Kahlua, a three-year-old Labrador retriever showed signs of separation anxiety at six months. Kure also owns a four-month-old Labrador puppy named
Helmsley who barks and cries when left alone.Dr. Julia Brannan, a veterinarian with the Argus Institute at Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, said separation anxiety can be very serious. "These companion animals are
really stressed out. It's like someone having an anxiety attack. They can do a lot of damage to themselves and a house."
Concerned dog owners can become upset and frustrated when their otherwise loving and playful
companions have an attack of the terribles when left home alone.
Dr. Brannan noted that separation anxiety behavior could occur within the first 15 to 20 minutes after the owner leaves.
Additionally, chronic anxiety can be
detrimental to a dog's health and decrease the quality of life due to emotional distress. Possible fallout for the dog owner includes eviction from the residence if the dog barking constitutes a noise disturbance, time and money to
make repairs to the home, emotional stress on leaving the dog alone, and the final solution where both dog and owner lose—euthanasia or abandonment.
Clinical Signs:
Dogs can manifest clinical signs of separation anxiety
in any combination of the 'common' signs," said Emily Levine, DVM, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. "It is likely the dog is showing a sign as the owner is getting ready to leave. Dogs are
very perceptive and can discriminate between their human companion putting on work shoes vs. house shoes."
"In these situations where the dog is anxious, one might see an increase in panting, attention seeking behavior,
as well as the dog not leaving the owner's side and becoming a 'Velcro dog,'" said Dr. Levine.
Anxiety experienced during separation might not be the only time the dog feels anxious. Dogs showing extreme clinical signs of
anxiety upon separation may also feel low levels of anxiety on a more regular basis, even in the owner's presence according to Dr. Levine.
Something as simple as changes in a dog's environment can push them over the edge and
trigger separation anxiety. Going back to work after time off, having a new baby or a family member leaving the scene can provoke stress in the family dog.
The behavior can occur at all stages of development in a dog's life,
however, in older dogs separation anxiety can be caused by Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome or Alzheimer's.
Treatment:
Typically, separation anxiety can be diagnosed by a detailed behavioral history along with presenting
clinical signs. "As with any behavioral disorder, all medical disorders should be ruled out first," said Dr. Levine.
With the absence of testing to help pin down a definitive diagnosis, sometimes the going can get rough
on both dog and owner.
Dr. Brannan said, "We look at the complaints and what is the situation that caused this stress behavior. Sometimes the only way we know is by response to treatment."
According to Dr. Brannan 1
out of 10 dogs she sees at the university clinic has some component of separation anxiety. She states Clomicalm is the drug of choice, and notes drugs are not a cure all but an aid to decreasing anxiety to allow the dog to be more
receptive to behavior modification.
Regarding treatment, Dr. Levine said she also uses Clomicalm for moderate to severe cases and notes these cases significantly improve with anti-anxiety medications. "The drugs help the
immediate situation, but the behavioral modification is the investment for the future behavior of the dog."
Valium is also used by some veterinarians, but Dr. Levine doesn't like it. She said there are better choices
available with longer lasting effects.
Susceptibility – Preventive Measures:
Dr. Brannan said, "We like to have dogs that are attached to us. We need to train them to be independent as well, to play alone and to
have a sense of purpose even when we are not around."
Dogs can get bored at home alone and stress out. Give him something special reserved for those times when you'll be gone, like a Kong toy <
> stuffed with peanut butter.
Desensitization to departure cues and downplaying both departures and homecomings are fundamental in behavioral therapy. Make a list of all the cues your dog reacts to like picking up keys, collecting a wallet or purse, putting on
work clothing or shoes. To desensitize your dog, pick up your keys 10 times in an evening without actually leaving. The desired outcome—the dog will no longer associate keys with leaving thereby reducing the level of anxiety.
Another trick is to ignore your dog for 15 to 30 minutes prior to leaving rather than engaging in drawn out episodes of goodbyes, as well as ignoring the dog upon arrival. Only give attention to the dog when he is relaxed.
When
integrating a new dog into the family, Dr. Levine said the best way is to do it when the owner can be home with the dog the following day and then practice gradual departures.
For dogs already in the family, any major change in
schedule should also be presented gradually when possible, helping to alleviate the stress of a new routine, especially one requiring the owner to be gone for a protracted time period.
"Before I recommend dog day care to the
client I take into consideration the temperament and personality of the dog," said Dr. Brannan. "Being in a room full of unfamiliar dogs can be stressful."
On the susceptible scale of dogs more prone to experience
separation anxiety, Dr. Levine said mix breed dogs are more susceptible to separation anxiety than pure breeds. "Speculation is that this is due to the higher prevalence of mix breed dogs in shelters, however, more studies
need to be done to confirm or reject that hypothesis."
Outcome:
"Our veterinarian said both dogs were showing signs of separation anxiety," said Kure. "But we worked with them and Kahlua has gotten
over it."
Kure achieved success with her dogs by using behavior therapy. Whenever Kahlua went several days without destructive behavior, she was given the run of the extra room when Kure left the house. But when she
destroyed something, Kahlua went back into the utility room. This type of time-out routine lasted for one year.
"We bought a soft muzzle and when we would come home to something eaten we put the muzzle on for
punishment," said Kure. "My veterinarian told me it would take time and patience. Kahlua is doing wonderfully and Helmsley is getting there."
With a little behavior therapy, understanding, and patience, you and
your dog can get through separation anxiety.
