Separation Anxiety In Dogs: Getting It Sorted Out

31 Jan 2010

31 Jan, 2010 Dog Health

Separation anxiety in dogs is a frequent and worrying problem but one that is usually successfully beaten. You might have heard the term but wondered what, exactly, is separation anxiety and how can we identify it in dogs?

Getting left on your own is 1 of the most traumatic ordeals a small kid can encounter. Probably you are able to think back to when you used to be young and felt with out your loved ones for a short time. The frequent reaction for a child is always to begin to cry. It is usually a hard experience. The fear of being on your own isn’t solely felt by humans. Dogs, specially, can suffer a similar psychological trauma while left alone in the house or garden.

Dogs are pack animals and, for that reason, naturally sociable. A dog’s very first attachment in life is with its mother who will feed and nurture it as well as, to a smaller extent it’s father as well as siblings which make up it’s pack. After the dog family attachment is broken, the dog quickly supplants it’s loyalty and pack mentality onto its owner.

Similar to a kid, each time a dog is left behind by its “pack” it could become exceptionally upset. This emotional response may manifest itself in lots of ways. This phenomenon is called ‘Separation Anxiety’. Some indications of separation anxiety in dogs can consist of the following:

• Excessive barking as well as whining when on it’s own

• Defecation and urination in the home.

• Chewing furnishings and stuff like shoes

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Over or under eating

• Aggression or despression symptoms if about to be left on it’s own

• Unusual demeanor – jumping, pacing, panting etc

You can get several breeds which experts claim exhibit a marked predisposition to separation anxiety. Weimaraners, Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, and Airedales are usually all dog breeds that suffer typically although it has to be said that any specific breed of dog can develop separation anxiety. Veterinarians and dog breeders observe that it can be frequent in dogs which were separated away from their mothers far too early. Additionally , it is usually frequent in dogs which have had several owners in early life as well as in dogs which have spent time inside a dog refuge. Elderly dogs too can acquire separation anxiety following a big change in their environment. Perhaps a divorce has decimated the pack or moving home also can bring on this affliction.

Having diagnosed the issue, what is usually done about it? There are two courses of action to consider. The path which is the proper one for you and your dog in reality depends on the severity of the problem.

An owner can work along with their pet to stop and basically eradicate these types of anxieties through applying a specialist and carefully planned behavior training program. An owner could visit a practitioner in canine behaviour or, even more conveniently, find a professional dog training course on the net to download and study.

The other course of action is to see a veterinary surgeon and have them prescribe anti-anxiety pills. This really is seriously only advisable in serious situations or where behaviour training has been ineffective. The veterinarian will most probably recommend selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) that will alter the way in which your dog thinks and acts. They have quite few, minor side affects.

Whichever course of action is decided upon, it is crucial that you get to the root in the issue and get it sorted out sooner instead of later. Both dog and owner shall be happier when the stress and anxiety is effectively overcome.

This article about was written by Edward G Foden and Barry Rodgers. There are superb dog training courses available which cover separation anxiety in dogs at www.poochdogs.com

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