The term “separation anxiety”
is often misunderstood. True
clinical separation anxiety is not common.Consult your veterinarian to get a correct diagnosis.
What is it
Separation
anxiety in dogs is the fear or dislike of isolation, which often results in
undesirable behavior. Separation
anxiety is one of the most common causes of canine behavioral problems.
If
your dog follows you around room to room, becomes anxious even if a closed door
separates you, dislikes spending time alone outdoors, and acts depressed or
anxious when you are getting ready to leave the house then your dog may have minor separation anxiety.
If,
however, you are having destruction of property (especially around doors or
windows), howling and barking, urination and defecation then it is probably severe separation anxiety.Prescribed drugs are sometimes used as
a temporary measure along with the behavior modification program.Severe cases require a behavior
modification program and desensitization to being alone.This usually takes a very long time.
When
left alone, most dogs find a familiar spot and go to sleep. However, a dog suffering from separation
anxiety will become extremely anxious. Separation anxiety occurs when a dog becomes distressed over
the absence of other pack members, human, or canine.Not understanding where you or your family has gone or if you
will ever return.Your dog’s way
of expressing anxiety over your absence may include chewing, barking,
salivating, urinating, defecating, vomiting, self-mutilation or escape behavior
such as chewing through walls, scratching through doors, busting out of cages
or digging under fences (if left outdoors). In some cases, the dog simply gets sick, perhaps due to some
form of depression.
Often
it is the exits and entrances to the home that the dog targets for
destruction.The destruction is
not an attempt to seek revenge on the owner for leaving but is actually a panic
response.It can be compared to
humans suffering from panic attacks, so even if the physical signs are not
obvious the psychological stress can be severe.To help your dog overcome this normal response we need to
progress gradually and slowly to minimize the stress.Your goal is to help your dog accept separation without
stressing in the first place and to remain calm during prolonged
separation.
What can
cause it
Dogs need to be properly
conditioned to being left alone. Separation anxiety can
sometimes happen when:
the dog has never or
rarely been left alone
after going away to a
boarding kennel or shelter
after a change in the
family’s routine such as a new work schedule, moving to a new home, a new
person living in the home, or a person leaving the home
after a long interval
such as a vacation with you and your dog constantly together
Giving a dog too much or the
wrong type of attention can lead to such stress related behaviors.In some cases the constant attention and petting a
dog receives when its owners are home make the stress worse when they are
absent.Examples include:
petting the dog too much for merely existing
allowing the dog to sleep in bed before behavior
issues are resolved
petting and playing with the dog when they
demand it
petting to calm the dog down when he is scared,
stressed, angry, etc.
excitable greeting of the dog upon awakening or
arriving home
These actions can make the
dog too dependent and create neediness. This neediness cannot be fulfilled when
the dog is alone. If the dog is experiencing stress when left alone, he will do
things that he should not do. It is important to keep a balance, so that the
dog does not feel as alone when you are gone.
Ways to
treat it
Treatment
for separation anxiety varies from dog to dog. Here are some things you can do
to assist in the modification of this behavior or the prevention of it.
Crate your dog
Crating
your dog during your times of absence has two positive results. First, a dog
who is confined to a carrier or crate cannot do damage to your home. Secondly, when
properly introduced a crate will act as a safe, comfortable den where the dog
can relax. Limiting his movement also acts as an anxiety reducer for most dogs.
A
dog who has to be physically manhandled into the crate has not yielded to you the
authority to place him there. You've merely shoveled him in there with no
"buy in" from the dog. I always teach the dog to load himself on
command, and in so doing, the dog learns to confer upon you the authority to
determine what space his body shall occupy. That is called submitting to the
leader and teaching the dog to do it voluntarily has huge payoffs.
For
dogs who self injure, the best success for crate training is to train them to
go in and out of the crate without any physical prompts. It seems too simple
but it seems to work quickly with dogs who self injure when confined.
