Separation anxiety in dogs is the distress some dogs feel when they are left alone without their human or other animal companion. It can be a complicated issue to diagnose and treat, but luckily there are methods to treat separation anxiety in dogs and give and your pup some relief.
Ignoring your dog when it's scared is outdated advice, according to a patient handout from the Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. "Ignoring a fearful, panicky dog deprives him of whatever comfort and psychological support you can give him.
Your dog may be isolating himself because of a mental or physical condition, the reason of which could vary. Anxieties and fears are commonly seen in dogs, and can develop due to a number of reasons, such as poor socialization or trauma.
Dogs express fear in several ways. They may shake, pace, whine, bark, cower, hide, or even exhibit signs of fear reactivity, which is often confused with aggression.
If you're trying to figure out how to make a dog more comfortable, good old physical contact is the perfect way to do it. Pet your dog, sit beside their dog bed and let them play off your calming presence. Just make sure you're also calm and positive.
But if you have a dog going through their first year of life, the most common ages where we see the signs of a fear period are between 8-11 weeks of age, and between 6-14 months of age. Both periods can be expected to last between 2-3 weeks.
Perry says, “Punishment should not be used [with a fearful dog] because it may exacerbate the fear and lead to other behavior issues. Rather, the owner should use positive reinforcement.” Reward your dog when they do something right or respond to a situation correctly, and ignore them if they react with fear.
The most common behaviors are elimination (i.e., urination and/or bowel movements), destruction and excessive vocalization (i.e., barking, crying). Pet owners may also observe excessive panting and/or pacing. Separation anxiety is the most common specific anxiety in companion dogs.
Common signs of anxiety in dogs include:
Barking or howling when owner isn't home. Panting and pacing (even when it's not hot) Shivering. Running away and/or cowering in the corner of a house.
Best Way To Catch a Scared Dog
Don't make loud noises or call out to the dog. Remain calm and use submissive body language. Avoid direct eye contact. Try Albrecht's calming and attracting technique, using a crinkly food bag (like a potato chip packet) and a soft, tempting treat.
“Some dogs will do better with more alone time than others,” he says. That said, for a general guideline, dogs should get a minimum of two hours of dedicated social time with humans or other dogs on a daily basis, which can be broken up into chunks of time over the course of the day.
While the behavior can be linked to fear, pain, or anxiety, many dogs are simply drawn to the cozy confines of secluded spaces. Sometimes dogs seek out a familiar and secure area when they are feeling overwhelmed, similar to the way people might retreat to their homes or bedrooms in times of stress.
If your dog sleeps on your bed, you've probably woken up to find their bum facing you. There are several reasons why this happens, and most of them are pretty benign. These include comfort, ventral contact, trust, protection, eye contact, wanting to be left alone, territory marking, petting, and parasites.
Unfortunately some dog trainers – including famous ones – have spread the idea that you should not comfort a fearful dog because it will reinforce the fear and make things worse. This is a myth. In fact, you are a secure base for your dog – meaning your presence can help them in a stressful situation.
Leaving Your Dog Alone Is Not The Answer
A common myth surrounding separation anxiety is that by somehow ignoring your dog, or by forcing them to be alone for long periods of time, they simply will get used to it, and the disruptive behavior will stop. This couldn't be further from the truth.
It's possible! Most fearful dogs gradually improve with time, training, and trust. But they won't likely become outgoing if they're naturally nervous or shy.
Your dog might start to pace or be unable to stay still or settle down. They might also be very easily startled and jumpy. Your dog might become suddenly very active and seek attention from you by jumping up, pawing at you, or even mouthing or mounting when they wouldn't normally.
Dogs can become stressed because they are bored, frustrated, scared or anxious. You may also be feeling a bit stressed by the coronavirus restrictions in place.
Many young dogs go through a stage of shyness during their adolescence, typically when they are four to five months old. Most of these fear-related behaviours fade as the dog matures, gains confidence, and becomes used to the triggering situation.
First, know your pet's fear triggers. If your pet fears strangers, then walk somewhere that is private or without a lot of traffic or people. If they fear other animals, avoid busy parks or dog parks. Keep your pet close to you, crossing the street if people or animals that would trigger anxiety start to approach.
Experts who have studied dogs and their sense of smell have concluded that dogs can't necessarily smell the emotion that is fear. They can, however, detect smells and see movements and body postures that may help them sense when a person is nervous, anxious, or afraid.
A fearful or tense dog will generally keep his mouth closed, and may pull his lips back at the corners (also known as a "long lip".) He may also be panting rapidly. A panting dog who suddenly closes his mouth in response to something in the environment may also be indicating increased stress.
Anxiety and fear are common emotions in dogs, but excessive anxiety or fear can lead to lethargy. A vet or dog trainer can help you discover ways to relieve anxiety and make your dog feel better.
They may prefer the person who gives them the most attention and affection. This can include petting, belly rubs, or even just sitting next to them. Dogs also respond well to touch and may form a stronger bond with the person who massages their ears or scratches their back.