Separation anxiety relates to the distress that our furry companions feel when we leave them home alone. They are pack animals and as such they long to be surrounded by pack members, by us. So sometimes when we leave them alone we can come home to yellow stains of pee on the carpet or torn up pieces of material from their doggy bed. These behaviours are a result of the anxiety that they feel when we leave them alone without having provided them with the appropriate coping strategies.
Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety often pick up on signs that indicate that their owners are about to leave. Simple things such as tying up shoe laces, opening garage doors or dangling car keys will become known to most dogs that their owners are about to leave. This then initiates their anxiety and they begin to act out. Some might whine and bark as their owners exit the door. Others might try and escape through the same door. Either way it is important to observe your dog to watch for signs of potential separation anxiety.
Some of the common signs are listed below:
- Urinating and Defecating
- Howling, Whining and Barking
- Destructive Behaviour (such as digging and chewing)
- Escaping
- Pacing
- Excessive Salivating
- Jumping up to stare out windows
Dogs who have never shown signs of separation anxiety can develop those behaviours over time if there is a change in ownership, daily routines, residence and family members. There are three levels of separation anxiety:
1. Little to no separation anxiety,
2. Mild to moderate separation anxiety, and
3. Severe separation anxiety
So what can we do when our dogs develop the behaviours associated with separation anxiety? There are actually a lot of things that we could do to help our furry companions cope with being alone. Dogs who are experiencing little to no separation anxiety just need to have their level of independence maintained. This can be done by keeping greetings and farewells to a minimum when leaving as well as providing the dog with items of entertainment such as a treat stuffed wobbler and some toys.
For dogs who suffer from mild to moderate separation anxiety the owners should practice counter conditioning where their dog will learn to associate being left alone as something positive. This can be done by providing the dog with treats, stuffed wobblers, chew/squeaky toys and food puzzle toys. The food and toys should keep the dog entertained enough so that he doesn't become distressed when his owners leave. Additionally, the owners should consider alternating their leaving routines. tie your shoes and dangle your keys in front of your dog but then instead of leaving sit on the couch and watch some TV. If this is repeated enough your dog should begin to disassociate those actions with you leaving, so he won't become distressed next time that you put on your shoes or grab your keys to leave. This form of training is known as desensitisation. Gradual exposure is another strategy that can be used where the owner will start leaving their dog home alone for a few minutes at a time and then return to their dog without making a big fuss. The time that the dog gets left alone will then be increased slowly until the owner can leave their home for a few hours without their dog expressing any forms of separation anxiety.
Dogs with severe separation anxiety can also be treated with the steps mentioned above, however they will require additional treatment because their distress is more complex. They require a mixture of counter conditioning, gradual exposure and desensitisation training with the addition of possible behaviour medication as well as professional help from a behaviour trainer/consultant. This is important because fear needs to be avoided or else the procedures would fail and the dog could become more stressed and anxious over time. It is important to consult with a veterinarian and a behaviour consultant if you fear that your dog might be suffering from severe levels of separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety in dogs don't just go away within a few days, it may take a few weeks if the strategies are practised on a daily basis, so be patient and think about the bigger picture. The more effort you put in as a dog owner, the more coping skills your dog will learn when they are left alone.
EXTRA!
I have made a list of items below that I would recommend for dog owners who are attempting to train their dog's to cope better when left home alone.
- Treat stuffed wobbler: Stuff a Kong wobbler or a treat ball with your dogs favourite treats, seal the opening of the wobbler/treatball with natural peanut butter. Make sure to give this to your dog right before you step out of the door so that they are distracted.
- Frozen cupcake: Soak some of your dogs treats or biscuits in chicken or beef stock, pour the contents into a cupcake tray and freeze. When leaving the home make sure to give your dog a frozen cupcake! This will keep them entertained for hours. It is best enjoyed in summer.
- Fake grass: Leave some patches of fake grass outside for a day and night, then bring it inside when you are about to leave. The smells and texture from the fake grass will entertain your dog for a while.
- Chew toys and Squeaky toys: Make sure you leave your dog with plenty of exciting options to play with. This could be a chew toy or a squeaky toy. Both are very entertaining and help with mouth cleanliness.
- Smelly cloths: When you are going out for a walk or to work take some torn pieces of material with you. If you see something that could smell interesting to your dog such as a light pole, a patch of grass or a food stain, rub a cloth piece onto it. When you get home make sure to store the cloths away so that they still maintain their smells. Then just before you leave again, give the torn cloths to your dog. They will spend hours sniffing them.
-Crates for Crate Training: Crates are very important for crate training your dog. They are very useful for dogs with separation anxiety and have many more uses. (There will be an article on crate training). I would recommend, for the time being to get a crate that allows your dog to move around in it, to sit and lay down. Leave the door of the crate open and fill it with comfy bedding, treats, toys. Start by luring your dog into the crate with treats and praise him for getting in. Once he is comfortable he will begin to associate the crate as a safe space just for him. IMPORTANT: Do not close the crate gate unless your dog has been trained to feel comfortable when confined in a locked crate. This will come in time with training.
Some useful links to brows through:
- ASPCA, Common Dog Behaviour Issues, Separation Anxiety
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety
- RSPCA, What can I do if my dog is anxious when I'm not at home?
http://kb.rspca.org.au/what-can-i-do-if-my-dog-is-anxious-when-im-not-at-home_319.html
Kommentarer