Living with a dog who suffers from separation anxiety is not only troublesome; it can be quite heartbreaking. Watching a well-balanced, loved, cherished pet struggle with this condition can leave you feeling hopeless.
Separation anxiety occurs when a dog has a deep bond or connection with its owner, and the dog becomes consumed by stress when separated from them. It can also emerge when a dog has recently moved from a shelter to a new home. Changes in family members, such as the death of an owner, or divorce, can trigger the syndrome. Significant upheavals in the pet's daily routine can also elevate anxiety levels in dogs.
Separation anxiety is a severe condition, and it should be taken seriously. It is a terrible state of mind for a dog to live with and they desperately need your support to work through it. Depending on the severity of the anxiety, it can manifest itself in many different capacities: pacing, whining, barking, chewing inappropriate household items, gnawing door or window frames, breaking through window screens and escaping, scratching doors and walls, and continuously throwing up.
If your pet suffers from separation anxiety, it does not mean you have a bad dog. You have a dog that is stressed and confused, one who needs your assistance and reassurance. There are several support options available to help your family. You can turn to your veterinarian for advice, dog trainers can offer support, and there is information online and in print. Reach out to friends and family as they may have experienced separation anxiety with their pets.
During the current pandemic, dogs have become comfortable having their family working from home. Some of these dogs have suffered from separation anxiety, so they have been comforted by having their families home. Some dogs have never suffered from separation anxiety, but that may change as their owners and families go back to work or school fulltime. As owners slowly head back to the office, dogs who have never suffered from anxiety in the past may start to feel distressed and develop apprehension.
Silvia Jay, a dog behaviour consultant in Halifax, brilliantly sums up the current pandemic: "Being suddenly separated from their humans will be especially difficult for dogs acquired during COVID 19. Having someone home is all they have known. Micro-exits and re-entering after a few minutes should begin now".
Jay hit the nail on the head with her suggestion. Dog owners need to start to separate from their dogs now. Starting to disconnect from your dog now will save you the stress once you return to your pre-pandemic routine. Just a few minutes at a time and adding additional minutes each day is the perfect way to help your dog adjust to the schedule, whether they suffer from anxiety or not.
Please be kind to animals.
Tracy Jessiman writes the weekly column Recycled Love and is proud to be a “voice for those with no choice.” She supports various animal rescues. Reach her at [email protected].
