Separation Anxiety: The Difference Between Boredom and Panic

If you’ve ever owned a dog with separation anxiety, you know it’s a heartbreaking and debilitating condition that dogs suffer from. Owners of dogs with separation anxiety have an extremely difficult time leaving their dog anywhere. Some even report coming home to walls and bloody window sills excessively chewed on. Some cases are more severe than others, but most cases of true separation anxiety are very traumatic for both the dog and the owner.

How can you tell if your dog is suffering from true separation anxiety or if the cause of their behaviour is something else entirely? Symptoms of separation anxiety include house soiling, chewing on furniture, excessive vocalization, pacing and other destructive behaviours. House soiling can be caused by incomplete house training, and barking and chewing can be a cause of boredom or inadequate exercise. The difference varies with each dog, it’s always a good idea to contact a professional to talk about your dogs’ symptoms and come up with a solution.

Training plans for curing boredom or house training are a lot less complicated than executing a plan to treat separation anxiety, so it’s smart to contact a positive reinforcement trainer sooner rather than later. Fourtunately, dogs who suffer from separation anxiety in most cases can be rehabilitated. It takes a lot of dedication and commitment but it is possible! If you’re concerned that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, please contact a professional as soon as possible.