Separation Anxiety in Dogs and Returning to the Office
For some, returning to the office gives us something to look forward to. It gives us a chance to get out of the house, socialize, and collaborate. It provides us with a change of scenery and mental stimulation. For others, returning to the office feels overwhelming, and anxiety ridden.
These feelings also hold true for dogs. Over the past year, dogs have grown accustomed to having humans at their side nearly 24/7. Now that life is slowly returning to what it once was pre-pandemic, some dogs are feeling scared and confused when left alone. Some dogs will quickly adapt back into their old routine. Others will not. For those who are having trouble being left alone, they may be experiencing separation anxiety.
Signs a dog may be experiencing separation anxiety includes:
Excessive barking, whining, crying, or howling
Escape attempts – sometimes to the point of self-harm
Destructiveness – usually aimed at exit/entry points like doorways, flooring, or windows
House soiling in an otherwise housetrained dog
Fearful or upset body language such as: panting, trembling, tucked tail, pacing, cowering
Other signs of separation anxiety can be harder to detect. They can be subtle changes in body language such as repeated lip licking, wide eyes (AKA whale eyes), or drooling/salivating.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your return to the office if you suspect your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety:
DON’T:
Make the dog “cry it out”. Leaving a dog home alone for any longer than they comfortably handle will not change the underlying fearful emotions in your dog, even if they seem calm upon your return. Instead, they may be experiencing learned helplessness. Learned helplessness occurs when a dog repeatedly faces a negative, uncontrollable situation such as being left home alone, and eventually gives up trying to fix the problem altogether. In the long-term this can lead to depression.
Get a second dog in hopes that your dog with separation anxiety needs a buddy. Getting a second dog often does not help reduce the underlying emotions of a dog being left home alone. Sometimes it works. But often, it does not.
Think food, treats, and chews are the answer. There are several reasons for this.
Some dogs refuse to eat when left alone so food is a moot point.
Other dogs may readily take the food and treats, but as soon as they finish their treats, they panic once they realize they have been left alone.
Food and treats can become the predictor of being left alone. Essentially, treats become scary instead of exciting.
Look for a quick fix: There is no magic button to press to fix separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is all about changing emotions, not behavior, which takes time and patience. If someone is promising to “fix” your dog’s separation in a way that sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
DO:
Manage absences: Make a list of friends and family who can be with your dog while you are away, so they do not have to be left alone. If you do not have friends or family nearby, get creative. Perhaps the dog can go to doggy daycare for a few hours? Or maybe you can make a post on a social media community page asking volunteers who would like to spend a day or two a week with your dog? You may be surprised at the amount of people willing to spend their day with a stranger’s dog. College students are a great example. Many college students live in apartments that do not allow pets, so they may see your post and get excited at the prospect of hanging out with a dog for a day.
Plan ahead: If you suspect your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety, reach out to a separation anxiety specialist as soon as possible. Many trainers have waitlists with the reopening of workplaces. It is best to get on a list now rather than waiting until your official return to work date.
To learn more about separation anxiety in dogs visit our main page here.
