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Cats and dogs can become anxious upon separation from their human caretakers, even if
the separation is temporary. When a pet is not accustomed to being alone, it may need to
adjust to isolation. Separation anxiety can be manifested as barking, whining, destructiveness,
self-inflicted wounds, excessive grooming, and inappropriate elimination. It may occur in pets
of any age.
Signs of separation anxiety may suddenly occur in an aging pet that has never previously had a
problem when away from you or left alone. Particularly in older dogs, this may result from
physical changes relating to age or to an undiagnosed medical problem. Inappropriate urination
may be associated with various physical ailments. When medical causes have been ruled out,
behavioral modification can be used to relieve separation anxiety. Certain types of
medication may also be used with this training.
 When your
pet is young, gradually accustom it to progressively longer periods of separation.
Precede anticipated absences with "quality time." When you are about to leave, give
your pet an attractive chew toy that is available only when you are absent. Practice periods of
separation can be very helpful if separation anxiety is a problem for your young adult or
adult pet. For example, on a nonworkday, go through your usual routine as if preparing to
leave for work, but do not go anywhere.
Practice "down / stay" with your dog. Gradually accustom for longer and longer periods as
you move farther and farther away, eventually leaving the house for several minutes. Begin with
brief training sessions (less than 5 minutes) and then extend these progressively (one-half hour
or longer) over the course of several weeks. Return only if your dog is calm and remains still.
Release the dog from "stay" by giving the command to "come" or "okay."
Because anxiety builds as your pet anticipates your departure, try to rearrange your departure
routine so that your pet is no longer able to reliably predict when you are about to leave.
This may. be why the most intense displays of separation anxiety occur within the first 10
minutes or so of departure.
Pets are sensitive to our moods and actions. When we are anxious, rushed, or excited, their
level of arousal increases. Pets that are trained to be calm and controlled in general are
more likely to remain calm under stressful conditions, for example, when they are left alone.
If we teach them that it is a "big deal" when we leave and return, they will also think it's
a "big deal" when we are not there. Make your departures and arrivals home a calm and controlled
experience. Do not make long goodbye speeches; just leave. Avoid exuberant greetings in excited
tones of voice; rather, quietly insist that your dog sit and stay so as to earn your presence.
Make certain that the time you are together is filled with as much enjoyable interaction
as possible. The more you play with your pet, the less likely it will amuse itself with
inappropriate diversions when you leave. The more frequent or longer your dog's walks are,
the more likely it will be to sleep through your absence. Include your pet in your activities
while you are home. Give it praise and attention for being good, such as when it is lying
quietly at your feet, so that it does not need to resort to inappropriate attention-seeking
behavior.
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