In my last article, I talked about the causes of separation anxiety in dogs and exposed popular myths about it.
Today, I'm going to share with you some practical tips for treating separation anxiety and helping your stressed German Shepherd dog.
Is it Separation Anxiety or Boredom?
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Separation anxiety is an umbrella diagnosis for dogs who display anxious or problematic behaviors—like constant barking, urinating in the house, or destructive chewing—when left alone or separated from the person to whom they are most attached. It can be triggered by sudden changes in schedule that result in family members being away from home more than the dog has become used to.[1]
Now imagine for a moment that you are at home, alone, and not allowed to do anything for fun...
No hobbies, no screen time, no internet, no Netflix, no lounging by the pool...
How bored would you be?
Yes, I know, I would be bored out of my mind too!
Well, it's the same with our dogs.
If we leave them with a tank full of energy and no way to release it, stuffing any vocalization or destructive behavior up to separation anxiety would be a mistake.
If you're not sure if the unwanted behavior is related to separation anxiety or boredom, set up a camera so you can watch a blow-by-blow replay.
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How to Treat Separation Anxiety in a Dog?
Your dog is afraid of being left alone - and you probably already know that this is a puppy parent's worst nightmare!
It's a life-altering nightmare, a nightmare for the soul. And it's agonizing and dangerous for your dog.
If you've read this far, you're looking for solutions to treat separation anxiety in a dog. In this section, I'll present ten tools you can use to relieve your dog's distress and teach him that it's safe to be alone.
It is worth mentioning that the most effective approach is to use a combination of these tools to achieve your ultimate goal of a happy, calm dog that can be left alone if necessary.
How to Stop Separation Anxiety in Dogs?
TIP#1 - Training: Gradual Desensitization
In my opinion, positive training without force is the most effective method for dealing with separation anxiety.
Regardless of what other techniques you choose to use, desensitization and counter-conditioning training should be your foundation.
And I'm not the only one...
In this study of 8 dogs, this training not only reduced problem behaviors but, for some dogs, eliminated them.
This training proved so powerful...
These researchers found that even when the training was applied "haphazardly" by owners (not professionals), it successfully treated separation anxiety behaviors.
What is Gradual Desensitization?
This type of training is based on a similar technique used to treat phobias in humans. It was adapted to dogs in the 1960s and 1970s and was initially used in a case study of three dogs.
Keep in mind that this is not about "flooding" a dog to the point of panic. It is a slow and systematic way to expose a dog to the fear trigger (being alone) while ensuring that he does not experience a fear response at any stage of training.
TIP#2 - Training: Counterconditioning
The Counterconditioning Method is a training technique that goes hand in hand with Gradual Desensitization.
In fact, in this study on canine fear and phobias conducted on 247 dogs, the combination of desensitization and counter-conditioning was successful in 100% of the subjects in the study.
And interestingly, calming medications were specifically avoided in this study. This shows the power of this combination of desensitization and counterconditioning.
In short, counterconditioning is a tactic to help dogs change their feelings about something scary. In this case, the scary thing is left alone.
This tactic involves associating a scary stimulus (you are preparing to leave) with something your dog finds pleasant, such as food.
TIP#3 - Music
If you've ever wondered if music can affect your dog, you'll be interested to consider music as a technique for alleviating separation anxiety.
And believe it or not, science can back it up...
In a study of two groups of kennel dogs exposed to music for 7 days. The dogs were exposed to a fixed classical playlist for 6.5 hours per day.
The results of this auditory stimulation showed changes in the dog's heart rate variability (HRV). This is an indication of stress reduction.
And the behavioral data collected showed some surprising results...
Dogs exposed to the classic playlist spent less time standing or barking. Instead, they spent more time sitting, lying down, and being quiet.
In another study, the effects of different genres of music (Soft Rock, Motown, Pop, Reggae, and Classical) were studied on 38 kennel dogs over 5 days.
It was found that the dogs spent more time engaging in calm behaviors, such as lying down while music was playing. It was also found that dogs were more likely to bark once the music stopped, regardless of gender.
The HVR showed a significant stress reduction when Soft Rock and Reggae were played. With less effect when Motown, Pop and Classical music was played.
Regardless of the different responses, the researchers found that behavioral and physiological changes remained stable over the five days.
And this study explored 5 types of auditory stimulation (human conversation, classical music, heavy metal music, pop music, and silence) on 50 shelter dogs.
It revealed that the dogs' vocalization and activity were significantly influenced by the type of auditory stimulation.
Classical music caused the dogs to spend less time standing and more time resting. In addition, dogs were significantly quieter than any other type of auditory stimulation.
Heavy metal music, on the other hand, encourages dogs to spend more time barking.
It is interesting to mention that in all of these studies, the dogs became accustomed to the music fairly quickly. So clearly, a long playlist with several hours of music should be your goal.
That being said, these three studies should be enough to convince you that music is a powerful technique when it comes to separation anxiety.
