How to Help Your Dog with Separation Anxiety

One of the most common frustrations of dog owners is that their pup can be destructive when they are gone. It is possible that there are behavioral issues that need to be addressed, but it could also be because they are experiencing separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is a condition in which dogs suffer severe mental or emotional distress when separated from their owner or primary attachment figure. Even if you wanted to, you can’t be home at all times, so here are a few tips, and a couple of products that can help to reduce separation anxiety for your dog when you are gone. As always, check with your vet to make sure nothing is going on medically first.

1

Try a ThunderEase Calming Collar

  • The ThunderEase Calming Collar is Powered by Adaptil, the #1 Vet Recommended Solution to reduce separation anxiety in dogs
  • ThunderEase mimics the pheromones a mother dog produces when she is nursing her puppies, which helps dogs to feel more comfortable and calm
  • Your dog's natural body heat will activate the calming pheromones, which will keep them calm all day long
2

Exercise Your Dog Before You Leave

  • A tired dog will have less energy to get into trouble, and may even just nap while you are gone
  • Wrap up your exercise session at least 30 minutes before you leave so they have time to calm down
3

Try to Take the Emotion Out Of Leaving and Arriving

  • Often times, dogs emulate your feelings, so if you make a big deal about leaving, they also think it is a big deal
  • If your dog jumps on you when you get home, try to ignore them by turning your back
  • Once they have calmed down, greet them calmly
4

Give Your Dog a Special Treat Before You Leave

  • You could try a bone, or chew toy
  • This can help to keep them occupied, and not as aware that you aren’t there
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SUCCESS STORIES

"ThunderEase has made a world of difference! Our rescue would bark and scratch at the door from separation anxiety. Two weeks into using ThunderEase, he is calm and quiet!"

Sandi
DOG OWNER

"Amazing product! This has helped my dogs who suffer with separation anxiety. Our Vet recommended it. We are so happy that we discovered this product, it really has helped our pets! We will make sure we never run out!"

HKL
DOG OWNER

"I am so thankful for this ThunderEase! I have a chiweenie that has major separation anxiety. With ThunderEase, he can actually relax and sleep when we aren't home!"

Shahri
DOG OWNER

Experience a Whole New Calm

How to Help Your Dog with Separation Anxiety?

If you return home to find that your dog has destroyed anything or eliminated in the house, DO NOT yell at them or punish them in any way. This only increases their anxiety and will make the problem behavior worse.



If all of the above approaches fail to adequately address your dog's separation anxiety, be sure to speak with your veterinarian or seek out assistance from a board certified Veterinary Behaviorist. You can find one at www.dacvb.org

Here are a few signs that could indicate your dog is experiencing separation anxiety:

  • Urinating and defecating in the house (if they don’t normally)
  • Chewing, digging, and overall destruction (especially to windows and doors)
  • Escaping / running away
  • Other behavior problems can result in these signs as well so if you are unsure if your dog has separation anxiety, speak with your veterinarian.

If the separation anxiety is new, here are a few things that could have caused your dog to develop separation anxiety

  • Change in owner
  • The loss of a family member 
  • Change in schedule
  • New home