Though temporarily parting with your furry companion can be sweet sorrow, a dog stricken with separation anxiety can have a much more dramatic reaction.
The moment you leave your home, your dog goes into panic-mode: scratching at the walls, doors and floors - desperately attempting to reunite with you; barking, whining, howling, chewing on furniture and uncontrollably defecating & urinating everywhere (despite being housebroken).
Since cleaning up the aftermath gets physically exhausting & very expensive, here are 7 tips on how to help a dog with separation anxiety: 1) Pretend as if you're going out, but stay home.
For example, grab your belongings (as if you're leaving), then sit down.
Keep on doing this until your dog's anxiety subsides.
Work your way up to going outside, closing the door and coming back quickly.
Repeat these steps until your dog grows comfortable with you're leaving the house.
2) Keep leaving the house for longer and longer periods of time (10 minutes, then 13 minutes, then 16 minutes, and so on) - until your dog grows accustomed to being left alone and staying calm.
3) Let your dog play with a hard rubber chew toy (Kong or Nylabone) to keep him preoccupied while you're gone; this keeps him from constantly barking and gnawing on the furniture (as well as other personal items).
4) Take a piece of clothing that has your scent and leave it with your dog.
A familiar scent creates a comforting presence that remains after you leave, and helps keep your dog calm enough to cope with separation anxiety.
5) Downplay entrances & exits.
Whether you're coming home or leaving home, suppress your enthusiasm when greeting your dog.
It's a challenge, but a less dramatic build-up can reduce the psychological charge that leads to your dog's separation anxiety.
6) Train your dog 'sit-stay' and 'down-stay' commands with positive reinforcement.
This will teach him to remain calm and happy in one place (while you go to another room).
This also creates a safe zone - limiting your dog's destruction.
Be sure the room have distractions (chew toys, smart toys, etc) instead of complete isolation.
7) Tire your dog out.
Give him plenty of exercise while you're home.
Be sure to take him for long walks or daily runs around the yard.
Preoccupying your dog with physical activity (and then with some much needed rest) will help keep his mind off being left alone.