Strategies to Reduce Chronic Stress in Dogs with Separation Anxiety
Chronic stress in dogs can have profound impacts on their overall well-being. Continuous exposure to anxiety inducing triggers can lead to long-term emotional instability, weaken a dog’s immune system, cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea or loss of appetite, and exacerbate existing health conditions. Addressing chronic stress through appropriate interventions is crucial for improving these dogs' quality of life. Below are some recommended steps to take to reduce your dogs exposure to chronic stress when full behavior modification plans aren’t possible.
Visit the Vet
Behavior doesn’t happen in a vacuum; anxiety-related behavior concerns can often stem from or be influenced by underlying health issues or pain that goes undetected. One study has shown that up to 80% of behavioral challenges in dogs are related to pain. Additionally, veterinarians can provide valuable guidance and interventions with behavioral medications where appropriate to help alleviate chronic stress, further behavior modification, or manage separation-related behaviors.
Reduce Exposure to Alone Time
For a dog struggling with separation anxiety where absence suspension isn’t an option, working to reduce the amount of time the dog spends alone, in turn reducing exposure to chronic stress, is an important goal.
Create a Village: This can include hiring pet sitters, enlisting friends, family, and neighbors to stop in and check on your pup during the day, or utilizing doggy daycare or dog walking services. These interactions not only provide companionship but also offer physical and mental enrichment, which is crucial for reducing stress. While this may not eliminate 100% of alone time, minimizing it can reduce the cues for their dog's anxiety and reduce day-to-day chronic stress.
Meet Needs Before Alone Time
Dogs require both physical and mental enrichment to maintain well-being. When needs are adequately met, dogs are better equipped to handle periods of solitude with less anxiety. Exercise is not the sole answer but needs to be part of the plan.
Decompression Walks: In quiet spaces free of triggers.
Off-Leash/Long-Line Time: To run, sniff, and move their bodies freely.
Positive Social Interactions: With other dogs, people, or animals of the dog's choosing.
Species and Breed-Appropriate Enrichment: Digging, shredding, licking, swimming, running, etc.
Dog Sports and Training Classes: Encourage bonding time through activities.
Reduce Environmental Triggers at Home
A dog's safe space is supposed to be the place they call home. However, for dogs with separation anxiety, they often do not feel totally safe in the home for fear they may be left alone, which significantly influences chronic stress. Reducing other stressors in the environment to help your dog feel secure can lower overall stress levels and help them cope with alone time in the least stressful way possible.
Close Curtains/Add Window Film: To prevent reactions to outside triggers.
TV/Music/White Noise: To mask sounds coming from outside, especially for noise-sensitive dogs.
Create a Comfortable Environment: Ensure access to multiple comfortable resting places throughout the home instead of confinement with very little freedom of movement.
Monitor with Cameras: Watching your dog on camera to assess stress levels realistically and know when it might be time to get help.
Addressing chronic stress in dogs with separation anxiety requires a multifaceted approach. By visiting the vet, reducing exposure to alone time, meeting needs before alone time, and reducing environmental triggers at home, you can significantly improve your dog's quality of life. With empathy, patience, and consistent effort, you can help your dog feel more secure and reduce their chronic stress.
Then if and when you are ready, there are a variety of ways we can work together to further your dog’s comfort when alone. From a baseline assessment to further the discussion on ways to improve the day to day with your dog and start to work to change their emotional state around being alone to more intensive training plans to make comfortable alone time a reality! Reach out today to set up your complimentary discovery call!