Should
the dog start barking, hit the crate with a pan or spoon without saying a word
(as if to create thunder). Repeat that at intervals if the dog does not give it
up.DO NOT let the dog get too
worked up. If the loud sound does not interrupt and startle the dog into
stopping the unwanted behavior then lift one end of the crate an inch or two
and bounce the crate up and down a few times. Again, don't say anything or tie
the correction to you in any way. Just make the behavior un-rewarding.
To
begin, lure and prompt to get your dog to go in and out. When the dog appears
calm about doing that then up the ante and let the dog see you put rewards
inside the crate and close the door.The dog should recognize the treat inside the crate and the dog on the outside.
When the dog is really
"fussing" to get in open the door and let the dog in.Repeat and alternate dog in crate with food
in crate (dog and food separated by crate door) until the dog is able to remain
in a calm state.
Stage two is closing the door for a second then letting the dog out.Third stage is getting the dog to lay
down in the crate with the door closed. Then treat in the crate.Final stage is going out of sight.
The
process is usually one that can be accomplished in a day (about four 20 minute
sessions). This technique works very well, especially on the really frantic
dogs.
For the dogs that won't give it up, cover the crate (prefer the plastic crate
for this) so the dog cannot see out.
Some
dogs prefer to be in a room next to a window and some do not.Some dogs feel safer in a plastic
walled crate and some prefer a wire crate.Find out what works best for your dog.
Turn on a radio or
television
Turn
on a radio or television in a room you are often in, the bedroom is usually a
good choice, and close the door. The dog will hear the human voices from your
room and may not feel so alone. Stick to an easy listening station so as not to
excite the dog or use the animal planet channel.Some clients tape record their own voices and play the recording in place
of the radio or television program. Dogs know the sound of your voice all too
well. And remember, since the dog
is most anxious just after you leave, a one-hour recording will probably
suffice.It will buffer outside noises and make the house seem
less empty. Also leave a light on
if it will be getting dark.
Prepare a
"bye-bye" chew toy
Get
a "kong" and fill it with goodies such as dried liver pet treats,
beef jerky, peanut butter, cheese or other things your dog really likes. Keep
it hidden and take it out when you leave each day. Place it near your dog just
before you close the door. When you arrive home put the kong away. The kong
only comes out when you leave. We are attempting to distract your dog with
something that he will find interesting enough to concentrate on other than you
leaving. Hopefully, your dog will
appreciate the kong so much that he will look forward to it coming out in place
of getting upset with your leaving.
Change your exit pattern
With
most dogs, the hardest time for them is immediately after you leave. Their
anxious (and sometimes destructive) behavior occurs within the first hour after
they are left alone. It will be your job to reshape your dog's behavior through
reinforcement training. Maintain a calm
presence around the dog the last 30 minutes before you leave the house so as
not to excite the dog and possibly induce stress. Leave the dog out of the crate,
put your coat on, and walk to the door and leave. Come back in immediately.
Greet the dog calmly. Tell the dog to sit. When the dog sits, reinforce this
behavior with praise or a treat the dog enjoys. Wait a few minutes and then
repeat the exercise, this time remaining outside a few seconds longer. Continue
practicing leaving and returning over the next few weeks.Always remember when returning to greet
your dog calmly and command the dog to sit before offering a treat.
Also, do your pre-departure
activities without actually leaving.For instance, pick up your keys and watch television, put your coat on
and wash the dishes, or wear your work clothes while you read a book.Do anything but leave the house and do
this randomly and continue whenever you can.Do only one exercise at a time and keep it brief.Your dog should begin to learn that
coats or keys mean nothing at all.The important thing to remember is to not do these exercises within an
hour of you actually leaving.
Catch the dog in the
act.Set up situations where the
dog thinks you are gone but you are hiding in the house.Do your normal “leaving home”
routine.If you need to go as far
as having someone drive your car out of the driveway then do so.When the dog acts out then run in the
room, correct the dog, and return to your hiding spot.Once the dog has settled down and is
behaving then “return home”.Either wait until the person with your car returns or open your front
door and do your normal “return home” routine and praise the dog.