While my dogs do not suffer from separation anxiety, they are sensitive to loud noises. And if they get nervous or irritated enough by the noise, they tend to bark, especially Lexi. So I expose them to music frequently.
The times I find music most helpful to them is when I'm away from home for more than a few hours. Or when one of the neighbors is using electrical techniques. And of course, when there are fireworks.
TIP#4 - The Thundershirt Jacket
If you don't already know, moderate to deep pressure does wonder for calming animals and humans. Just look at the work of Temple Grandin (who has autism) and her "cuddle box."
Temple designed this pressure device to calm her hypersensitivity when she saw how tight cattle chutes calmed the cattle on her aunt's ranch.
At this point, if you're wondering what all this has to do with your dog's separation anxiety, that's where the Thundershirt comes in...
The Thundershirt works by applying gentle pressure to your dog's body in a strategic way. This pressure reduces the fight-or-flight response in anxious dogs, thereby lowering their panic level.
The Thundershirt was originally designed to help noise-sensitive dogs. But it has proven to be very effective in treating everything from separation anxiety to travel anxiety to visits to the vet.
And the manufacturer claims a success rate of over 80%. To support this claim, a study conducted by Temple Grandin herself to investigate the effect of the Thundershirt yielded encouraging results.
The study involved 90 dogs that had been diagnosed with separation anxiety or generalized anxiety disorder.
The group was a mix of small and large breeds. As well as pure and mixed breeds, with breeds ranging from Terriers, Herding, Toy to non-sporting groups and hounds.
The dogs were divided into three groups: Group 1 wore the Thundershirt according to the manufacturer's specifications, Group 2 wore the Thundershirt loose. And Group 3 did not undergo any pressure intervention.
Here is a brief overview of the study results...
Reduced Heart Rate
The researchers found that dogs in Group 1 experienced a significant reduction in both average and maximum heart rate, compared to Groups 2 and 3.
Reducing Stress-Related Behaviors
Gate orientation is considered a stress behavior exhibited by dogs with separation anxiety. Interestingly, only 53% of the dogs in Group 1 made a beeline for the door when their owner left, compared to 67% in Group 2 and 90% in Group 3.
Group 1 dogs also showed less tongue licking and yawning, which are also considered stress-reducing behaviors. And there were fewer episodes of inappropriate elimination in this group.
Overall, the results showed that dogs who wore the Thundershirt according to specifications had lower heart rates and less visual orientation to the door. And there was a trend toward less stress-related behaviors such as tongue licking and yawning.
While this is a small study, I think the results show the benefits of using Thundershirt as a technique for treating separation anxiety in dogs.
And the fact that the company offers a full refund if you are not satisfied shows that they stand behind their product 100%.
Thundershirts come in sizes ranging from xx-Small to xx-Large. However, since the effectiveness of this jacket relies on a snug fit, I recommend that you consult the size guide and measure your dog's chest.
You can find the Thundershirt on Amazon
TIP#5 - Soothing Scents
Your dog's sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more accurate than yours. Alexandra Horowitz, a dog recognition researcher at Barnard College, makes the following comparison...
If you notice one teaspoon of sugar in your coffee, your dog can detect one in a million liters of water!
So it stands to reason that using scent as a tool to calm our dogs when they are anxious is worth a try.
And science has something to add to this theory...
In this study, 55 shelter dogs were exposed to 4 different scents for 4 hours a day, over 5 days. Lavender, chamomile, rosemary, and peppermint scents were used.
The dogs' behavior was recorded on the first, third, and fifth days. But it was the behaviors recorded from the lavender and chamomile exposure that showed the most promise for dogs with anxiety...
The lavender and chamomile scents were particularly positive and resulted in more relaxed behaviors. Dogs exposed to these scents spent less time moving around and more time resting. And the researchers also noted less vocalization than with other scents.
In the next study, 15 shelter dogs were exposed to scents of coconut, vanilla, valerian, and ginger. They were exposed to each scent for 2 hours a day, for 3 days with a 2-day break between each scent.
And although this was a small study, the results were dazzling...
Ginger, coconut, vanilla, and valerian scents lead to a significant decrease in vocalization and movement. While ginger and coconut scents also increased the dogs' sleep.
These two studies alone are encouraging for any puppy parent looking for tools to treat separation anxiety in their dog.
Essential oils are powerful and should be diffused rather than applied directly.
How to properly diffuse scents for your dog
The best way to diffuse calming essential oils for your dog is with a diffuser.
Safety precautions:
I recommend never running the diffuser continuously. And always run it with the lowest possible mist production. Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. And always make sure there is enough ventilation.
TIP#6 - Food Toys
This tool goes hand in hand with the counter-conditioning training we discussed earlier.
Filling a toy with food that your dog considers valuable is the perfect way to implement this training.
And by putting it in the freezer a few hours in advance, you ensure that your dog has to make an effort to extract the delicious distraction.
