Separation anxiety problems are diagnosed in around 15% of all behavioral cases. When left alone, most dogs will find a familiar spot and go to sleep. However, a dog suffering from separation anxiety can become extremely anxious. Not knowing where you or your family have gone or if you will ever return, this dog may exhibit behavior that may include chewing, barking, salivating, urinating, defecating, vomiting, or escape behaviors such as chewing on walls, scratching at doors or entry points. exit. , escaping from cages or trying to get out of gardens and enclosures.
In some cases, the dog can become seriously ill, stop eating, or suffer from depression. I often find that single dogs kept in kennels can become moody or lethargic. This can be a major problem with some of our working dogs who are often kenneled and therefore suffer accordingly. I personally think that if you intend to breed your dog then you really should have more than one dog in that environment.
Dogs are conspecific, meaning they can usually only form a true pack with their own kind. They create a loose pack-like alliance with us and are integrated into our family unit, however that does not normally happen when dogs are not allowed indoors and are restricted to a kennel area. These dogs need the companionship and company of other dogs when they find themselves in this situation. If we were to look at it in human terms, it would be equivalent to solitary confinement.
Possible causes
Factors at the root of separation anxiety can include genetics, insufficient early learning and handling, lack of socialization and owner behavior, sometimes reinforcing an excessive bonding relationship that causes stress for the dog when we are not around . This type of dog will follow you everywhere and that includes the bathroom. We can often exacerbate the problem by making a big scene when we leave. Was it Shakespeare who wrote, “Parting is a pain so sweet, I’ll say goodnight until it’s morning”?
Your dog is a social pack animal that relies on others for individual protection, finds security in numbers, and will feel left out of the pack if not allowed to mix freely with its extended family, which includes humans and other dogs. In wolf packs, an individual who is forced to leave the pack often dies if he is unable to join another pack. Often these dogs are males who have been usurped from the Alpha position or have been challenged for the top position and failed. So it is unlikely that it will be accepted into another pack and will not be able to hunt as effectively on its own.
Dogs retain the vestigial characteristics of wolves, is it any wonder they feel anxious when placed in these situations?
Dogs that lack confidence, due to excessive bonding, lack of socialization or lack of basic obedience training, past abuse, long confinements, or dogs that have been abandoned or placed in rescue centers, are likely to exhibit anxiety about separation-related behaviors.
Solution and Treatment
o No long goodbyes
When it’s time to go, just walk away. Don’t say a long, drawn-out “goodbye” to your dog. In fact, ignore your dog for five minutes before you leave. Paying too much attention will make your dog feel more insecure when that attention is abruptly withdrawn. You may want to use an herbal type anxiety reducer such as Dr Bach’s rescue remedy, you can get it from any good pharmacy 4 drops a day in your food, and a DAP diffuser you can get from your vets. It plugs into the wall outlet and emits calming pheromones. DAP stands for Dog Appeasing Pheromone, clever little scientists have isolated the pheromone that the lactating mother emits to calm the puppies when she is feeding them, and created a chemical mimic. These combinations can help calm anxiety. Always discuss any herbal or natural remedies or treatments with your veterinarian.
o Distractions are the key
Prepare a “Goodbye” bone. These are hollow bones stuffed with cheese or meat bought at the pet store, or it could be a Kong. When it’s empty, fill it with grated cheese, peanut butter, or other things your dog really likes. You can even make a thick soup-like mix, fill hollow bones with these and freeze, store and only take out when you go out each day. Place it near your dog just before you close the door. When you get home, put the bone away. The bone only comes out when you leave. when it goes down, it takes out the content and refills.
You are distracting your dog with something that will be interesting enough for him to focus on and he will ignore you leaving. He should appreciate the bone so much that he’ll be looking forward to it coming out instead of being mad at you leaving. You can also get puzzle type activity cubes or balls, these are meant to be filled with dry kibble or treats, the dog has to manipulate them to get bits of treats. thinking about your game. Again, only give this to your dog when he leaves and take it away when he returns.
or box train
Confining your dog during your times of absence has two positive results. First of all, a dog confined in a cage cannot harm his home. Second, a crate, when properly introduced, will act as a safe and comfortable den where the dog can relax. Limiting his movement also acts as an anxiety reducer for most dogs. However, dogs should not be kept in cages for long periods, the maximum during the day should be 2/3 hours and of course only rarely, not every day.
o Exercise your dog
A dog that lacks exercise is more likely to have stress and tension. Tired a dog with a long walk, run or play goes a long way in reducing stress and anxiety.
o Leave the radio on
Tune a radio to a talk station; no music, put it in a room where you are often, but not in the same room as the dog, and close the door. I use LBC 97.3 as the preferred station although of course not everyone can receive this. The dog will hear human voices from another room and may not feel alone. Some owners record their own voices and play the recording instead of the radio show. Dogs know the sound of your voice. This only needs to be a couple of hours long.
o Create a routine
The hardest time for dogs is right after you leave. His anxious, frantic, and occasionally destructive behavior usually occurs within the first hour. You need to modify your dog’s behavior through reinforcement training and behavior modification. Let your dog in or out of the crate; get ready to leave, put on your coat or whatever routine you have when you leave, go out as usual, come back after a minute greet your dog calmly tell him to sit, when he does, reinforce the behavior with a treat he likes .
Wait a few minutes and then repeat the exercise, this time staying outside for a few more minutes. She continues to practice leaving and coming back for the next two weeks. This has the effect of desensitizing your dog to departures from him and he will not know the duration of the separation.
o Leadership is vital
When a dog has a strong and consistent leader, it has a calming effect on him. He feels safe and cared for. In the absence of a strong leader, your dog feels compelled to assume that position in the social hierarchy of the family pack. Since a leader must control everything that happens, his inability to control his departure causes stress and anxiety. They will sometimes exhibit domineering behavior to try and prevent owners from leaving. Obedience training and *NILIF techniques are usually the best methods to establish yourself as a strong and beneficial leader.
Consistency is the key. You are responsible for providing food and shelter. You also have a responsibility to provide an environment in which the dog feels safe and secure. Leadership plays apart. lack of coherence and excessive attachment can be a cause and effect of separation anxiety, although it must be said that other factors can also play a role. Sometimes you may need another dog for companionship and comfort for your current pet, especially if symptoms are severe. Sometimes you may need to relocate the dog as his lifestyle does not allow for a happy and satisfied pet and it is in the best interest of both of you that this should be taken into account.
The NILIF technique mentioned here will be in a future article called “The Pushy Dog”.
