Coming home to a shredded pillow or scratches on the front door might be more than a nuisance, it could be the first sign that your dog is suffering from a medical condition called Separation Anxiety.
What is Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a physiologic panic attack, outside of your dog's control. It is caused by a hyper-attachment to an individual or other pet. The attack may occur when a pet is left alone or when a particular person leaves. Have you ever been so worried and upset over something you can barely function? This is how your dog feels during separation anxiety.
Do many dogs have Separation Anxiety?
Statistics show that about 20% of dogs are affected. That means one in every 5 dogs you see at the dog park has some degree of separation anxiety.
Why does a dog develop Separation Anxiety?
We often do not know the cause of separation anxiety in dogs and often times they may be anxious in other ways as well. The anxiety related to separation may have started after being boarded at a kennel, after moving to a new home or after a tragic event. Other anxious behaviors include storm phobia or extreme fear of vacuum cleaners.
How do I know if my dog has Separation Anxiety?
Signs can be very mild or very severe. Often times owner's won't know the dog has separation anxiety until the neighbors mention that the dog howls consistently while they are gone. In more severe cases, dogs may destroy furniture or even chew through drywall. For some pets, you don't have to leave to see signs of anxiety. If you can't go to the bathroom without your pet following behind you, you're seeing separation anxiety! A dog that is blocking the door or rushing an owner to the dog is also displaying signs of separation anxiety.
What are the treatments for Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is not a behavioral problem but a physiologic reaction instead. Successful treatment involves teaching the dog to relax when you leave the house, making sure to pair your departure and with pleasurable experiences. It is important to eliminate punishment due to the anxiety. Often times treatment will involve medications to help avoid the panic attack. Some cases involve short term medications while others will require long term medications.
What can you do right now to help with the anxiety?
Your veterinarian may recommend some medications to start your dog on for long term use, but these can take up to 4 weeks to show an effect. In the mean time you can start by hiding all of the triggers that signal your departure to your dog. These often include your purse, keys, or wallet. My dogs know which bag I take when I leave for work and will react differently than when I only pick up my keys. Do not confine your dog to a crate to control anxiety, unless they are already used to it and are comfortable in the crate. Kongs, irresistible toys that are very durable, are great to give dogs before you leave because it can help make leaving a pleasurable experience. One other thing you can do is ignoring your dog for 5 minutes before you leave and waiting until she calms down when you get home. This will help minimize the difference between when you are staying home and when you are leaving.
Can you cure Separation Anxiety?
It is unlikely that you will ever cure separation anxiety in your dog but you can make the situation less stressful over time. It is important to recognize separation anxiety early and speak to your veterinarian about what you can do.
