9 ideas to help if your dog exhibits panic, separation anxiety-related behavior

ORLANDO, Fla. — With vaccination rates increasing and new case numbers decreasing, offices are calling more and more employees back to the office.

That means there’s a whole lot of dogs staying home alone for the first time in more than a year.

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If your pup is having a hard time adjusting and exhibiting panic or separation anxiety-related behavior, pet behavioralist Lorena Patti recommends these nine tips to help:

1. Understand this is not your fault or the dog’s. A range of anxiety disorder affects up to 40% of dogs taken to veterinary behaviorists in North America alone.

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2. Do not punish anxiety-driven behavior.

3. Be kind to your dog; dogs crave reassurance.

4. Be patient with your dog in this process.

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5. Hire a pet sitter to stay with, or regularly check in on, your dog when you’re away.

6. When possible, keep your dog out of “alone distress” stimulating situations.

7. Don’t leave the dog at home for longer than it can handle.

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8. Begin to leave your dog at home for small increments of time and build from there.

9. The most effective step: Work with a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, who can coach you in developing and following the right evidence-based treatment plan for your dog.

For additional resources on the subject, click here.

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