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Pawsitively Perfect Dog Behaviour: Separation Anxiety
Separation Anxiety in dogs manifests as dogs who are attached or dependent on family members in the extreme. These dogs become anxious and exhibit distress behaviours such as barking, destruction, soiling, apathy and self-injury. The greater the separation (in distance) the more anxious the dog becomes.
Owners of dogs suffering from separation anxiety may notice their dog follows them from room to room. They may crave constant physical attention, and are very demanding, often pushing or nosing their owners, pawing at them, to gain attention and petting.
During or just before separation dogs may began to pant and drool, salivating excessively. They can become destructive and vocal or witdraw and become very apathetic.
What to do when a Dog suffers from Separation Anxiety
Training a dog suffering separation anxiety is a long process. The goal is to reduce your pet's level of anxiety so that he feels comfortable when you are not there. Crate training may be necessary but be very cautious as this may cause further anxiety in your pet (Confinement anxiety, ) to the point where they seriously injure themselves attempting to get out of the crate.
Do not punish your dog if he soils himself or his crate or room while you are gone. Punishment for an act committed out of anxiety and not misbehaviour will only result in your pet becoming more anxious.
Excessive barking may be treated with anti-bark devices but the anxiety will remain
In the short run you may have to use tranquilizers or anti-anxiety medications to help alleviate the dog's anxiety until you have corrected the problem
Before Departure
- Provide a long session of play and exercise to relieve the dog's energy and provide attention
- Ignore the dog 15 to 30 minutes before you leave (you don't want to make a big deal of your departure!)
- Hopefully you have trained your dog to go to his rest area with a radio or tv playing so you can get ready out of the dog's sight
- Avoid as many departure signals as possible so your pet's anxiety doesn't increase
- Give the dog some new toys to keep it occupied so you can leave while it is distracted
- Do not say goodbye!
Coming Home
- Ignore your dog until he calms down. This may take 15 minutes or so
- Do not greet the dog excitedly, be calm and quiet
- Do not punish your dog for any misbehaviours he engaged in while you were away
Training Your Dog to Accept Gradual and Brief Separations
What do you do if your dog simply cannot accept a lengthy separation? You will have to train your dog gradually over time, starting with very brief absenses. You want to teach your dog to accept periods of inattention from you while you are home. You can start in the same room and gradually increase the length of time you ignore your dog and he remains quietly on his mat or in his bed. Remember - quiet behaviour from your dog gets your attention and praise, attention-getting behaviours do not.
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