6 Signs Your Dog May be Suffering from Separation Anxiety   

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6 Signs Your Dog May be Suffering from Separation Anxiety   

A common complaint by many pet parents is that their dogs are destructive or disruptive when they are left alone. They may find their dog has started to defecate, urinate, dig, chew, howl, bark, or try to get out of the house are yard. While this may indicate the dog needs to be taught how to act, it can also be the result of distress. 

If a dog’s issues are combined with other distress behaviors, such as showing anxiety or drooling when its parents get ready to leave, it is a sign the dog is suffering from separation anxiety. This can also be seen in Long Term Dog Boarding situations. Keep reading to learn some of the specific signs a dog is suffering from separation anxiety here.

Defecating or Urinating

Some dogs will defecate or urinate if they are left alone or separate from their human parents. If a dog does this in the presence of their human parents, the issue probably isn’t caused by separation anxiety.

Howling or Barking

Some dogs who have separation anxiety may start to howl or bark if they are left alone or separated from their person. This howling or barking is usually persistent and doesn’t appear to be triggered by anything besides being left by themselves.

Destruction, Digging or Chewing

There are some dogs who have separation anxiety that will chew on various objects, such as window sills, door frames, doorways, or they may dig at doors or destroy other household objects when they are left alone or separated from their people. It’s these types of behaviors that may result in self-injury, such as damaged nails, scraped or cut paws, or broken teeth. If a dog’s digging, destruction, or chewing is the result of separation anxiety, they don’t often occur when their parent is home.

Escaping

If a dog has separation anxiety, they may try to escape from an area where they have been confined when they are left alone. The dog may also try to dig and chew through the windows or doors, which may result in the injuries mentioned above. If the dog does suffer from this condition, it won’t typically occur when their owner is home.

Pacing

There are some dogs that will walk along a path in a fixed pattern if they are left alone or separated in some way from their parent. There are some pacing dogs that will move in circular patterns and others will move back and forth in a straight line. If a dog paces, it’s another sign of separation anxiety.

Coprophagia

If left alone or separated from their guardian, there are some dogs who will defecate and then eat some or all of the excrement. This usually occurs because of separation anxiety. 

Separation anxiety can be detrimental to a dog, how it acts, and its general sense of happiness and well-being. While this is true, there are some steps that can be taken to reduce these feelings. Sometimes, speaking to the dog’s vet is a good starting point. 

They can give the pet parent steps and strategies to use to help teach the dog not to perform these behaviors while alone. While this can take some time, in the long run, it will lead to a happier and healthier dog. Being informed is the best way to ensure the dog gets the treatment needed.