Dogs with separation anxiety get this from the stress of being left home alone. These dogs are afraid of you not coming back for them. They get nervous, and urinate in the house, become wildly destructive, bark excessively or howl until you come home again. These behaviors can lead to more serious dysfunctions.

The best way to get rid of separation anxiety is to understand your dog. Dogs are pack animals and in the wild they are rarely alone. They always have other dogs around them, whether they be hunting, eating, or sleeping. A single dog in your home will be perplexed, as every part of them screams out to be with you at all times but they can't because of your schedule.

If you can help it. It is better to stop separation anxiety before it even happens. It's easier to do this when you have adopted a puppy, but either way it is still very possible to break them of this uncontrollable issue.

All people have a certain routine they follow to ready themselves. Whether we notice or not we have a set routine for when we leave everyday, and your dog does pick up on this. The know that after you shower, you put on your shoes, and you grab the keys they are about to be left home alone once again. While you're getting all this done the anxiety is building up in your poor dog.

An easy way to deal this anxiety is to break up your routine and switch things up a bit. Instead of immediately taking a shower before work, take a second to jingle your keys a bit. If you simply do things in a different order, your dog will think that everything is alright and that you won't be leaving again. Your routine will be broken up and it won't be the big deal that it used to be.

Most make a big show of when they are leaving. They give their dog a farewell hug or give them long goodbyes. You may think this helps them since you are going to be gone for such a long time. That giving them a little love will last them until you get home. This isn't the case. Your dog is only alerted to the fact that they are going to be left home all alone. So instead try to sneak out when they aren't looking.

Another option that may work better for those who crate their dogs when they're left alone is to crate the dogs for short periods throughout the day when you are home. In doing so, you are letting your dog know that being crated is nothing to be excited about and this will lessen their anxiety when they need to be crated for longer periods.

All in all, always remember that your dog picks up on cues that you give them - even when don't mean to. Dogs enjoy the security of a routine, but a routine that leads up to something they do not like - such as separation from their owner- can give them anxiety. By breaking things up and modifying your daily routine, your dog will begin to more easily accept separation.