What are the signs of separation anxiety?

How can you tell that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety or other separation-related behaviors? Below is a list of both the “BIG” and less obvious signs of separation anxiety, as well as what we call “displacement behaviors,” that look like behaviors we see every day, but are behaviors we may see out of context with dogs suffering from separation anxiety.

If you are seeing these signs, a consultation with Erika can help you determine not only if your dog does have separation anxiety, but will determine your dog’s baseline for how long they can be alone to start the training.

 

The “BIG” signs of separation anxiety*:

  • Excessive barking, whining, crying, and howling

  • Chewing or destroying floors, walls, and doors, particularly around entrances

  • Frantic attempts to escape, sometimes to the point of self-harm

  • Peeing or pooping inside the house (especially when the dog is otherwise house-trained)

  • Getting anxious well before the pet parent leaves

The less obvious signs of separation anxiety*:

  • Licking

  • Panting

  • Salivating, drooling

  • Freezing

  • Withdrawing

  • Eyes wide

  • Blinking

  • Tail tucked

  • Cowering

  • Whining, low-level crying

  • Hiding

  • Trembling

  • Ears pinned back

  • Pacing

  • Shaking

*SA Pro Resources, Julie Naismith, Subthreshold Training

Displacement Behaviors

Displacement behaviors are normal dog behaviors that are out of context and are early signs that our dogs are feeling stressed. We pay close attention to these behaviors to make sure we are not pushing the dog beyond their threshold with our separation anxiety training program. Keeping the dog under threshold is imperative to making progress.

Examples of displacement behaviors:

  • Yawning when not tired or waking up

  • Lip licking/tongue flicks when no food or water has been or is about to be consumed

  • Scratching themselves

  • Shaking off when not wet or dirty

  • Air humping

  • Sniffing, suddenly sniffing the ground

  • Excessive licking/self-grooming

  • Jumping up on their humans

  • Mouthing/nipping their humans

  • Stretching

  • Sneezing

Your dog may exhibit a specific behavior that “tells” you they are already getting stressed before you even get out the door.

In my experience, each dog has an individual “tell,” a behavior that always means the dog’s anxiety is rising or that the dog is already over threshold. Watch for these signs carefully as they can sometimes be subtle and might also be something we may not typically pay attention to because we are desensitized to it, not realizing that it’s the dog’s way of saying they are getting anxious, and if we continue what we are doing (getting ready to leave the dog/have left the dog), the dog will get even more stressed and won’t be able to handle the training.

It’s incredibly important that we learn what your dog’s “tell” is.

Common Myths About Separation Anxiety

Myths abound about what works to help dogs with this panic disorder. One quick spin around the internet shows this. Here are three common myths we need to stop disseminating (there are many others!):

MYTH: It's your fault your dog has separation anxiety because you ____________.
TRUTH: We actually don't know what causes separation anxiety. Recent data that suggests that it may be genetic for some dogs (we know fear can be genetic). It's normal for dogs to want to be with their special humans. After all, we have bred them for thousands of years to be near us. Give yourself a break and know that you haven't caused your dog's separation anxiety by letting them sleep in your bed, or whatever else people may say.

MYTH: Give your dog a KONG/chew/other food when you leave.
TRUTH: Using food with dogs who are suffering from separation anxiety does not alleviate separation anxiety and is at best a management tool for their human's very brief absences. Once the food is gone, the dog will start to panic. These items can also become a poisoned cue for the dog and they may stop taking these items at all times because they are associated with their human leaving. Save KONGs, chews, and other food puzzles for enrichment when you are home, not absences.

MYTH: Confine your dog in a crate when you leave.
TRUTH: Confinement can actually worsen the panic & fear of many dogs with separation anxiety. Some dogs will injure themselves trying to get out of the crate. Dogs with separation anxiety typically do better when they have more space rather than less.