Do You Know the 4 Surprising Early Warning Signs That Your Dog May Be Brewing Separation Anxiety?

It’s easy to confuse early symptoms of separation anxiety with what seems to be your dog’s devotion to you.

Separation anxiety can become a very serious problem that can be prevented by taking steps when signs first appear.   Does your dog need to be near you at all times and does he become worried as you prepare to leave the house?

Does he greet your return with crazy excitement no matter how long you have been away? Does he do things while you are away that he never does while you are home?

A big mistake owners make is to blame their dog’s destructiveness in their absence on “jealousy” or “spite”. They believe their dog is bored, naughty or angry at being left at home.

If your dog has genuine separation anxiety, he feels extreme nervousness when you’re away. What he’s experiencing is the equivalent of a human panic attack he has no control over, and he’s likely exhibiting one or more of the following inappropriate coping behaviors in your absence:

•   Vocalizing. This is typically barking, whining, or howling that starts before you leave or soon after, and continues for most of the time you are away. Chances are your neighbors already have or will soon let you know there’s a problem.
• Drooling. Excessive salivation is considered by experts to be a red flag for separation anxiety when the excess drool only occurs when a dog is alone or believes she’s alone.
• Accidents in the house. Your dog has pee and/or poop accidents in random locations around your house rather than in one  consistent spot, and this only happens when he’s alone or believes he’s alone.
• Destructive behavior. Dogs with separation anxiety typically cause damage to doors or windows (exit points), or personal items such as clothing, pillows, or the TV remote control. Confining these dogs to a kennel or carrier often causes an escalation of the behavior and can result in self-injury.

If you recognize any of these four early warning signs in your dog, it is time to take action.  Knowing the right way to handle the problem is critical.

Because this is a painful emotional experience for a dog, punishment will further increase his pain and make his condition worse.  The solution is a carefully designed plan for behavior modification.  It is often best to seek the help of a professional behaviorist.

Source: Healthy Pets with Dr Karen Becker