As the summer holidays come to an end, families across the UK are getting ready for the new school term. School bags are being packed, uniforms are being prepared and the usual morning routine is returning. But while children may be excited to head back to school, your dog may find the change much harder.
During the holidays, your dog may have become used to having the family around for much of the day, enjoying extra walks, playtime and attention. When school starts again, the house can suddenly become quiet for several hours. For some dogs, this sudden change in routine can lead to stress and separation-related behaviour.
What Is Separation Anxiety? Separation anxiety is when a dog becomes distressed when they are left alone or separated from their owners. It can range from mild signs of worry to more serious anxiety. Some common signs include:
Barking, whining or howling when left alone
Pacing, panting or restlessness
Chewing furniture or scratching at doors
Toileting indoors
Trying to escape
Excessive drooling or trembling
Becoming anxious when you prepare to leave
Being extremely excited when you return
Start Preparing Before School Begins
The best way to help your dog is to make the transition gradually. If they’ve spent most of the summer with someone at home, suddenly being left alone for several hours can be overwhelming. Before the new term begins, introduce short periods of alone time and gradually build this up, provided your dog remains relaxed. Dogs Trust recommends increasing time alone slowly and reducing it again if your dog shows signs of anxiety.
It can also help to gradually return to your usual school-term routine. Adjust meal times, morning walks and bedtime so the change doesn’t happen all at once.
Make Alone Time Positive A good morning walk can give your dog the opportunity to exercise, explore and go to the toilet before everyone leaves. You could also provide a safe food toy, chew or puzzle to keep them occupied. Make sure any toy or chew is suitable for your individual dog, particularly if they haven’t used it before.
Creating a comfortable, familiar place where your dog can relax may also help. Some dogs settle better with quiet background noise, such as the radio.
However, enrichment isn’t a cure for separation anxiety. A highly anxious dog may be too distressed to eat or play while they are alone.
Keep Goodbyes Calm School mornings can be hectic, but try to keep your departure calm and predictable. Avoid lengthy goodbyes and simply make leaving part of the normal routine. If you return home to find your dog has chewed something or had an accident, don’t punish them. Separation-related behavior is generally a sign of distress rather than deliberate bad behavior, and punishment can increase anxiety.
It’s also important not to leave an anxious dog to simply “cry it out”. Training should be gradual, with the aim of helping your dog feel safe and confident when alone.
Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone for Too Long Not every dog will be comfortable being left for a full school day. The RSPCA advises that dogs should generally not be left alone for more than four hours, while puppies and dogs who struggle with separation may need considerably less time. If your dog can’t cope alone for several hours, consider asking a friend or family member to visit, arranging a dog walker or pet sitter, or looking into suitable doggy daycare.
This can be particularly helpful during the first few weeks of the new school term while your dog gets used to the change.
When Should You Speak to Your Vet? If your dog is showing persistent or severe signs of anxiety, speak to your vet. A change in behaviour can sometimes be linked to an underlying health problem, and your vet can advise on the most appropriate next steps. They may recommend working with a suitably qualified behaviour professional, particularly if your dog is becoming distressed within minutes of being left.
Helping Your Dog Settle Into the New Routine Going back to school doesn’t have to be stressful for your dog. By preparing in advance, introducing alone time gradually and keeping a consistent daily routine, you can make the transition much easier. Remember that separation anxiety isn’t your dog being naughty. They may simply be struggling with a significant change in their routine and the sudden loss of company.
With patience, understanding and the right support, you can help your dog feel more confident when the school bags come out, the front door closes and the family heads off for the day.
Back-to-School Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Helping Your Dog Adjust
As the summer holidays come to an end, families across the UK are getting ready for the new school term. School bags are being packed, uniforms are being prepared and the usual morning routine is returning.
But while children may be excited to head back to school, your dog may find the change much harder.
During the holidays, your dog may have become used to having the family around for much of the day, enjoying extra walks, playtime and attention. When school starts again, the house can suddenly become quiet for several hours. For some dogs, this sudden change in routine can lead to stress and separation-related behaviour.
What Is Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is when a dog becomes distressed when they are left alone or separated from their owners. It can range from mild signs of worry to more serious anxiety.
Some common signs include:
The best way to help your dog is to make the transition gradually. If they’ve spent most of the summer with someone at home, suddenly being left alone for several hours can be overwhelming.
Before the new term begins, introduce short periods of alone time and gradually build this up, provided your dog remains relaxed. Dogs Trust recommends increasing time alone slowly and reducing it again if your dog shows signs of anxiety.
It can also help to gradually return to your usual school-term routine. Adjust meal times, morning walks and bedtime so the change doesn’t happen all at once.
Make Alone Time Positive
A good morning walk can give your dog the opportunity to exercise, explore and go to the toilet before everyone leaves.
You could also provide a safe food toy, chew or puzzle to keep them occupied. Make sure any toy or chew is suitable for your individual dog, particularly if they haven’t used it before.
Creating a comfortable, familiar place where your dog can relax may also help. Some dogs settle better with quiet background noise, such as the radio.
However, enrichment isn’t a cure for separation anxiety. A highly anxious dog may be too distressed to eat or play while they are alone.
Keep Goodbyes Calm
School mornings can be hectic, but try to keep your departure calm and predictable. Avoid lengthy goodbyes and simply make leaving part of the normal routine.
If you return home to find your dog has chewed something or had an accident, don’t punish them. Separation-related behavior is generally a sign of distress rather than deliberate bad behavior, and punishment can increase anxiety.
It’s also important not to leave an anxious dog to simply “cry it out”. Training should be gradual, with the aim of helping your dog feel safe and confident when alone.
Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone for Too Long
Not every dog will be comfortable being left for a full school day. The RSPCA advises that dogs should generally not be left alone for more than four hours, while puppies and dogs who struggle with separation may need considerably less time.
If your dog can’t cope alone for several hours, consider asking a friend or family member to visit, arranging a dog walker or pet sitter, or looking into suitable doggy daycare.
This can be particularly helpful during the first few weeks of the new school term while your dog gets used to the change.
When Should You Speak to Your Vet?
If your dog is showing persistent or severe signs of anxiety, speak to your vet. A change in behaviour can sometimes be linked to an underlying health problem, and your vet can advise on the most appropriate next steps.
They may recommend working with a suitably qualified behaviour professional, particularly if your dog is becoming distressed within minutes of being left.
Helping Your Dog Settle Into the New Routine
Going back to school doesn’t have to be stressful for your dog. By preparing in advance, introducing alone time gradually and keeping a consistent daily routine, you can make the transition much easier.
Remember that separation anxiety isn’t your dog being naughty. They may simply be struggling with a significant change in their routine and the sudden loss of company.
With patience, understanding and the right support, you can help your dog feel more confident when the school bags come out, the front door closes and the family heads off for the day.