With many businesses reopening and employees heading back to work, dogs may suffer separation anxiety after the extra attention given to them during the quarantine is taken away. 

Certified trainer Mike Ratliff says there is no doubt our dogs enjoyed the extra time with us and he offers suggestions on how to handle post-quarantine separation anxiety in dogs, a condition that can be triggered when a dog’s routine abruptly changes.

“Separation anxiety in dogs describes a condition in which a dog exhibits distress and behavior problems when separated from its owner,” said Ratliff. “The degree of separation anxiety can be different for every dog, but there are things you can do.”

Symptoms that can indicate separation anxiety include barking, howling, chewing, digging, destroying property, escaping, pacing and incontinence. It’s important to rule out underlying medical issues. 

Background noise might help if anxiety is exhibited.

“Leave a TV or radio on,” said Ratliff. “Noise in the background is always a good thing. One thing dog owners can do is provide the dog with clothes with your smell on them. Leave your clothes lying around where the dog is going to be so they know you haven’t left completely. They can smell you.”

Use low-key departures and returns to let the dog know there is not a problem.

“Step out the door and wait,” said Ratliff. “When you come back in, it’s low key. Come in and sit down. When everything is calm, then give the dog attention. The next time you leave, stay gone a little longer. Use the same technique when you come back. Show them attention after they’ve calmed down. Spend a little bit more time out of the house. Get in your car and drive around the block. Extend your time away from them gradually. What you’re doing is desensitizing your dog to you being gone.”

Ratliff also suggests mixing up the time intervals – five minutes, 10 minutes, and then three minutes – to prevent the dog from picking up on the consistency of absences.

If sessions of leaving and returning are not possible, try in-home separation.

“Put them in another room or crate them,” said Ratliff. “Extend separation time that way. If you do that during the quarantine, it will help prevent your dog from becoming what I call a Velcro dog – clinging to you constantly because you’re there. It keeps that separation consistent throughout your stay at home.” 

Invest in mental enrichment by purchasing interactive toys.

“Give them toys to keep them busy,” said Ratliff. “Anything they enjoy will work. Give them the toy when you’re there and when you’re home. If you only give them an enrichment toy when you’re leaving, that’s a cue that they will pick up on. Enrichment toys will keep them busy. A good dog bone that they enjoy chewing on will also work.”

He recommends building a dog’s confidence.

“Another thing is confidence building, which helps them feel more secure when they are alone,” said Ratliff. “Obedience training is great. Obedience doesn’t correct an anxiety condition, but you can use it to build confidence which is helpful. Take them to different places that they haven’t been before and that will help build their confidence.”

Seek a veterinarian’s advice for information on available medication options if you wish to pursue that route, but Ratliff doesn’t recommend medication, especially for the long term.