In this article, we explain separation anxiety as a typical problem for a dog whose owner leave in the evening or at night. Separation anxiety in dogs is when a dog panics at the slightest indication of being left alone for a short time. The dog might also exhibit various unwanted behaviors such as barking, howling, chewing, digging, urinating, and defecating. Below are the five indicators that suggest your dog suffers from night separation anxiety.
Excessive Salivation
A possible sign that your dog has separation anxiety is if you find them drooling excessively and salivating at night just before you leave them. Some dogs do salivate when they are excited or before eating; however, if your dog starts to drool excessively and has puddles on the floor every time you prepare to leave or when you are about to leave, then this is an indication that your dog is highly stressed and anxious about your absence. Drooling arises from some dogs as they reach a highly stressed point. If you ever encounter this, the best way to handle it is to gently divert their attention using a biscuit or a toy, and then leave.
Destructive Behavior
It is a fact that dogs that suffer from this condition are prone to damaging property, especially doors, windows, and areas in which you spend most of your time. If you return home from work at night after you’ve left your dog and see destroyed cushions all over the floor, chewed walls, or ruined carpets, your dog is anxious when you go. In this way, the destruction serves as a relief of their stress. See that your dog has several appropriate toys to chew on before going out, with the idea to limit your dog’s access to prohibited items.
Pacing and Restlessness
Dogs that expect their owners will be back soon will engage in a pacing activity, moving from the window to the door and vice versa in anticipation of your arrival. If your dog still cannot lie down and starts pacing for longer than 10 minutes after you leave, this pacing is due to anxiety. The motion also helps calm them down and shift their attention away from the stressful things in their mind. To check whether the dog paces nonstop when you are away, try recording its behavior when you are not around.
Excessive Barking and Howling
Persistent loud vocalization and howling during separation are symptoms of anxiety in dogs. This is especially true if your dog has been barking with a high pitch and frequently howling for extended periods; this indicates the dog is highly stressed because you are not around. If people in the neighborhood complain of continuous noise every time you leave your anxious dog at night, then this is likely a sign of separation anxiety in your dog.
If this is the case, it is a severe sign of distress during these times. Vocalizations from your dog are a sign of anguish because they lack the confidence that you will return back home. Consult your vet to discuss possible anti-anxiety drugs that can be administered to your dog prior to your leaving.
Accidents Around the House
Some scared and anxious dogs can include younger ones or dogs that have been recently adopted. When you leave, these dogs might urinate, defecate, and eliminate around your home due to loss of bladder and bowel control. This loss of power can be attributed to separation anxiety, which is not limited to puppies, but can even occur with adult housetrained dogs.
If you return home again and again and your dog starts urinating on himself/herself or tries to avoid you because of shame, anxiety will contribute to this type of behavior. Limit the time spent outside the house before leaving and take your dog to the vet to ensure he/she has no other health condition that should have prevented him/her from going out.
Tackling Nighttime Separation Anxiety
If your dog has multiple signs of anxiety at night when you leave, it is time to seek help from your vet and a veterinarian behaviorist. Some things that might help reduce their discomfort for a bit include taking them for a longer walk prior to leaving so that they are too exhausted to get upset, leaving out clothes you have worn recently for them to cuddle with, and providing them with dog toys smeared with peanut butter to occupy themselves and distract. If the behavior persists or if this is affecting their quality of life, then consider trying anti-anxiety medication. Through intensive training, based on positive reinforcement and counter conditioning, a dog can be trained in new coping strategies for the separation anxiety. This lets both of you rest at night so that you can be ready to face challenges the next day.
