Its the holiday season and many of us go home to spend time with family. Unfortunately sometimes, we have to leave our pets behind. Some pets get separation anxiety when they are apart from their owners. Some symptoms of separation anxiety includes excessive salivation, barking, whining, destroying items in the home, scratching at walls, doors and floors, and attempting to escape from the crate, or room. You pet may also demonstrate excessive clinginess or hyperactivity  when you are about to leave. They might also start over-grooming , over eat or under eat.

Start a program for desensitization or “flooding.” Flooding for separation anxiety would involved setting aside several hours on a weekend during which you enter and leave the home so often that you essentially wear the dog out. Leave home every few minutes, on a varying schedule, for a minute or two at a time then come back.  Be sure not to return while your dog is barking or howling, or else you will be rewarding her for that behavior.  If it’s impossible to walk out the door without your dog barking, you might have a friend remain in the home while you go in and out.  Desensitization for a dog with separation anxiety involves giving him/her your customary cues that you’re leaving – such as picking up your car keys, purse, or brief case, opening the coat closet, putting on your “work shoes/clothes” and so on – without actually leaving.

Other strategies that might help is  not to make a big production by hugging and cooing over  your pet before leaving. you can also walk or jog your dog an hour or so before you leave  and give them 20 minutes to calm down before you leave. you can also try leaving through a back  or side door. departures needs to be quiet and quick. Ask your veterinarian if  their symptoms persist.