Dealing with separation anxiety in dogs is often one of the most challenging behavioral issues to address. Despite claims of a magical overnight solution, treating this condition is rarely simple. Similar to managing other anxiety disorders, it typically requires a combination of approaches over an extended period.
If you're working to help your dog with separation anxiety, it's important to understand that effective management relies on various techniques and consistent repetition. Anxiety can be complex, and improvement won't happen overnight.
There are several common misconceptions about treating separation anxiety in dogs. While some of these ideas aren't entirely false (the notion that it's just a phase is completely unfounded), they are often incomplete. Used alone, they rarely suffice for dogs with moderate to severe anxiety. Let's explore five such myths and why they may not always work.
A Second Dog Will Cure Your Dog’s Anxiety
The belief that adding a second dog will resolve separation anxiety is widespread, and at first glance, it seems logical—after all, a new companion might keep your dog company. However, this approach is rarely a guaranteed solution. Dogs with separation anxiety aren't primarily lonely; they experience distress when separated from their owners. Even with another dog present, their anxiety about your absence often persists.
When you bring a second dog into a home with an anxious dog, one of three scenarios typically unfolds: your current dog remains anxious when you leave, your current dog teaches the new dog that anxiety during departures is 'normal' (especially risky with impressionable puppies), or your current dog feels slightly less anxious with a buddy. Since the third outcome isn't assured, getting a second dog could lead to two anxious dogs.
Adding a new pet should be a decision based on your desire for another companion, not a quick fix for anxiety. It's a significant commitment that requires careful consideration beyond just addressing your current dog's behavior.
Adding a second dog can be a wonderful choice when motivated by a genuine desire for another pet, but it's not a reliable solution for separation anxiety. Dogs with this condition react to being apart from their owners, and a new companion doesn't guarantee relief.
Crate Training Will Cure It
Crate training itself isn't a bad practice, but it's not a guaranteed cure for separation anxiety. Its effectiveness hinges entirely on how your dog feels about their crate. If your dog has separation anxiety, using a crate might help keep them safe while you're away, but only if they're truly comfortable in it.
For many dogs, building this comfort takes time. If your dog avoids the crate or seems fearful of it, confining them there during your absence can intensify their anxiety—they'll not only stress about your departure but also feel trapped in an unsafe space. To use a crate successfully, you must first help your dog associate it with positive experiences. Encourage them to view the crate as a place of safety and rewards, not fear.
With proper positive conditioning, a crate can offer comfort, but this depends on whether the crate's security outweighs the anxiety of your leaving. It's a tool that may assist in management, but not a standalone cure.
Exercise Will Cure It
While exercise can reduce some destructive behaviors, it's rarely sufficient on its own to cure separation anxiety. That said, most dogs benefit from increased physical activity. Many owners leave for work without giving their dogs a chance to burn off energy, which can be especially tough for young, active breeds.
A morning walk, jog, or play session before departure is beneficial, but it may not keep your dog calm during your absence. Exercise helps with overall well-being and can lower baseline anxiety, but it doesn't address the root cause of separation distress. If extra exercise doesn't work, provide mental stimulation as you leave.
For example, a frozen Kong stuffed with treats can distract your dog, shifting their focus from your departure. These toys are mentally engaging and time-consuming, making them effective at holding a dog's attention. While exercise is valuable, it's most effective when combined with other strategies like mental enrichment.
Increasing your dog's exercise is a great step, but it may not be enough to treat separation anxiety alone. If your dog gets plenty of activity but still becomes anxious when you leave, try offering a distracting task, like a stuffed Kong, to redirect their attention as you exit.
It’s Gone Forever Once You Manage It
A common misunderstanding is that once separation anxiety is managed, it's permanently cured. Unfortunately, this isn't the case—anxiety can resurface without ongoing maintenance. For example, a dog's anxiety, which was well-controlled, might flare up after a move to a new home, a change in routine, or other stressful life adjustments.
The good news is that since you're familiar with your dog's anxiety signs, you can catch it earlier the second time. Early intervention typically makes management easier. A return of anxiety doesn't mean your initial efforts failed; it simply means a new trigger has affected your dog.
Reapplying the successful methods you used before, such as desensitization exercises or creating a calm departure routine, can help manage the renewed anxiety. Consistent maintenance is key to long-term success.
It’s Just a Phase They’ll Grow Out Of
Dogs go through various life stages, but separation anxiety isn't one of them. It's a behavioral issue that can affect any dog, regardless of age or breed. In most cases, separation anxiety is progressive—it will worsen over time without intervention.
Unlike a passing phase, it doesn't resolve on its own. Just as humans don't outgrow anxiety disorders with age, dogs don't either. To prevent escalation, active management is necessary, often involving desensitization and counter-conditioning to change your dog's negative association with departures into a positive one.
This process requires time and effort, but it's essential—your dog won't simply 'grow out of' separation anxiety. Addressing it early can prevent it from becoming a more severe, entrenched problem.
Conclusion
Managing separation anxiety in dogs is undoubtedly challenging, and witnessing your pet's distress is heartbreaking. However, there are effective methods to help. These approaches require time and consistent repetition, but progress is possible.
Don't be discouraged if a single technique doesn't work immediately; every dog is different, and a combination of strategies may be needed. With patience, understanding, and the right approach, you can help your dog feel more secure when you're apart.
Please share with your friends
