How can I treat separation anxiety?
Tire out your dog with long walks and puzzle treats
Tiring out your dog physically and mentally is the best tool you have for treating separation anxiety, says Lindsay Hamrick, a certified professional dog trainer and HSUS director of shelter outreach and engagement. Take your dog on a long walk—trying out new routes and allowing lots of sniffing—and then bring out puzzle toys, long-lasting treats (such as a stuffed, frozen Kong or a frisbee smeared with peanut butter) or other enrichment before you leave.
“Anything more interesting than the fact that you’re gone,” Goetz says. If it’s in the budget, doggy daycare “is fantastic for dogs with separation anxiety” but a dog walker, pet sitter or neighbor checking in midday can also help. (Although it might be tempting, adopting another pet isn’t necessarily a silver bullet and can make the situation more complicated, says Hamrick.)
Establish a routine and keep it relaxed
“Leave at the same time, come home at the same time. Eventually they develop a level of comfort with [the idea that] you’ve come back before, so you’re going to come back again,” says Goetz.
While Hamrick doesn’t recommend ignoring your pet, she says you should “keep your departures and your return home as chill as possible” to avoid reinforcing your pet’s anxiety with your own.
Try soothing music when you’re gone
For dogs used to noise, music (one study showed dogs prefer reggae) can help some pets’ anxiety but exacerbate others’, so play the Bob Marley for a week, and if it’s not working, try something else, says Hamrick.
Ditch the crates and create a safe space
Your dog will still engage in anxiety responses inside a crate, and they may urinate, defecate, howl or even injure themself in an attempt to escape. Instead, confine your dog to a safe room with windows, toys and objects with your scent on them, such as dirty laundry.
Talk to a veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication
In cases “where the separation anxiety is so severe that the animal is either doing damage to themselves or doing damage to their surroundings,” your veterinarian may prescribe anti-anxiety medication while you continue to try soothing techniques, says Goetz. “If you can bring their anxiety baseline down, you will have more success on the behavior modification,” adds Hamrick.
Try positive reinforcement training
Never punish your dog for separation anxiety behaviors; punishment isn't effective for treating separation anxiety and can instead increase anxiety. Separation anxiety isn’t the result of disobedience or lack of training. However, positive reinforcement training can be a tool to tire out your pup before you leave, and a certified professional dog trainer can help you neutralize anxiety triggers using positive training techniques. (Locate a professional dog trainernear you.)
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How long does it take to cure separation anxiety?
Patience, compassion and consistency are key. Treating separation anxiety can take months, and although many dogs with separation anxiety can go on to live stress-free lives, the behaviors may resurface during other times of transition. Hamrick and Goetz both emphasize that there’s no shame in recognizing that your pet needs more time, energy or resources than you can give.
“Separation anxiety isn’t just challenging for your pet. Your home or lifestyle may not be the best match for your pet or vice versa,” says Hamrick. If this is the case, chat with your local shelter or rescue to explore your rehoming options—depending on your dog, a retiree, a marathon runner or someone who works from home might be a better fit.
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