Leaving your dog home alone is unavoidable. You have to go to work or simply leave to pick up things at the grocery store. As much fun as it would be to bring your furbaby everywhere with you, it just isn’t realistic. The act of you leaving can have a huge impact on your dog, though. Separation anxiety is a behavior disorder that is quite common and a very real issue in dogs.

According to Dogs Naturally, a dog may display one or more of the following if separation anxiety is present:

• Scratching and digging near doors and windows in an attempt to escape and find their owner
• Destructive behavior, chewing door frames or other items in an attempt to channel their anxiety
• Barking, whining and howling in an attempt to summon their owner
• Excessive salivation, chewing on or licking themselves
• In extreme cases, sometimes even urination and defecation can result from the immense physiological effect of prolonged stress 

Separation anxiety can develop in dogs who:

• Have previously not spent much time alone
• Have been abandoned at key points in their psychological development
• Who were not properly integrated into their first home, perhaps confined to a small space without enough social interaction
• Who were removed from mother and litter-mates too early (prior to 8 weeks of age) or too late (after 14 weeks)
• Who have endured a traumatic event, such as a frightening experience at a shelter or kennel, or a significant change in their household, such as a new person joining the family, a move to another house, or change in the owner’s work schedule
• Some dogs tend to become extremely attached to their new person, and then feel insecure when that person leaves. This might be a result of losing a previous home and person to which he was attached.

The destructive actions, accidents, and neurotic behavior that accompany dog separation anxiety are manifestations of a panic response. But it is a problem that you can work on bettering. Some dogs may never fully break free of their anxiety, but most can. 

How to Help Your Dog with Separation Anxiety

Include Your Dog

Dog separation anxiety results largely from being excluded. Dogs crave the social interaction and companionship that only you can give them. Any time possible, bring your dog with you.

Exercise Your Dog

This should go without saying, but yet it seems a foreign concept to most dog owners. Set a goal for yourself and your dog to spend at least thirty minutes each day exercising vigorously.

Play Together

Your dog needs more than exercise, he needs to play. Get down on the floor and play with him!

Practice Leaving

You should go through the motions of leaving the house without actually leaving. Grab your keys and coat and then sit down. After a few times of this, add in the next step of opening the door and then closing it. All the while, make sure you are not making a big deal about the act. You want your dog to get used to the actions without panicking. 

Next, walk outside and then come back in. After doing that, lengthen the time you wait outside or in your car. Never make a big deal about returning inside. Ignore your pup for a few minutes and continue with your day. He will eventually be used to you coming and going and knowing that you do return. 

Supplement

There are several options or combinations of natural items you can try to ease your dog’s anxiety:

• CBD Oil
• Herbs
• Homeopathy
• Flower Essences
• Essential Oils