Heading back to the office? Prepare your dog for separation anxiety

While your cat might have resented your recent work-from-home schedule, chances are your dog loved it.

Dogs love having their owners around.

While science disputes the notion that dogs are true pack animals, no one denies that most dogs are pretty sociable. More time at home for you means more snuggles, more walks, more play time and (let’s face it) more treats for them.

But now covid-19 quarantine restrictions are easing and many people are trading in their couches and sweats for desks and business casual. That will mean a period of adjustment for a lot of pooches.

The emotional upheaval and misbehavior of dogs left home alone is often labeled separation anxiety, but some experts say there’s a difference between true separation anxiety and what is called isolation distress.

Separation anxiety is seen in a dog that has formed a hyper-attachment to one person. When that person isn’t present (even though someone else is), the dog panics and may whine, bark nonstop or engage in other destructive behaviors until the person returns. Isolation distress is less acute. The dog panics when left alone, but is calm as long as someone is there.

Either way, there’s a problem.

The good news is that it’s probably not your fault that your dog is unhappy when left alone. Some dog breeds are more disposed to anxiety than others. Anxiety also can result from early trauma, having been returned to a shelter after an adoption, a change in the makeup of its human family or — what we’re talking about here — a change in routine.

The bad news is that anxiety can lead to these behaviors when the dog is left alone:

• Urinating or defecating in the house, along with coprophagia (eating the feces)

• Persistent barking, howling or pacing in a fixed pattern

• Chewing, digging, destruction and escape attempts — this can include damage to furniture, walls, floors, other household objects and even favorite toys. It also can lead to a dog injuring itself.

Preparation

If you’re facing a return to work, there are ways to make the transition easier on your dog. “Desensitization” is key, many experts say — that is, practice behaviors associated with leaving, so Fido becomes accustomed to them and accepts them as a normal part of everyday life.

• Pick up your keys, put on your shoes and coat, leave the room but don’t leave the house.

• Leave the house for short periods of time, starting with a minute or two and increasing the time. This reassures your dog that, whenever you leave, you will return.

• When you actually do leave, and also on your return, don’t make a fuss about it. Excess attention at these times teaches your dog that your absence is a big deal.

The real thing

Here are a few ways to keep your dog calm when you are away:

• If your pet has been crate-trained and is comfortable in the crate, it will provide safety for both the dog and your possessions.

• If you can, exercise your dog before you leave. A tired dog won’t have as much energy for misbehavior.

• Leave a piece of recently worn clothing with your dog — your scent can be calming.

• Give your dog a favorite toy, such as a puzzle toy containing a treat that he has to work to get out.

• Consider visits from a dog sitter or dog walker.

• If needed consider an over-the-counter herbal or homeopathic calming supplement or, in the worst-case scenario, a veterinarian-prescribed medication.

What doesn’t help

Opinions differ on whether it’s a good idea to leave a radio, television or other noise source on when you leave the house. There’s more consensus to show that these practices don’t alleviate separation anxiety:

• Punishment — your dog is displaying unwanted behaviors because he is already upset. Punishment can lead to further anxiety and the problem could actually get much worse.

• Obedience training — Training is always a good idea, separation anxiety isn’t caused by a lack of training.

• Getting a “companion pet — Anxiety is caused by separation from the dog’s favorite human, not from being alone.