When it is time to
leave--just leave
Do
not say "good bye" to the dog with hugs and kisses. In fact, ignore the
dog for five minutes before you go. Paying too much attention will make the dog
feel more insecure when the attention is abruptly withdrawn.
Learning to spend time
alone
You
can help the dog learn to be comfortable away from you.This process will help teach the dog
that it is ok to be left alone!It
must be done slowly, paying careful attention to the dog’s behavior.The dog must not display anxiety at
anytime throughout the progression.This exercise can be performed during times when you are relaxed and
sitting down for a period of time such as watching television or reading a
book.Perform these exercises
during commercials or in between chapters.
It
is important to NEVER TELL THE DOG TO STAY!You want the dog to decide to stay on his own.Once the dog ignores each activity then
you may proceed to the next activity.Each activity may take several days or even weeks.
-When a commercial comes on simply stand up.If the dog gets up with you sit back down.Continue standing up and sitting down
until the dog ignores your activity or the commercial is over.
-Stand up and take ONE step away from the dog and chair.Return and sit back down.Do this until the dog ignores you.
-Continue this process until you can walk all the way around your chair
without the dog getting up.
-Once the dog ignores your laps around the chair then start moving around
the room.
-Now step out of the room (ONE STEP) and immediately back in.Once the dog accepts your disappearance
without response you can begin to increase the length of time you are out of
sight.Do this slowly and
gradually.
Diet and exercise
Diet, walks, and the home
environment also play a role in preventing stress in the dog.Below are some suggestions for easing
the dog’s stress. It is imperative that a dog receives positive, quality
attention.
Dogs are social creatures and need play time. It
is important that you as the owner set the beginning and end time for the
game. The dog should not demand the game be played. Have a specific fetch
toy and take it out only when it is time to play. If a dog is good for six
fetches then stop at four. Gradually add a repetition on each day until
the dog will do two dozen back and forth. Put the toy away when the game
is over. This will ensure that the dog stays motivated and does not lose
or destroy the toy.
Have chew toys for the dog when not playing. Do
not play fetch with dog's chew toys as that will reinforce the dog
demanding play at the wrong times.
Controlling when and what to play with will put
you in the role of leader as well as prevent dominance issues.
Feed the dog twice per day. This will satisfy
the dog as well as prevent possible mood swings due to possible low blood
sugar.
Calmly walk the dog twice a day for 20 minutes.
On the walks you can also include some basic obedience training such as sits
and downs. This also encourages the dog to keep his focus on you.
A
dog that is lacking exercise is more likely to have stress and tension. Tiring
a dog out with a long walk, a good run, or play goes a long way in reducing
stress.
Obedience training
Obedience
helps to structure the dog’s life.Practice a minimum of 15 minutes a day strictly on obedience and enforce
any command you give the dog so the dog’s world remains black and white.This way the dog will know his
boundaries.
Practice
long down-stays and sit-stays so the dog learns to control himself while you
leave the room.
Whether
the dog has minor or severe separation anxiety, one of the most effective tools
in your toolbox is the PLACE command.This command teaches dogs self control which an anxious dog needs to
learn.Contact an Acme Canine
professional trainer for more information on this command.
And finally…
Be
a strong leader. When a dog has a
strong leader, it has a calming effect on dogs. The dog feels safe and taken care of. In the absence of a strong leader, the dog
feels obligated to assume that position in the social hierarchy of the family
pack. Since a leader must control
all that goes on, the dog’s inability to control your leaving causes the dog
stress and anxiety. Obedience
training is the best, organized method of establishing yourself as a strong
leader.
It
is important to remember that the dog is not bad or trying to make life
miserable-although it sometimes may feel that way! The dog is the victim of a disorder that can be treated.
Prognosis for recovery is excellent if you are willing to spend time working
with the dog.
Don’t give up.Patience and
consistency will either correct or improve the situation.
REFERENCES
Griggs,
Janet. “Desensitizing a dog to being left alone.” Agility 4 Fun. 2007
<http://www.agility4fun.com/pdf/separationanxiety.pdf>
Holland,
C.C. “How to treat separation anxiety.” Dog Watch. September 2005
