Separation Anxiety
Essentially, separation anxiety is the fear of
being left alone. Separation anxiety behaviors only happen when your dog
is left alone and usually begin within 20–45 minutes after you leave
him. The typical age that separation anxiety presents itself is 9 months
to 2 years, although separation anxiety becomes more common in older dogs
as their sensory world diminishes and they become increasingly dependent
on their owners.
Common separation anxiety behaviors include:
• Digging, chewing, and scratching
at doors or windows in an attempt to escape and reunite with you
• Howling, barking, and crying in an attempt to get you to return
• Urination and defecation - even with housetrained dogs - as a
result of distress
• Vomiting, salivation, and diarrhea
• Destroying household objects
• Clinginess or remaining close to you, even following you from
room to room, while you're home
• Showing signs of restlessness or depression as you prepare to
leave
• Greeting you excessively upon your return home
• Loss of appetite or overeating while you are away
Punishing a dog for separation anxiety behaviors will
not solve the problem. You should understand that your dog is not misbehaving
intentionally. He is distressed and anxious because you are not there.
This anxiety and nervous energy causes him to act out. By the time you
return home to discover what he's done, he will no longer be capable
of comprehending what he is being punished for. Punishing separation anxiety
behaviors can actually increase his anxiety.
What causes separation anxiety?
What causes separation anxiety? No ones knows exactly. However, certain
risk factors and triggers are common among separation anxiety cases. They
include:
• A change in schedule that requires
the pet to be left alone for longer periods of time than normal.
• Living in multiple homes or being abandoned by previous owners
makes dogs especially susceptible to separation anxiety.
Although any dog is susceptible to separation anxiety, it is more common
in long-nosed, shepherding dogs, bred for herding and guarding, as well
as Spaniels and Setters. Dogs with separation anxiety tend to be lean
or thin and have periodic digestive disturbances. Almost 10–15%
of dogs exhibit symptoms of separation anxiety.
Here are some commonly recommended ways to treat
separation anxiety:
• Place the dog in a smaller space,
like a crate, where they can feel secure when you leave. However, if the
dog panics when crated, do not force him in.
• Leave your dog with an article of clothing that smells like you,
such as an old t-shirt that you recently slept in.
• Teach your dog as many commands as possible, especially “sit,”
“relax” and “stay.” The point of teaching anxious
dogs to relax is to give them confidence. Do the exercise in all rooms
of the house and in the yard. Give praise and treats liberally.
• Place the dog in a room that is not easily destroyed. Give him
some of his toys and stay with him a while. Then leave, and shut the door
promptly. When you return, give him a treat and pat him affectionately.
Repeat this over many days, each time staying gone a little longer.
• Determine what clues your dog picks up on that means you are leaving—picking
up keys or a purse, putting on your shoes, etc. Repeat these clues frequently,
but do not actually leave. Give your dog a treat and praise him when he
behaves well. When you have made progress, make your real departures quick
and quiet.
• Do not make a big production of your departures. Try leaving through
a back or side door. Even take your dog for a walk or jog an hour or so
before leaving. Give them 20 minutes to calm down before you leave.
• As a last resort, your veterinarian can prescribe SSRIs (Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) which are anti-anxiety medicines to treat
your dog's separation anxiety. Medication is a temporary solution and
should be used in conjunction with behavior modification therapy as described
above.
• A word of caution: getting your pet a companion animal will not
cure separation anxiety.
