Separation anxiety is one of the most prevalent problems that dogs develop. Categorized as an anxiety disorder, it is thought to be characterized by displays of intense panic exacerbated by being isolated from his owner(s).
For example, we recently witnessed this in a dog next door. The neighbor had been working away from him for a number of months, suddenly this changed and every morning when he left for work, the little dog would howl, wail, bark, jump and growl. He was very distressed for most of the day, to the point where I approached the neighbor and made him aware of it. It just was not fair on the dog.
Dogs are gregarious animals, pack animals and their needs are social. They naturally love to interact. It makes for a contented dog and a safe dog. Dog do not enjoy being alone for long.and particular dogs fair poorly compared to others.
Causes that are known to contribute to this emotional state:
Genetic predisposition of certain breeds towards anxiety and insecurity.This must be considered when choosing a breed especially if you expect to be away from the dog for periods of time. Some of these breeds include: Weimaraners, Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, and Airedales.
Dogs obtained from shelters, are at risk of developing separation anxiety. Most of these 'homeless dogs' have been exposed to serious trauma and often abandoned by their owners.They do not trust people and they fear that their new owner may harm them.
Puppies that were separated from their mothers and siblings prematurely are especially prone to separation anxiety. Pet-store puppies are a prime example of this. They are removed from their mothers extremely early (before 8 weeks), confined to a small area, in a pet store for 3 - 8 weeks. This premature weaning, combined with the lack of exercise and affection during their stay in the pet store, is psychologically damaging for them.
Neglect, is the primary cause of separation anxiety in dogs. If you are away from, more than present, in the life of your dog, separation anxiety is a likely outcome. What is the point of owning a dog, if you are not around to nurture him? Dogs require your company, attention and love, to remain healthy in every way. Just like people, they respond in kind.
Symptoms of separation anxiety are recognizable:
Your dog will sense when you are about to depart, learning and listening for the familiar habitual sounds of car keys, footsteps, door handles, as he slowly starts to become anxious. He may shadow your footsteps, while trembling, whining and barking. Some dogs even show aggression, in an attempt to halt their owners from leaving.
After you are gone, the anxious behavior quickly worsens and usually peaks within thirty minutes or so. As described earlier in our real life example, the dog may bark continuously, scratch, dig , jump at doors (an attempt to join you); chew property, mark and defecate, inside the home. In extreme scenarios, he might exhibit self abusive behavior, by licking or chewing his skin until it is sore, plucking out fur and displaying obsessive-compulsive behaviors e.g. spinning or tail-chasing. When you return, he will be overly excited, and leap about you in a frenetic manner, for quite some time.
This extended greeting is often a mistaken behavior. Most owners, do not realize that this exuberance, in fact, demonstrates the presence of a psychological disorder. Occasionally, owners unknowingly encourage their dog to get more and more excited upon their return by using a high pitched voice, leaping about with the dog and generally mimicking the behavior of the dog!
Are you guilty? Caution. Stop now! It is NOT helping the dog. Of course, we all love to show our dog how happy we are to have him in our life but your dog reads this as the only highlight in his day...and so the cycle repeats day after day until someone reports the dog to RSPCA or Noise Control. Now who wants that?
Don't despair however, there is hope, if you take a proactive approach. You can really make the difference.
Helpful and unhelpful owner behaviors:
Helpful:
Exercise your dog as much as possible. Really tire him. Ideally, if you expect to be away for a long time, exercise the dog more. For example, if you are leaving for work early in the day, leaving him by himself for at least four to six hours. Having a dog walker take him out during middle of the day is not enough. You really need to walk him for at least 30 minutes before you leave for work if possible. Think of the bonus here, you get exercise too
Distraction always works for children, why not dogs? Simply cook some marrow bones (purchased from a butchery), bake them for approximately 20 minutes until they are firm and crunchy. Cut them into smaller chewable pieces. Now hand him one about 10-15 minutes prior to leaving.It will ensure that he is busy and contented and less likely to focus on your departure.
Sooth your dog by leaving the radio or TV on (low volume) preferably with people talking.This works well as it soothes the dog.
Outlook; make sure the dog can see outside, so he does not feel confined.
Sensitize your dog to your pattern of leaving. Do not rush, rattle the car keys, brush your teeth, put a jacket on, and open the door. Then surprise him. Do not leave. Take a seat and just remain there for a bit. Repeat this until he is no longer reactive. When the dog remains calm, give him a reward and give him positive reinforcement. Finally, practice going out the door, returning immediately and repeating this again until there is no reaction. Build up to this progressively until you are able to leave the house without any signs of stress from him.
Unhelpful:
Making a fuss when he is upset. This may sound harsh but by attempting to soothe and comfort your dog you are doing more harm than good. It is only serving to reinforce his anxiety. Make sure do not display your true feelings otherwise the dog will know. It is okay, to say 'good boy' when he is upset!
If you are interested in obtaining further information about how to deal with your dog's separation anxiety and learn how to deal constructively with your dog's behavior problems, then go to this website URL http://www.taketheleaddogtrainer.com or the link below: |
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