visit a specialist in dog behavioural
problems. With personal advice and some effort most dogs improve over about four weeks
and will be much better after a few months.
Are there any drugs that will stop my dog being anxious?
There are drugs which your vet can prescribe to help your dog overcome its anxiety.
Unfortunately these drugs are not a miracle cure but can make treatment with behavioural
management work more quickly.
What else could I do?
Remember that the problem only arises when your dog is left alone. If you can avoid leaving
it for long periods while you are in the early stages of treatment, life will be much easier for
everyone. If you have to go away think about getting a house sitter to look after your dog
rather than putting it in kennels. If you can, try to arrange to take your dog to work with you
for a while. These things will help to reduce stress levels for both you and your dog!
