As normal routines resume after an extended period of working from home, one group may be particularly stressed about the change: our animal companions. Separation anxiety can be a significant problem for some pets when their guardians return to the workplace.
When a dog exhibits extreme stress from the moment you leave until you return, that can be categorized as separation anxiety. There are a variety of symptoms dogs may express, and they may include any or multiple of the following:
- Excessive vocalization or howling
- Anxious behaviors such as pacing, trembling, or whining as guardians prepare to leave the home
- Excessive drooling, panting, or salivating
- Destructive behaviors, especially around windows or doors
- Excessive attempts to escape confinement, which may result in significant injury
Sudden life changes, such as returning to the workplace, may act as a trigger for many of these disturbing behaviors.
Behavioral Techniques for Managing Separation Anxiety
We can do our best to address a dog’s underlying anxiety by teaching him to tolerate — and perhaps even eventually enjoy — being alone. Many pet guardians whose dogs suffer from separation anxiety find that crate training can be quite helpful by associating the crate with happy things like various toys, so that the dog is content to be inside. Crate training is not suitable for every dog, as some may panic, but it is worth trying with many anxious canine companions.
Graduated Departures
Practicing what animal behaviorists call graduated departures — leaving for increasing amounts of time — is another technique that is quite effective in alleviating anxiety. Start by leaving your pet for short periods of time, and gradually build up the duration once you are confident the animal tolerates the shorter intervals. Bringing out a special treat or reward that is used only for important lessons may be quite helpful here, especially if the animal becomes highly stressed even as you prepare to leave.
Desensitization to Departure Cues
Desensitizing your dog to the usual cues of leaving — such as picking up car keys or putting on a coat — and pairing those cues with a different activity, like making dinner instead of leaving, may help your dog form more positive associations and reduce excessive anxiety when you do leave for work.
Exercise and Training
- Give your canine companion plenty of daily exercise, which may help the pet settle down when you leave.
- Discourage overly clingy behavior by training your dog to sit and stay for extended periods until you can leave the room, which is also quite helpful when you finally leave the home.
- Try not to make excessive fuss over your dog when leaving or returning home, as this can contribute to overly anxious behavior.
Holistic and Natural Remedies for Separation Anxiety
While conventional sedative treatments are certainly available when dog anxiety cannot be adequately managed through training alone, there are several holistic tools that may help alleviate some of the symptoms of separation anxiety.
Homeopathic Options
- Boiron Aconitum Napellus 30C, given in 30C potency as you prepare to leave, may help with the sudden fright experienced by many animals.
- Bach Flower Essences such as Rescue Remedy and the individual essences Aspen and/or Mimulus may also offer relief.
- For more chronic cases of separation anxiety, some homeopaths have found Boiron Arsenicum Album 30C and Boiron Phosphorus 30C helpful in select cases; however, that determination is best made by an experienced homeopath.
Calming Supplements
Several calming supplements for dogs may also provide relief:
- L-theanine — an amino acid that may help calm anxious dogs
- GABA — a supplement that may support a calmer demeanor
- Valerian and Kava — herbs that may be helpful in select cases
— Dr. Michael Dym, VMD
