Introduction
It’s common for dog owners to feel sad when they have to leave their pet home alone. There are several reasons why being separated from a beloved dog can cause feelings of sadness, including the strong bond formed between owner and pet. This article will explore the main factors that contribute to an owner’s sadness at leaving their dog, including pack mentality, fear of abandonment, boredom, and routine disruption. We’ll also discuss effective solutions to ease a dog’s transition to time alone. While leaving a dog home alone can be hard at first, there are ways to make separations less stressful for both owner and pet.
Pack Mentality
Dogs evolved to live in packs as social, group-living animals. They are descended from wolves, which developed in packs for survival. As domesticated pets, dogs still retain their pack mentality and social nature despite thousands of years of evolution from wolves (Source). For dogs, being with their human family fulfills their instinct to be part of a pack. Leaving dogs alone goes against this inherent need for companionship and group belonging. It disrupts their natural pack mentality developed over generations. While not literally wolves anymore, dogs still feel most secure and content when with their human “pack.”
Missing Their Person
Dogs form strong bonds and attachments with their owners. This is due to the fact that dogs are pack animals and view their human families as their pack (Konok, 2015). When separated from an owner, dogs can experience negative emotions like anxiety, stress, and fear. This is because they don’t understand the length or reason for the separation from their bonded human (Lenkei, 2021).
Research shows that a dog’s attachment to their owner does not necessarily correlate with separation anxiety. However, strong social attachment between a dog and owner can lead to distress when separated (Parthasarathy, 2006). This suggests that while attachment contributes, there are likely other factors involved in separation anxiety as well.
Fear of Abandonment
When dogs get very attached to their owner, they can end up suffering from separation anxiety when that person leaves. This is because dogs are pack animals that evolved to depend on the members of their pack for survival. As the ASPCA explains, being left alone triggers anxiety in dogs because they associate it with permanent abandonment (https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety).
Dogs that have been adopted from shelters or rescues may be especially prone to separation anxiety and fear of abandonment. As Houndslounge points out, many rescue dogs were abandoned by previous owners, so being left alone can bring up those fearful memories and make them worried they are being abandoned again (https://www.houndslounge.com/blog/how-to-minimize-your-rescue-dogs-separation-anxiety/). The sadness when owners leave comes from deep-seated worries about being abandoned permanently.
Boredom
Dogs left alone get bored without proper stimulation. According to the ASPCA, when dogs are left alone for long periods without activity or mental stimulation, they often become bored and restless [1]. This lack of mental stimulation can lead to sadness, anxiety and problematic behaviors like excessive barking or chewing.
According to the AKC, signs of boredom in dogs include pacing, whining, barking, destructive chewing, digging, and constantly seeking attention [2]. When left alone, dogs have no activities or diversions, leading them to focus on their loneliness and become distressed.
Providing toys, puzzles, and activities for mental stimulation is crucial for dogs’ wellbeing when left alone. Rotating their toys keeps things interesting and prevents boredom from setting in too quickly. Offering adequate exercise before leaving them also helps them feel tired and content when alone.
Routine Disruption
Changes to a dog’s routine when left alone can be a major trigger for separation anxiety and sadness. Dogs are creatures of habit and feel most secure when they can predict their daily schedule of walks, playtime, meals, and interactions with their owner. According to the ASPCA, “An abrupt change in schedule in terms of when or how long a dog is left alone can trigger the development of separation anxiety.”
For example, if a dog is used to their owner being home most days, and then suddenly the owner starts leaving for 8+ hours at a time, this disruption to the dog’s routine can be very stressful. The dog doesn’t understand why their person is suddenly gone for extended periods.
Researchers have found that the amount of time dogs are left alone impacts the likelihood of separation anxiety. A 2022 study published in PLoS ONE concluded, “Risk of separation anxiety in dogs increases with time left alone.” The study recommended limiting time alone to 4 hours or less per day to prevent separation distress.
In addition to longer departures, changes like moving homes, switching schedules, or introducing a new family member can also disrupt a dog’s routine and lead to separation stress. Maintaining consistent routines is key to a dog feeling secure and happy when left alone (ASPCA).
