Some Myths about Separation Anxiety

By Vanessa

You realize that your dog has separation anxiety, now what? I am sure that you are getting a lot of advice from well-meaning friends and family. However, how much of that is good information? Below are some common myths that you might have heard. Let’s take a deeper dive into what we know now are myths

Myth: Shelter dogs get separation anxiety, but dogs from breeders do not

Sadly, any dog can suffer from separation anxiety. Those dogs that suffer from separation anxiety can include mixed breeds, pure breeds, dogs from shelters, dogs from rescues, or dogs and puppies from breeders.

Myth: Separation anxiety is not treatable

Separation anxiety is almost always treatable. However, because dogs are individuals and we’re dealing with aspects of their mental and physical health we cannot guarantee treatment will work. That would be an unethical promise. Some dogs might require medication to help them through the treatment and beyond, and that is okay. Also, some dogs might take a longer time to recover from their panic disorder and require continued treatment.

Just remember: each dog is an individual and no one can predict how they will respond to treatment or how long it will take.

Myth: Dogs can “grow out” of separation anxiety

It is not true that a dog will grow out of separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is a panic disorder and may be resolved with a systematic desensitization plan. Continually subjecting your dog to the panic they feel when being home alone for extended periods will not resolve the panic. In fact, if you are continuously leaving your dog home alone for longer than he or she can handle, you may be making the situation worse.

Myth: Getting more exercise is a cure

While exercise can help tire a dog who has a lot of energy, it will not fix the underlying emotion of panic that a dog feels when left by themselves. It is true that some of the symptoms of separation anxiety can mimic that of a dog who is bored. However, a dog who is truly experiencing separation anxiety will not be cured by exercise.

Myth: Leaving your dog with food or toys will fix it

Many people will tell you that leaving food toys or regular toys out will resolve separation anxiety. There are a couple of reasons why this will not work. For one thing, some dogs will not eat or even drink when their guardians are gone. Secondly, if your dog does eat while you are gone, what are they going to do when the food is gone? The panic is only abated for the short amount of time that the food lasts.

Myth: Another dog will fix it

Has anyone heard that getting another dog will fix your current dog’s separation anxiety? Well, maybe it will and maybe it won’t. With separation anxiety your dog is afraid when you are gone. Getting another dog does not fix that.
Anecdotally we have seen many, many pairs of dogs where one dog is afraid of being left alone and the companion dog is not. Worse, what if both of the dogs suffer from separation anxiety?

Myth: If you don’t punish your dog for their behavior, they won’t know it is wrong

Some of the saddest cases out there occur when people punish their dogs for separation anxiety behaviors.
Coming home and finding your couch shredded can make you mad. Seeing that your dog went to the bathroom all over your new carpet is awful. And being threatened by neighbors and landlords because of the noise your dog is making is very stressful. All of these issues are a cause for stress, anger, and even anxiety in you: I get it. However, we as guardians have to keep in mind that our dogs are doing this because they are in a state of extreme panic.
If you smack your dog or punish them in some other way, they will still feel panic when you are gone.

Myth: Leave the TV or radio on to keep your dog company

Your dog is terrified of being left alone. They know very well that the TV is not you. A radio or TV is not a substitute for mom or dad being home with them. While putting on the TV for your dog when you leave is a nice thought, it doesn’t stop that panicked feeling they have when you leave.

Myth: Leave your dog with a t-shirt or blanket that smells like you

Has anyone told you that you should leave something at home that smells like you so that your dog will be comforted by your smell? I have heard this a lot. Initially it made sense to me; however, then I realized that your entire home smells like you. If scent was the answer, your dog would not have separation anxiety while being left home alone.

Separation anxiety is a complex disorder. The best advice I can give you is to seek the help of an expert like a veterinarian or a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) like myself if you suspect that your dog has separation anxiety. Help is available.