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A newsletter dedicated to preserving the human-animal bond through behavior counseling.
July 2009
Volume 2, Issue 3
DON'T LEAVE
A Basic Guide to Separation Anxiety
Does your dog urinate or defecate when you leave home, but is otherwise house trained? Does he get extremely anxious when you get ready to leave? Does he destroy windows/doorways or objects when you are not at home? If your dog does any of these things, he could have separation anxiety.
Separation Anxiety can be caused by a number of things. One reason is something called hyperattachment. This is when your dog is so attached to you; he gets overwhelmed when you leave him. He will find any way possible to become reunited with you. Another reason is if there is a change in your dog’s routine or environment. As a dog age’s it can develop separation anxiety, as well. A traumatic experience of some sort occurring while you are away from home, like a thunderstorm for example, could also lead to separation anxiety.
There are numerous signs a dog with separation anxiety can exhibit. Signs that may be visible to you as you are getting ready to leave home include hyperattachment, pacing, circling, trembling, increased heart and respiration rates, an increase in activity, depression, and even aggression towards you as you are leaving. While you are away, your dog may become destructive, urinate, defecate, drool, and howl or bark. When a dog is destructive, he will generally demolish doorways or windows in an attempt to be reunited with his owner. Destructive dogs tend to hurt themselves in their escape attempt. They also will destroy personal belongings of the owner, not because they are mad, but because the owner’s scent is on these items and it makes them feel closer to their owner.
If your dog shows any of these signs, a thorough physical exam, medical workup and history will need to be completed prior to a diagnosis of separation anxiety. There are many underlying illnesses that can cause increased anxiety. After consulting with your veterinarian and determining there are no other reasons for your dog’s behavior, a behavior modification program can be designed for you and your dog.
So, your dog has separation anxiety. Now what? A behavior modification program will be tailored to your individual pet’s needs. Some dogs have mild separation anxiety, while others have a more severe form. It is critical to start treatment as soon as possible. The longer the anxiety goes on, the more difficult it is to get your dog to break the bad behaviors that developed. The program developed for your dog should produce a calm, independent dog while you are away.
The first step is to come up with a plan for when you are away from home. Ideally, your dog should not be left alone while going through the behavior modification program. Taking her to a doggy daycare or having a sitter come to the house would be best. Another option is using a crate for crate trained dogs. If your dog has never been crate trained, it is a very bad idea to start using one now. In this situation, you will want to keep them in a smaller room where they are unable to hurt themselves. In the meantime, you may slowly introduce the crate while you are at home. Ask for further details on crate introduction.
Exercise is very important even if your dog doesn’t have separation anxiety. Even if you have a large yard for your dog to run around in, they really need the mental stimulation they get from being off of the property. Taking you dog on at least one to two walks a day, even if they are only for 15 minutes, will give them some much needed exercise and stimulation.
If your dog has destroyed something or eliminated in the house while you were away, it is very important you do not scold or punish them. This will only increase their anxiety level, and make training that much more difficult. Also, if your dog is one that is always looking for attention, you must ignore this behavior. Your dog may get attention by working for it. Ask your dog to do basic commands, like sit or down, and then reward them with attention.
For hyperattached dogs, you will need to get them to feel comfortable away from you. You do this by practicing sit or down stays, and also by getting them to learn how to go to a mat or specific area of the house.
Your departures and greetings must be kept very low key. No talking, petting, or calming behavior on your part should be performed. Giving your pet a treat/toy reserved only for when you are away about 15 minutes prior to departure will help keep them distracted. When you arrive back home, you must ignore your pet until he has calmed down. Once calm, you may perform a real low key greeting.
You may have noticed that your dog’s anxiety goes up with certain aspects of your departure routine. It is critical to identify what you do in your routine that makes your dog’s anxiety level increase. Some examples are blow drying your hair, putting on your shoes, picking up your keys, or putting on your coat. Some dog’s also have anxiety when you leave through a certain door in the house, but are fine when you depart from a different door. Once you have recognized what departure cues make your dog upset, you have to habituate him to these things so they no longer cause an increase in anxiety. For example, you pick up your keys, but instead of leaving, you sit down on the couch. If your dog gets upset when you pick up your purse, you may decide to leave it in the garage, so that he doesn’t see you picking it up.
The use of pheromones(D.A.P. – available in diffusers, spray, and collars) may be beneficial as well. Pheromones are a naturally occurring substance that can act as a calming agent.
The above is all a really basic overview of what can be done if your dog has separation anxiety. A program must be tailored for your individual pet. What works for one dog will not work for the next. If you feel your dog has separation anxiety, please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss options. In extreme cases of separation anxiety, anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed along with the behavior modification program.
Prevention of separation anxiety is ideal. If you can anticipate schedule changes or changes in the household environment, you should gradually introduce your pet to these changes. For changes that can not be predicted, use positive reinforcement to make those changes as good and fun as possible.
Separation anxiety is a terrible disease for both you and your pet. Could you imagine having to go through life with that much anxiety? Working with your veterinarian and behaviorist can make you and your pet’s life much more enjoyable.
Pet Peeves Periodical is written by Amanda Henry, CVT.
E-mail: amandacvt@centurytel.net
RESOURCES
Overall, Karen L. Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals. Mosby, Inc, 1997
Landsberg, G., W. Hunthausen, and L. Ackerman. Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat. 2nd ed. Elsevier Science Limited, 2003
Horwitz, Debra F. and Jacqueline C. Neilson. Blackwell’s Five Minute Veterinary Consult Canine & Feline Behavior. Blackwell Publishing, 2007
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