Separation anxiety happens when a pet is left alone too often, or when they get separated from their owner, be it through death, a divorce, or abandonment. I am writing this blog to help you and "me" find ways to help our poor babies with this condition so they can overcome this horrendous overwhelming angst.

Both cats and dogs get separation anxiety, but in this blog I'm going to focus on Dogs, because although the they show many of the same signs as dogs, addressing the problem is different.

Chester's Story About Separation Anxiety

Chester (pictured above), has horrible separation anxiety. My brother Jim adopted him from the Humane Society when he was about 1-2, we're not quit sure, and knew nothing about his past. Jim was disabled, so he didn't work and held him constantly and took him everywhere he went.

About 5 years later Jim passed away, so my husband and I adopted him. Chester followed my husband everywhere he went, and since we both were retired, (I am semi retired with a home business) he was around us day and night. A year and a half later my husband passed, that's when I noticed that poor lil guy couldn't be alone for a second.

I couldn't always take him with me when I had to go somewhere, and since he wasn't housebroken I couldn't leave him in the house alone. So, I put him in the sun room where there was a doggy door, but that didn't work at all. He howled loud like a wolf, scratched the door, and ran in and out constantly from distress and nervousness. He had a large fenced in yard he could play in, without having to worry of him getting out. But he could care less about that.

I never was gone more than an hour or two, and usually only once or twice a week. When I got home I immediately let him come back in the house, and oh what a mess he made. The lamp, cushions on the chairs were strewn about, the air purifyer was toppled over, a broken centerpiece, and mud everywhere, especially if it rained. (We had a garden outide of the doggie door that I dug up and hadn't had a chance to put white rock in it yet.)

So, before I left I had to take everything out of there so I wouldn't have a big mess to clean up when I got home. What to do, what to do? Then I decided to put him in the back sitting room, where there wasn't as much to destroy. The first time I put him in there, to my relief, when I arrived home, everything was as good as gold. However, the next time, there was pee (excuse my expression) everywhere.

Thus, here I am working on it as we journey through this blog.

Behaviors Of Dogs With Seperation Anxiety

A dog who has separation anxiety shows a lot of stress when they are alone.

They may:

• Howl, bark, or whine to excess
• Have indoor “accidents” even though they are housebroken
• Chew things up, dig holes, scratch at windows and doors
• Drool, pant, or salivate way more than usual
• Pace, often in an obsessive pattern
•Try to escape

Should I Crate Him When I'm Gone?

First of all, you don't want to confine your dog to a closet or bathroom, that could make things worse. You wouldn't want to be put in there either, would you? Choose a room that's easy to clean, such as a kitchen. I can't put Chester in the kitchen even though my husband put a secured gate up so he couldn't get out, because Peaches, my lil Shih Tzu, showed him how to escape. They both were wagging their tails at the front door when I walked in the door.

Back to the kitchen. I'm not a crate fan, but you can put a pet crate in your kitchen with the door open with a soft bed. Or put a dog bed on the floor so they have a comfortable place to lay down, and provide them with interactive toys.

Things To Do Before You Leave The House

• Put some music on or the TV. I never leave the house without the TV on. My pets can hear the voices of others which helps them to relax.

• Don't let them know that you're sad, worried or afraid to leave them. Don't communicate that to your dog.

• Never punish your dog for their separation anxiety behavior. That will increase their stess and anxiety.

• Use positive training techniques to tire out your dog and neutralize anxiety triggers.

• Give them a treat. That will take their mind off of it while you're walking out the door. It will help their separation anxiety.

• Leave some of your recently worn clothes out that smell like you.

• Make your comings and goings low-key without big greetings or excited farewells. Don't draw attention to your leaving and coming home. Just quietly enter and exit the house with out muss or fuss. Greeting your dog when you get home teaches them that leaving is overly significant and increases separation anxiety.

• Exercise your dog. A tired, happy dog will be less stressed when you leave.

For Dogs Who Are Traumatized Every Time You leave

If your pup is traumatized whenever you leave…

If your dog is extremely anxious you may need to intervene to help them calm down. To keep them safe and mentally healthy, you’ll need to gradually get them used to your absence. Practice exercises to de-stress them around your leaving. Put on your shoes or pick up your keys. Do those things, but then don’t leave. Do this over and over many times a day.

As they become less receptive to these actions, increase the amount of time you’re gone from very short exits to longer periods of time. You will know when they're ready to be left alone for longer duration's. Don’t rush things. Gradually build up the time until you can leave the house for a few minutes. Then stay away for longer and longer periods.

Should I Give My Dog A Drug When I Leave?

Separation anxiety is a reason people relinquish dogs to an animal shelter. Dog owners who have exhausted various approaches should speak with a veterinarian about over-the-counter natural calming supplements.

Conclusion:

The truth is, you shouldn't leave your dog alone if they suffer from separation anxiety. Unfortunately, some of us have to. If you work, make sure someone stays with them while you're gone or consider signing your pup up for dog daycare. Seek professional advise if need be.

Don't let them suffer separation anxiety. Anxiety is a horrible, frightful feeling and you don't want to lay that on your sweet, precious pooch.

I pray that this has helped you in your journey to ease the pain of loss, loneliness and abandonment that your pup has suffered for so long.