There is an epidemic today amongst certain veterinarians and dog trainers.  They hear an owner say that their dog is destructive when they leave, chews up the couch, digs up the backyard, etc.  For many veterinarians and dog trainers their first response is “Oh no… Separation Anxiety!”  They figure that if the dog is being destructive while the owner is gone that it must be separation anxiety.  Their response is to load the dog up on anti-anxiety drugs and pills.  Many times they are shocked to see that the behavior still continues.  Or perhaps it doesn’t continue but the only reason it doesn’t is that the dog is so drugged and lethargic that he sleeps all day. 

Separation anxiety is a real, honest to goodness, disorder.  It is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.  The ‘wiring’ is a bit off and the dog is not able to process information and stress the way that a normal dog can.  Separation anxiety is actually quite rare.  If you were to read stats on anti-anxiety medication, though,  you wouldn’t believe it.  Vets are prescribing these meds by the bucket-full in hopes of changing dog behavior.  The problem is, if your dog doesn’t really have separation anxiety, it doesn’t help to medicate.

So what causes destruction if it isn’t separation anxiety?

Most dogs are destructive because they can.  Their owners are gone and they get bored.  Dogs by nature are prone to chew and dig, that is what dogs do.  A well trained dog understands that digging is not appropriate and that chewing should only be done on approved items.  A dog that hasn’t been properly conditioned to be alone and hasn’t been trained what is acceptable is likely to get destructive.  Separation anxiety?  No, simply a lack of training.

Other dogs are destructive out of anxiety, but not separation anxiety.  Remember, separation anxiety is an actual chemical disorder and is a real, physical problem.  Anxiety is simply feeling nervous because the owner is gone.  These are completely separate problems and should be treated as such.  If your dog is simply anxious about being alone your dog needs training, conditioning, and such to teach them how to be isolated for hours on end, not drugs.

How to know if it is separation anxiety

So even though most cases of separation anxiety are misdiagnosed there are still plenty of dogs with this disorder.  These are dogs who aren’t capable of being calm and under control on their own when left alone.  It is tough to diagnose but there are several signs that may tell you that your dog has separation anxiety.  Here are four main signs for diagnosing separation anxiety:

1- Destruction is localized around exit points.  You may find that the dog digs at the front door or chews off the door frame.  You may find that an outside dog digs incessantly next to the back door.  A dog with separation anxiety will often associate the exit point with the act of you leaving.  They will therefore focus on that area as an outlet for their stress.

2- The dog can’t calm down.  Many dogs will whine when their owners leave.  If the dog will whine, howl, and bark for eight hours straight while Mom or Dad are gone you may have a dog with separation anxiety.

3- Destruction is taken to the extreme.  A dog that is left in a crate may dig and bite at the door to the point where they rub their paws bloody.  An entire front door may be destroyed.  A bored dog may also do this so be careful with using this as a sole means of diagnosis.

4- Drool.  Dogs with separation anxiety may drool in excess.  Drooling is often caused by stress and if the dogs has separation anxiety he is very stressed.  If you come home to a pool of slobber this could be a sign of separation anxiety.

If your dog truly has separation anxiety the best course of action is proper medication mixed with behavior modification training.  Find a qualified trainer and a qualified vet to help you fix your dog’s problems.