You decide how you fill the toy and what your dog likes. Something like organic peanut butter and mashed bananas works well.
Of course, the toy you choose should be strong enough to withstand the shock of being chewed, so consider something like this toy. It's great for stuffing and keeps very well in the freezer.
TIP#7 - Dog Appeasement Pheromones (DAP)
Some dogs benefit from the calming effect of dog calming pheromones or DAPs. They work by mimicking the pheromones released by a healing dog.
The pheromones are released through a specially designed diffuser or collar. In both cases, they last about a month before needing to be recharged or replaced.
I included the DAP in this list of tools because some dogs benefit from this method. Although scientific studies have found conflicting results from experiments.
This study showed that the use of DAP resulted in an overall improvement in 10 hospitalized dogs. The dogs showed fewer signs of alertness and there was a decrease in inappropriate elimination and lip licking compared to the control group.
However, this study found no significant differences in stress-related behaviors between the baseline and treatment periods.
Finding tools that work to help your dog cope with separation-related behaviors is a process of elimination. Some people may find DAP to be a treat for their dog. Other dog parents will not get the same results.
TIP#8 - Calming Supplements
If you are like me and want to treat your dog in the most natural way possible, you should consider calming supplements.
Calming supplements developed specifically for dogs are usually a mixture of amino acids, vitamins, and other natural ingredients.
Here is a brief description of these products, with some scientific evidence to support it...
Thiamine
Thiamine is better known as vitamin B1. Thiamine is a coenzyme that has many health benefits for the heart, nerves, and brain function.
But in these calming shots, thiamine is there to boost mood and prevent depression and, especially, anxiety.
Nine people with generalized anxiety disorder and low blood thiamine levels experienced very positive results after being treated with 100 mg of thiamine.
Not only did their anxiety scores and overall well-being improve. These patients were also able to stop taking anti-anxiety medications and beta-blockers.
Organic chamomile
Chamomile is a plant in the daisy family that is fairly well known for its positive effects on sleep.
And while there have only been a few studies on its effect in generalized anxiety disorder, the results are promising.
This study showed that chamomile significantly reduced the symptoms of anxiety disorders. However, it did not appear to reduce the rate of relapse.
But since the study also showed that long-term use of chamomile is safe, it is an excellent alternative for dogs with separation-related problems.
Valerian root
Valerian is a flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. It is known as "nature's valium".
There are not many studies on the effects of valerian root on anxiety. Although it is frequently used to treat insomnia.
Because of the mechanism of action of valerian root, researchers believe that it increases levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA in the brain. This has a calming effect on the body.
It has a similar effect to powerful anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines. But without all the unpleasant side effects.
Organic Passionflower
The medicinal power of Passionflower began with the indigenous peoples of America. And today it is known for its natural calming effect.
There is good evidence to support the belief that Passionflower has powerful anxiety-relieving properties.
In this study of 36 human patients diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, Passionflower was studied alongside Oxazepam (a powerful benzodiazepine). It revealed that Passionflower is effective in treating anxiety.
Researchers also found that Passionflower did not impair patients' work performance as Benzodiazepine did.
But if you're worried that Passionflower will turn your dog into a zombie, don't be...
In this study of 60 pre-op patients, Passionflower reduced anxiety without causing sedation.
Organic ginger root
I mentioned earlier a study that showed that diffusing the scent of ginger reduced movement and vocalization and also increased sleep in dogs.
Well, this study on 60 female mice showed that ginger was an effective replacement for diazepam (Valium) to treat anxiety-related symptoms.
TIP#9 - Professional Behaviorist
If you have exhausted all your other options and your dog's separation behaviors are not improving, it may be time to seek professional training.
Contact a licensed veterinary behaviorist or separation anxiety specialist. You can also contact your dog's veterinarian for additional advice.
TIP#10 - Medication
Although I mentioned that I am the type of person who tries to avoid the use of medication to treat my dogs, I added medication as a tool with a caveat...
These drugs are extremely powerful and have serious side effects.
Conventional drugs can in some cases be a useful tool, especially if your dog's stress behaviors put him in physical danger.
Short-term medications can be useful at first to teach your dog that he is safe and can be left alone.
But, in my opinion, it should be considered a temporary measure. And always used in conjunction with desensitization and counter-conditioning training.
Of course, any medication must be prescribed by your dog's veterinarian. And that your dog should be carefully monitored by a qualified veterinarian.
In Conclusion
If you've made it this far, you know that separation anxiety can develop in any dog. You know that it's not your fault and that your dog is not "resentful" but rather genuinely panicked when you leave.
How to treat separation anxiety in a dog is not rocket science, but it does take patience, commitment, and a process to find the right tools for your dog.
But luckily, the most important thing you've learned is that there are a lot of great tools and training techniques you can use to help your dog overcome his fear of being alone.
[1] How Separation Anxiety Might Impact Your Dog When You Return to Work (akc.org)
