Separation anxiety describes the situation where your dog panics even before you leave the house and remains in this state until you return. During this stressful time, it is common for your dog to soil the house, chew around areas where you usually come and go, howl in misery or pant, shake and drool.
To put it into perspective, it is similar to the panic attacks experienced by humans; it is a significant emotional problem but one which, with the right type of training, can be curable.
There is no simple answer as to what triggers a dog to develop separation anxiety as each case is entirely unique. However, it is generally thought that over-attachment and frustration intolerance are two of the most significant factors. Separation anxiety is more common in dogs that have experienced previous trauma related to being alone. This might explain why rescue dogs can be more susceptible. Being in kennels or left in an unfamiliar place surrounded by unfamiliar barking dogs who are often scared themselves can be a factor in why a dog becomes scared of being left alone.
The key to treating separation anxiety involves desensitising the dog to the ‘triggers’ it associates with you leaving the house and helping it to develop a tolerance of you being away. This can be a long process but one you will both be able to manage with the right support and advice. There is plenty of specific advice on the various techniques you can try in training books or on the internet. Please feel free to get in touch if you want to discuss this or for further advice.