It’s heartbreaking to see your furry friend whining and pacing when you’re about to leave home. Unfortunately, separation stress is a common issue among dogs. According to research, up to 20% of dogs suffer from separation anxiety.

This anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent behaviors such as excessive barking, chewing, or trying to escape when the owner is away from home. But what causes separation stress in dogs?.

1. Lack of socialization

Like humans, socialization is crucial for dogs to develop healthy relationships with other dogs and people. Dogs that lack proper socialization tend to become anxious and fearful in new or strange environments and with new people.

Similarly, dogs that only interact with their owners and are rarely exposed to new faces, places, and experiences may also develop separation anxiety.

2. Previous Negative Experiences

Experiences such as being abandoned, surrendered to a shelter, or being left in boarding or foster homes with little human interaction can lead to separation stress in dogs.

These traumatic experiences leave the dog feeling insecure, fearful, and unsure about leaving their new human owners. Therefore, their fear of abandonment and loss can cause excessive whining, barking, and other unwanted behaviors when left alone.

3. Over-attachment to Owners

As cute as it seems, it’s never good to allow your dog to become overly dependent on you. Dogs that don’t know how to self-soothe or have never been taught to entertain themselves when alone can feel anxious and restless.

Thus, dogs that follow you everywhere, cling to you, or demand your attention all the time may be at risk of developing separation anxiety.

4. Changes in Daily Routine

Dogs are creatures of habit. Thus, changes in their normal routine can cause confusion, stress, and anxiety in dogs.

For instance, if the master is working from home suddenly goes back to working in an office, your dog may become anxious about being left alone for hours. Similarly, several other environmental changes such as a new job, new pet, or a new house may affect the dog’s comfort level.

5. Genetics

Aside from environmental factors, genetics also play a significant role in a dog’s susceptibility to separation stress.

Certain breeds, such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Border Collies tend to be more prone to develop separation anxiety than others like Bull Terriers, Greyhounds, and Alaskan Malamutes. This means that if your dog is of the more susceptible breeds, it’s essential to pay extra attention to his or her behavior and seek the necessary treatment or training before the separation anxiety gets worse.

6. Lack of Exercise and Stimulation

Like humans, dogs also need to exercise regularly to relieve stress and stay in shape. Active dogs that get enough exercise and playtime are likely to be calmer and more relaxed than their sedentary counterparts.

Dogs that lack sufficient mental and physical stimulation may become bored, aggressive, and destructive when left alone for extended periods.

7. Health Issues

Separation anxiety symptoms can sometimes be a sign of underlying medical issues such as hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, or chronic pain.

It’s essential to rule out any possible medical causes before diagnosing your dog with separation anxiety.

8. Age and Stage of Life

Separation anxiety is not limited to puppies or younger dogs only. Some older dogs might suddenly develop separation stress after experiencing significant changes such as the loss of a partner or the onset of cognitive dysfunction.

Elderly dogs may also develop an intense fear of abandonment, making them more susceptible to separation anxiety.

9. Trauma

Trauma can be caused by several factors such as loud noises, abuse, accidents, or exposure to frightening situations. Dogs that have experienced repeated or severe trauma can become anxious, afraid, and nervous when left alone.

Such dogs may bond quickly with their owners and become obsessed with never losing sight of them.

10. Lack of Training

Training your dog to be comfortable with being alone is essential. Dogs that have not undergone effective training may become too attached to their owners and cannot cope with being left alone for any length of time.

Training helps to reinforce that being left alone is not scary and that it’s perfectly normal.

Conclusion

Separation anxiety in dogs is a complex issue with several possible causes, from lack of proper socialization to genetic predisposition. Recognizing the signs and pinpointing the cause is the first step in finding a lasting solution.

Fortunately, there are several effective treatments available, ranging from medication to behavior modification therapy.