Does my dog have separation anxiety?
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
Separation anxiety in dogs is a problem that can seriously impact the life of owners, the well-being of the animal, their emotional bond and sometimes, also the lives of neighbors. The most common signs are destruction, excessive vocalization, and uncleanliness. These behaviors are not acts of revenge and should not be viewed as nonsense. On the contrary, they are the expression of the distress felt by the dog during the separations with the attachment figure (s).
What are the causes ?
The theory of hyper-attachment is often advanced by specialists to explain separation anxiety. In this case, there is a strong need for the dog to constantly stay close to his attachment figure (several people in some cases), the dog follows that person around, relaxes when they relax and gets up when the no one is active. Even a short separation causes great distress. Sometimes it is enough just for the person to be in another room to trigger reactions. Behaviors can occur in the absence of a particular person, but not in the absence of other members of the group. For example, the dog cries or paces in the absence of a person, even if another member of the household is present.
That said, a dog who follows his master everywhere doesn't necessarily show hyper-attachment: he can do so because he has been rewarded many times for his requests for attention and he won't necessarily suffer from anxiety. of seperation.
Anxiety is an emotional state caused by an uncertain situation or the anticipation of danger. It is certainly the underlying cause of these behaviors and very often, dogs with separation anxiety have other behavioral or emotional problems (fear, phobia…). Anxiety can manifest itself when the dog perceives signs (real or imagined) indicating a departure or estrangement or when he does not perceive signs of return from the master.
In addition, certain factors can increase the risk of a dog developing this disorder: separation from the mother when she has not performed the necessary detachment, long periods without separation from the master, no habituation to separations , a significant change in the routine or the home (eg moving, the disappearance of a companion or the experience of abandonment) and rituals of departure and return. Dogs adopted from shelters often exhibit separation anxiety, possibly due to the experience of abandonment but also most likely because it was an existing problem. Separation anxiety is a very common cause of abandonment.
Recognize the signs
The best way to tell if a dog has separation anxiety is to film them when they are alone. This will give the possibility of seeing stressful behaviors, which are impossible to see otherwise: the dog paces nonstop, he salivates or pantes in an unusual way, he trembles, he tries to hide, it is impossible for him to stand. relax… etc. If filming the dog is not possible, then each problem should be evaluated based on the context in which it occurs. The most important criterion that can indicate separation anxiety disorder is: The behaviors do not occur in the presence of the masters (or the attachment figure).
Other common signs are:
- A dog who has separation anxiety will perceive signs indicating a departure (the owner puts his shoes on, takes his keys, closes all the windows…) and he will begin to show signs of distress at that time.
- The returns are a big holiday and his state of excitement is very high.
- He does not eat during separations. If you give him food and he doesn't eat, he's under great stress. In many cases, the dog will eat what the handler left on the return trip, because he is relaxing.
- In some cases (fortunately more rarely), the dog can attack his master when he notices that he is going to be away. These dogs are in such distress that they do everything to restrain their human companion.
- The dog requires a lot of attention (from its owners, visitors, other dogs). It is common for dogs who are very attention-seeking dogs to resent loneliness. When they have presence they have all the attention of the world and when they are alone there is nothing at all.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
The importance of properly diagnosing
In all cases, it is important that an accurate diagnosis is made in order to manage the problem in the most appropriate way. Confusing uncleanliness caused by illness with uncleanliness caused by separation anxiety could preclude treatment needed to improve the animal's health. A wrong diagnosis could possibly make the problem worse.
It is important to understand that the problematic behaviors caused by this disorder are behaviors that can be symptoms of other problems. If the dog destroys, defecates indoors, or barks excessively when his handler is present, then these behaviors are not directly related to separation anxiety.
Here are some examples of other causes besides separation anxiety:
- Abnormal bowel movements (if the dog knows how to hold back or ask to go out) can also be caused by a digestive problem, unsuitable food or another medical cause.
-A dog can destroy because he has not learned to control his biting. A bored or inadequately stimulated dog may seek to occupy themselves by using objects in their surroundings. Chewing gives them pleasure because it is soothing and stimulating.
-The dog barks at the master for requests for attention and does “stupid things” when ignored because he has been rewarded (directly or indirectly) for his requests for attention. Example: the dog puts his paw on the owner's leg> he receives a caress> he puts his paw back> receives a caress again. If he does not receive a caress, he may start barking “hey oh, here I am! Where is my caress? ” > comes the caress. The dog barks more and more for hugs.
Manage separation anxiety
Behavior therapy
The solution most recommended by specialists is behavioral therapy, which, for example, allows the dog to be taught independent behaviors or relaxation behaviors (we stop reinforcing behaviors that aim to attract attention, we reward those by which the dog is independent and there are relaxing activities). It also very often involves systematic desensitization and counter-conditioning, which are protocols that must be set up by a specialist: each case requiring a protocol being adapted to it. These methods aim to accustom the dog to the absence of the master by gradually increasing the duration of the absences, while provoking emotions contrary to anxiety (eating causes pleasure, playing relaxes). It also involves reducing the stress associated with leaving and returning home (usually by working on false starts or very short starts) and avoiding any punishment, as this is a major factor in anxiety. Generally speaking, dog training (obedience) with positive methods makes a dog more confident, improves the balance of his relationship with the owner and allows the owner to teach him desirable behaviors.
While waiting to put these protocols in place, and they may take time to take effect, the problem can be reduced by bringing in a walker, a “pet-sitter”, a member of the family who keeps the dog part of the house. the day or visits him, and possibly anti-anxiety drugs or soothing products (see below).
Warning: locking the dog in a cage is not a solution, it may worsen the problem and make him more anxious. Some animals were seriously injured trying to get out.
Pharmaceutical treatment
Drug treatments are sometimes necessary, especially in the most severe cases. The antidepressants of the family of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or tricyclic antidepressants are the most commonly used. Anxiolytics such as benzodiazepines can also be used (alone or with an antidepressant) to act quickly on anxiety. Clinical studies have shown their effectiveness in treating this kind of disorder, but behavioral modification remains essential: pharmaceutical treatment is a basic treatment to improve the emotional state of the dog and the effects of behavioral therapy. Only a veterinarian can prescribe this type of medication, whether the diagnosis confirming separation anxiety has been made by him or a behaviorist. He will tell you about possible side effects and contraindications.
Non-pharmaceutical treatment
For those who are really reluctant to take pharmaceutical treatments, there are alternative treatments that can reduce the stress on the animal. Some, like soothing pheromones, have been proven to work. To learn more about soothing pheromones and their effectiveness, you can read the following article: Pheromone Effectiveness.
Certain complementary foods have a calming effect on animals and have also been shown to be effective in reducing stress and anxiety. For example, alpha-casozepine (better known by its trade name “Zylkene”), is a protein obtained from milk which is said to have the same effects as a benzodiazepine. These alternative treatments generally do not have side effects, do not require a prescription, and are affordable.
Whether your dog is showing minor or more serious signs of separation anxiety, don't let them get worse. Call on a qualified behaviorist because each case is different and requires an adapted intervention. Separation anxiety can take a long time to work, but if the procedures are applied correctly, the results can be very positive!
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.