Lack of Exercise
Dogs require regular exercise and activity to stay happy and healthy. When left alone for extended periods, dogs miss out on opportunities to be active and release pent-up energy. According to the ASPCA, dogs should get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, such as running and swimming [1]. Without sufficient activity, dogs may become restless, anxious, or depressed.
Exercise provides dogs with mental stimulation and helps prevent boredom. It allows them to explore, socialize, and engage their natural instincts. Staying cooped up alone indoors deprives dogs of environmental enrichment. Lack of exercise can lead to behavioral issues like chewing, barking, hyperactivity, and aggression. Ensuring your dog gets adequate daily activity, especially right before you leave, can help reduce separation anxiety. Tired dogs are less likely to panic when left alone.
Effective Solutions
There are several effective ways to help ease separation anxiety in dogs when leaving them alone [1]:
- Give your dog plenty of exercise before you leave so they are tired and relaxed. Take them for a long walk or engage in active playtime. A tired dog is less likely to be stressed when left alone [1].
- Leave them with stimulating toys like food puzzles that will keep them engaged and distracted in your absence [2]. Kongs filled with treats or snuffle mats are great boredom busters.
- Establish a predictable routine so your dog knows what to expect. For example, take them for a walk, give them a food puzzle, tell them you’ll be back soon and then leave [2]. The consistency will be comforting.
- Give them a special treat or chew that they only get when left alone. This helps them associate your departure with something positive [2].
- Use calming aids like DAP diffusers, calming treats, or prescribed medications if anxiety is severe. But be sure to also implement behavior modification [1].
- Ignore excited behaviors before you leave and when you return. Remain calm and matter of fact [2].
- Consider doggie daycare a few days a week to provide socialization and activity [1].
With patience and consistency using these tips, separation anxiety can be greatly reduced so your dog remains relaxed and happy when home alone.
[1] https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs-separation-anxiety
[2] https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/behaviour/separationrelatedbehaviour/treatment
Prevent Boredom
Boredom is a major reason why dogs may feel sad when left alone. Dogs are social animals that crave regular interaction and activity. When their owner leaves, they lose their primary source of engagement. Without enough mental and physical stimulation to replace it, bored dogs may start to feel lonely, stressed or depressed.
Fortunately, there are many toys and activities that can keep your dog entertained for hours while you’re gone. Rotating toys is important so they don’t become boring. Interactive toys that make noise, move, or dispense treats are excellent for keeping your dog’s interest. Food puzzles that require effort and problem-solving also provide mental exercise. Try hiding treats around the house so your dog can seek them out.
Some specific entertaining and engaging toys for dogs home alone include:
- Food dispensing toys like Kongs or puzzle feeders
- Chew toys made of durable, edible materials
- Interactive toys like food-dispensing balls or automatic fetch machines
- Rotate stuffed toys to keep them interesting
Making sure your dog gets plenty of exercise before you leave can also help prevent boredom. Take them on a long walk, have a play session, or let them run around outside beforehand. Keeping your dog mentally and physically enriched will help them feel less sad when you have to go.
Sources: https://www.petsecure.com.au/pet-care/10-ways-keep-dog-entertained-youre-house/, https://www.tastybone.com/blog/5-ways-keep-your-dog-entertained-when-home-alone
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few key reasons why dogs may feel sad when left alone by their owner: separation anxiety, fear of abandonment, boredom without stimulation, and disruption of their daily routine. It’s important to have compassion for dogs experiencing these feelings, as they have evolved to form tight social bonds and crave companionship. With some simple solutions to prevent boredom and techniques to gradually get them used to alone time, most dogs can learn to become more independent. However, in severe cases of separation anxiety, consulting a veterinary behaviorist may be necessary. For any dog owners struggling with this issue, be patient and consistent with addressing it. Your dog’s happiness is worth the effort. This overview provides a helpful starting point, but there is still more to explore about canine psychology and reducing separation stress.