Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for your dog to display the signs of separation anxiety, and sometimes people will give their dog away because of it. Separation anxiety is when a dog becomes stressed when they are left alone. To relive the stress, most of the dogs become destructive and will chew, dig, scratch at doors and windows, go to the bathroom in the house, and basically do all it takes to get out to their owner. Dogs with separation anxiety can be very destructive when left alone, but there are some things you can do for your dog to help him understand you are not abandoning him for good.
For minor cases of separation anxiety, there are several things you can do for your dog. When you leave and when you come back home, don’t make a big deal about it. Let your dog calm down before you leave and after you get home by ignoring him fo a few minutes. When he has calmed himself down, pet him calmly as to not get him excited again. Also, you can leave an old piece of clothing that smells like you with your dog. For some dogs, the smell of their owner calms them, and they will snuggle with the clothing and sleep until their owner comes back. There are also over-the-counter calming products for dogs, and some people swear by how well they work. Another good way to teach your dog that you will come back when you leave is to establish a safety cue. Decide on a word and/or action to use every time you leave that will let your dog know you’ll be back. You can teach him this by giving him the cue, leaving for a minute or so, then coming back. With repetition and extending the length of time you go out the door, your dog will understand the point you are trying to get across; you are coming back to him.
For more severe problems, you might consider leaving your dog in a room with a window, some of your clothes, and some interactive toys. Crating will not help your dog, and in most cases, it makes the separation anxiety worse. Teaching him a safety cue can also help, and the calming products might benefit as well.
Most of the time, getting another dog, crating, and punishing the dog doesn’t help. In fact, it makes it worse in most cases. Another product that my or may not work for your dog is the Thundershirt. Visit their website to learn more about the calming Thundershirt.
One For The Dogs 