thinking of surrendering your dog now that you're not always home? Read this first!

Although this isn't directly connected to my business, I felt that I couldn't stand by silently as shelters fill up with dogs who were bought or adopted during the pandemic. As people return to workplaces and schools, many are leaving their dogs home alone all day, and the dogs are not "behaving" as expected. If this sounds like you or somebody you know, please read or forward this post on dealing with separation anxiety before another dog ends up homeless and heartbroken. Grab a coffee, it's a long read.

Separation anxiety: What is it and what can you do to help?
Does your dog bark for hours while you’re out (according to your frustrated neighbours) or try to escape from the yard? When left indoors alone, does your dog chew up your furniture or your shoes, or go to the bathroom on the rug? When you’re getting ready to leave for the day, does your dog get anxious and whiny? If any of these situations are common in your home, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety can be a real problem for dog owners. Let’s face it, we can’t be home all the time, and most of us can’t take our dogs along when we go out. If your dog can’t stand to be alone, it can be traumatic for everyone involved. Over many generations, we have selectively bred dogs that love to be around people, so it should not surprise us that these same dogs hate to be left alone. 

The causes of separation anxiety are not always clear. It is more common in dogs that have been moved from one home to another, been in a shelter, or been abandoned. Obviously, some of these dogs have good reason to be nervous about getting left behind. For other dogs, though, there may be no obvious trigger. 

There are a number of approaches to dealing with separation anxiety, and not all dogs will respond to all approaches. There may be some trial and error before you find out what works in your situation. 

What not to do
Many well-meaning dog owners try to make things easier on their dog, but end up making a bad situation worse. Here are some tactics to avoid.

Sneaking out. If your dog gets anxious watching you prepare to leave, it can be tempting to sneak out of the house to avoid the drama. This leaves your dog thinking that you have simply disappeared, without a trace and without warning. If your dog was anxious about watching you leave, they will be absolutely panicked if you’ve vanished into thin air. 

Making a scene. At the other end of the spectrum, making a big show out of saying goodbye to your dog can also ramp up their anxiety. If you’re making a big fuss, they are likely to think something important is happening. You don’t want your exit to be that important. The same goes for coming home—don’t encourage your dog’s overexcitement to see you when you arrive. Coming and going shouldn’t be a big event.

"Quick fix" solutions
I outline several ways to address the problem for long-term results below, but here are some “quick fixes” that might work for your dog in the meantime.

Doggie daycare. If your dog is friendly with other dogs, consider letting them spend the day at a doggie daycare where they will be busy and surrounded by other dogs and people all day. 

Dog walker. If daycare is not a good option for your dog, consider hiring a dog walker to give your dog some company and exercise during the day. For dogs that don’t do well on group walks, some walkers offer “let-outs” where they drop by your house and spend a bit of time with your dog in the yard. 

Distracting treats. Boredom can be a major contributor to separation anxiety. Once there’s nobody home, your dog simply doesn’t know what to do. This can lead to destructive behaviour. Giving your dog something to occupy them for a while can provide a useful distraction. Treat-dispensing toys are good for this purpose. Filling a Kong or other toy with peanut butter, cream cheese or other goodies can keep your dog busy for the first ten minutes or so of alone time. Other high-value treats like a pigskin roll or bully stick can also be used. Whatever you decide to use, give it to your dog only when you are leaving the house. Your dog will start to associate something positive (a special treat) with your absence, instead of focusing on their negative feelings.

Long-term solutions
If your lifestyle has changed now that you're not working from home, your dog's lifestyle also needs to change. This will take some time and effort from you and your family. Dogs like routine because it makes them feel safe, so try to establish your dog's new routine as soon as possible and be consistent. 

Gradual acclimatization. If your dog gets very upset when you leave, start by just leaving the room for a few seconds and staying behind a closed door. Gradually increase the time to a few minutes. Your dog needs to know that it’s okay not to have you in their sights at all times. Once your dog is comfortable with this, try going out the front door for a few seconds, then coming back in. This shows your dog that even though you leave, you always come back. Gradually increase the time you are gone until your dog gets used to the idea that you will always come home. This approach works best if the dog is never left alone until they're ready. If everyone in your family is already leaving the house daily, this method may not be feasible.

Exercise. The groundwork for a physically and mentally healthy dog has to happen while you’re home. This includes getting plenty of exercise. Giving your dog a good walk in the morning, or even a run, will use up a lot of energy that might otherwise be spent destroying the house or trying to escape from the yard. Playing interactive games with your dog while you’re at home will also help their mental state. Lying on the couch with you might appear to keep them happy, but dogs need stimulation after being alone all day. Try playing fetch or tug-of-war, hiding treats, practising tricks, or playing hide and seek.

Crate training. Some dogs feel more secure if they have a “safe place” to stay during your absence. Crate training allows your dog to feel at home in a confined area, and also prevents them from destroying anything around the house while you’re gone. Not all dogs do well in a crate. If your dog isn’t adjusting to it and may hurt themself trying to escape the crate, another strategy might be necessary. Some dogs adjust better to being left in a room with the door closed to stop them from destroying things around the house. But again, if this is making their anxiety worse you should consider other solutions, like daycare.

If things are not progressing and you are worried about your dog’s safety, or they're being very destructive,  seek professional help from a dog behaviour specialist who uses positive reinforcement techniques. 

Remember, a dog is a long-term commitment. They will repay your love and attention tenfold if you let them. Sending your dog to a shelter will break their heart, and in some cases it can be a death sentence.

And if you happen to be looking for a dog right now, please adopt one that is in need of a new home. These dogs are not "bad dogs," they are just homeless and need your help.​

Additional resources:
http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/separation-anxiety-dogs#1
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/11_7/features/Canine-Separation-Anxiety_16044-1.html http://yourdogsfriend.org/help/separation-anxiety/