One of the most common and disheartening problems that dogs develop is separation anxiety. This is more of an anxiety disorder where the dog is left in a state of intense panic that is brought on by separation from their owner(s). To put it into perspective, if your dog is suffering from this disorder they will fall into a state of nervous anxiety each time you leave the house.

Part of this is because dogs are naturally social animals and need lots of interaction to keep them content and happy. While no dog likes to be left alone for long periods of time, some have an even harder time. These are the ones most likely to develop separation anxiety.

Factors that Cause Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Breed – Certain breeds are predisposed toward anxiety or insecurity. This is definitely something you want to consider when you decide which breed of dog you're going to go for. This becomes especially true if you're going to be gone for long periods of time.

Weimaraners, Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, and Airedales are some of the breeds that are prone to separation anxiety.

Abandonment - It's also important to note that a good portion of dogs from shelters develop separation anxiety. This is because they've experienced significant trauma in their lives. After all, they've been abandoned by their previous owners, so they have very little trust that their new owner (which is you) will not do the same.

Early Separation – A dog who has been separated from its mother or siblings too early are especially prone to separation anxiety. Puppies sold in pet stores are usually a good example of this because they're taken from their mothers well before 8 weeks, which is far too early. Couple this with the confinement of a small, glass box for long stretches of time and you have a recipe for insecurity. This is certainly psychologically traumatic for a dog.

Neglect – The number one reason for separation anxiety is neglect. This includes spending more time away from your dog than with them. Remember your dog needs affection, company and attention in order to be happy. This is really no different from humans.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety

The symptoms of dog separation anxiety are pretty easy to identify. At some point your dog will learn to tell when you're about to leave – she may hear the keys jingle, or see you putting on your jacket. This will usually make them anxious. They may follow you around from room to room, whine, tremble or cry. Some may even become aggressive in an attempt to stop you from leaving.

After you have left, the anxiety will rapidly get worse and will generally peak within 30 minutes. She will probably bark incessantly, chew on inappropriate items, scratch or dig at windows/doors. Some dogs have accidents inside the home. In extreme cases, dogs will self-mutilate by licking or chewing their skin until it becomes raw, pull out their fur or engage in obsessive-compulsive behaviors like spinning or tail chasing.

When You Return

When you finally return, they may be excessively excited. They may leap around you in a frenzy or delight in your presence for an extended period of time (more than 30 seconds to one minute). Often times owners will be unaware of the fact that this behavior could actually be the effect of a psychological disorder and encourage the dog to get worked up upon their arrival. It may seem harmless to shower your dog with affection when they are purely delighted to see you, but you may actually be encouraging her anxiety. Remember that when it comes time for you to leave again, her over excitement at your presence will only add to her disappointment when you are gone.

Minimizing the Anxiety

Thankfully, there are some things that you can do to minimize your dogs anxiety.

Exercise your dog regularly and make sure to do it well. Wear her out! The longer you expect to be gone, the more exercise she should get. Try giving her a vigorous walk (15-20 minutes minimum) before you head off to work. The more time you can spend, the better.

Make sure she has lots of things to distract her from boredom, loneliness and anxiety. Because all dogs love to chew on things, try giving her a couple marrowbones. You can find them at your local butcher. Bake them for 20 minutes to ensure they get crunchy and to prevent her from getting marrow all over the place. Slice them up into chunks a few inches long. Give her one 15 minutes before you head out the door. This will keep her happy and occupied.

You may also try leaving a radio on while you are gone to soothe her. Classical music and talk radio shows are great for this! There's no need to blast the radio, they just need to feel as though they have some company.

It may also help to supply her with a nice view. If she can see the world outside the window, it's the next best thing to being out there.

Get her used to your departure. Take things slow and practice getting ready to leave. Jingle your keys around, put on your jacket and then open the door. Rather than actually leaving, sit back down and don't go anywhere. Keep trying this until she no longer has a reaction to your routine. When she fails to react, immediately praise her and reward her with a treat. The next step is to practice actually walking out the door (and returning immediately) until she no longer reacts to that. Take things slowly and work your way up to being able to leave the house without any signs of stress from her.

Try not to overreact to her crying, or be overly sympathetic. While this may sound cruel, by bathing her in affection you're actually validating her concerns. Don't let her know that you feel sorry for leaving. Avoid saying, "It's Okay, good girl."

If you're interested in getting a more detailed look at how to deal with your dog's separation anxiety, you might like to check out Secrets to Dog Training. It's a great learning tool for anyone who wants to learn how to constructively deal with their dog's problem behaviors. All of the common behavioral problems are dealt with in detail, and there's a great section on obedience commands and tricks too.