Introduction
Separation anxiety is something that dogs experience when they become excessively distressed by being separated from the person to whom they are most attached. It can lead to a number of problems, including inappropriate urination and defecation, vocalization and episodes of destructive behavior. There are a number of ways to address separation anxiety, both medical and non-medical. The goal of treatment is to change the dog’s behavior so that it no longer responds to being left alone with such extreme signs of anxiety.
Non-medical Modification
Increasing the amount of regular daily exercise and playtime can really help a dog suffering from separation anxiety. One option for working owners is to recruit the help of a dog-sitter who can spend time with the dog and provide the necessary distractions when the owner leaves the house. This can help the dog to lose its focus on destructive behaviors and gradually become desensitized to its owner's absence. Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety might also be enrolled in an obedience-training course so that their level of confidence both in themselves and their owners is reinforced. Punishment should be avoided. It doesn’t work, and it can be harmful to the dog. However, many owners inadvertently reward separation anxiety by comforting and reassuring their dogs when they return home, which probably should be avoided as well, with homecomings kept low-key.
The amount of time spent with the dog by the owner might also be decreased to a level where the dog can become less dependent on the owner for stimulation. This can be accomplished by involving friends and neighbors in the day-to-day activities of the dog. Increased play time, more frequent walks away from home and increased personal interaction with a variety of people can help decrease the dog's obsessive dependence on the owner.
A number of other conditioning exercises have proven helpful for dogs with this disorder, including leaving a particularly tasty treat for the dog before departing, ignoring the dog for 20 or 30 minutes prior to leaving and for the same amount of time upon returning, attending to the pet only when it is calm and quiet and many, many other desensitization and counterconditioning techniques.
Finally, the dog with separation anxiety should be helped to relax in a variety of environmental settings, both with and without the owner. By desensitizing the dog to all sorts of new situations, it can learn to accept new situations when its person isn’t present.
Modification with Medication
If all else fails, certain prescription and over-the-counter anxiety-reducing drugs are available from your veterinarian and can be used concurrently with behavioral modification. The aim of treatment overall is to eventually reduce or stop drug therapy once the pet's abnormal behavior has been corrected, if that is possible or realistic.
Remember that separation anxiety in your dog is not caused by your pet being spoiled, inherently mean or disobedient. It is a real disorder that requires long-term treatment and a long-term commitment by a caring owner. If your veterinarian is not comfortable treating separation anxiety, he can refer you to a veterinary behavioral specialist who can help you and your pet. Don’t give up on your dog who misses you too much… You can work with him and your veterinarian to work through the problem.