Although one breed differs vastly to the next, dogs all have one thing in common: they don’t like being left alone. Seeing that most of us were home for way longer than usual the last few months, you might notice some separation anxiety in your dog once you head back to the office. All that togetherness might make it hard for your pup to let you go. Luckily, there are ways to prepare them for your departure!
What can cause separation anxiety in your dog?
Some dogs will develop separation anxiety while others won’t, and nobody knows why this is the case. Rescue and shelter dogs that were adopted as puppies also tend to suffer the worst. But that makes total sense. Here are some other scenarios that can trigger separation anxiety in your dog:
A change in routine
If you suddenly go from being with your dog every day to leaving them alone for 6 hours a day, it can most definitely cause your dog to feel worried and lonely.
Moving
Moving to a new home, especially when your pup is still young, can trigger separation anxiety in your dog.
Loss of a family member
Dogs bond strongly with their family members, and when they lose one, it can trigger a wide range of emotional responses. Dogs are pack animals by nature, and when the dynamics of their pack changes, it causes distress.
How do I know if it is separation anxiety?
Potty incidents, barking, escape attempts and wrecked homes are tales we’ve all heard of. The truth is that separation anxiety can be mild or severe, and if it’s the latter, things can get pretty messy pretty fast.
Common symptoms and signs of separation anxiety in your dog might include:
- Pooing and urinating inside the house
- Excessive barking and howling
- Chewing, digging, and other destructive behaviour
- Escape attempts
- Pacing
- Eating their own poop
How can I help my dog?
Products like CBD seem to work wonders to help ease separation anxiety in pets. CBD might also be able to reduce learned fear or automatically fearful reactions to certain events. Along with a treatment like CBD, you can also practice a mock leaving routine, so your dog gets used to the idea and won’t freak out when you have to go out for an extended period.
If your dog doesn’t learn to calm him or herself over time, and you’ve already tried something like CBD for dogs, it might be wise to consult with a behavioural specialist.
