Think about your dog’s December for a second. The kids are home all day, and there’s always somebody on the couch with a blanket and a plate of leftovers. Your dog basically has a lap on call around the clock.
Then the first Monday of January rolls around. Alarms go off and lunch boxes get packed. Then the front door clicks shut, and your dog is standing in a very quiet house wondering where everybody went.
Plenty of dogs handle it fine. They sigh, flop down on the rug and sleep until the school bus comes back. But some dogs really struggle with the switch.
You might come home to a chewed-up door frame. Or the neighbor might mention that your sweet boy howled for most of the morning. If that sounds familiar, don’t panic.
A bit of prep over the holiday break can make January a lot less scary for your pup.
Why January Is So Hard on Some Dogs
Dogs pay close attention to our habits.
Yours probably knows the sound of your car before it even turns into the driveway. So when the holidays turn the household schedule upside down for two weeks and January flips it straight back, it can really throw them.
Going from nonstop company to a full day alone is one of the most common reasons dogs develop separation anxiety.
Puppies who showed up under the tree are especially prone to it, since they’ve never lived in a home where people leave each morning. Rescue dogs can have a hard time too. A lot of them are still figuring out that their new family always comes back.
Savanna Tolley from The Dog Wizard says:
“Training isn’t about teaching dogs our language. It’s about learning theirs. When owners understand how dogs process information, training becomes much more effective.”
So before you change anything, spend a little time watching your dog.
How to Spot Separation Anxiety
One shredded slipper doesn’t mean your dog has an anxiety disorder.
Bored dogs make their own fun, and a longer walk or a stuffed Kong usually sorts them out. Separation anxiety looks different. It’s panic.
Here’s what to look out for, especially in the first half hour after you leave:
- Non-stop barking or howling
- Scratching at the front door or the window frames
- Accidents from a dog who has been house-trained for years
- Panting and drooling even though the house is cool
Many anxious dogs also follow you from room to room. Some start to fret the moment you pick up your keys.
If you’re not sure what’s going on, film it. A pet cam works, but an old phone propped on the bookshelf does the job just as well.
It can be tough to watch. But you’ll learn more from 10 minutes of footage than from a week of guessing.
Use the Holiday Break to Practice
Your best window is the last week or so of December, while everyone’s still home.
Start by leaving for just five minutes. Take a lap around the block and come back in like it’s no big deal.
Over the next several days, stay out a little longer each time until you’re up to an hour or more. You want to walk back in before your dog gets worked up, so being alone always ends well.
A few days before school starts, do a full practice run.
Set the alarms and get everyone out the door at the real time. Your dog gets a preview, and you’ll find out which part of the morning is the toughest.
Keep your goodbyes short. We know it’s hard when those eyes are looking up at you!
But a big emotional send-off just winds your dog up. When you get home, wait until your dog calms down before you say hello.
Give your dog a cozy spot of their own, maybe a quiet bedroom or a crate they already like.
Toss in a worn T-shirt that smells like you. And try to fit in a good walk before you head out, so your dog is ready for a nap instead of a meltdown.
As Savanna Tolley from The Dog Wizard explains:
“Dogs dealing with separation anxiety benefit from controlled practice sessions where they learn that being alone is safe and predictable.”
Every calm return builds a little more confidence.
Let the Kids Help
Saying goodbye to the kids is usually the hardest part of your dog’s day. But kids also make great helpers, and most of them love having a real job.
Put one child in charge of filling a puzzle feeder each morning. It gets handed over right before everyone walks out, so the door closing comes with something tasty.
Make a family rule about goodbyes, too. No hugging the dog at the door and no long speeches.
Whoever gets home first can take the dog straight out to the yard before anyone grabs a snack or a tablet.
A chore chart on the fridge helps everyone remember whose turn it is. When the whole family does things the same way every day, your dog can finally relax.
A Few Things That Can Backfire
Even the most loving families slip into habits that make things worse.
Lots of us give our dog a big cuddle session right before leaving. It feels kind, but it makes the quiet afterwards feel even lonelier.
Rushing back inside the moment the barking starts is another one. Your dog learns that noise brings you home, so next time they bark louder.
Please don’t scold your dog for a mess you find at the end of the day. Your dog was scared, and getting in trouble just adds to that fear.
And try to ease into the new schedule if you can. Going from all day together to all day alone is a huge leap for any dog.
Leaving the radio on or buying a basket of new toys might help a dog who’s just bored. For a dog in real panic, they rarely make much difference on their own.
When It’s Time to Get Help
Sometimes a dog needs more than a better morning routine. If things keep getting worse, or your dog hurts themselves trying to get out, it’s time to call in someone with experience.
The same goes once the neighbors start bringing up the howling. Lots of devoted owners need a hand with separation anxiety, so please don’t feel bad about asking.
If your dog’s panic keeps growing even with a steady routine, structured dog separation anxiety training can get to the root of the problem.
A trainer will start by learning about your dog’s history and your family’s schedule. Then they’ll put together a step-by-step plan that everybody at home can follow.
It’s worth booking a vet visit as well, just to rule out anything medical. For severe cases, your vet might suggest medication to take the edge off while training does its work.
Here’s to a Calmer January
The holidays are about making happy memories, and your dog deserves to keep enjoying them after the decorations come down. Start practicing now, while the house is still busy.
Come January, your dog might just curl up on the couch and snooze until the school bus pulls up.
