SEPARATION ANXIETY: IS YOUR DOG AFRAID TO BE LEFT ALONE?

I can distinctly remember as a five year old child being left alone while my mom drove the less than two miles to Cary Elementary School to drop off siblings. Captain Kangaroo was on television as my baby sitter; yet, it was rainy and lonely. It probably was less than 15 minutes later my mother returned to my tears and panic.  

Today, with most pet owners working away from home, dogs are left alone in the house. Many dogs develop destructive habits in isolation.  It is no wonder that the prescribing of anti-anxiety medications has soared by veterinarians as a “quick fix."  When “panic attacks” happen when owners are away, in an otherwise “clingy” but happy dog when reunited, the condition is called SEPARATION ANXIETY. My personal experience of high risk groups as a veterinarian are dogs that have been recycled through rescue organizations due to returns for questionable behaviors. Another red flag is animals from hoarding situations or puppy mills that had improper socialization before seven months of age. There are also a high number of environmental, lack of training, and genetic predisposition factors.

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON TRIGGERS OF DOGS ACQUIRING SEPARATION ANXIETY?

-changes in an owner’s routine

-medical, degenerative changes/disorders ALONG WITH SOME GENETIC RISKS

-concurrent other behavioral disorders or generalized fears or phobias

-acquisition of a new family member (ex. baby/spouse) or new pet that changes social dynamics

-post boarding at a kennel

-rescued dog in a new home

-moving to a new home for a family pet

-owner returning to work after a sabbatical of long home stay

ARE THERE SPECIFIC SIGNS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS BEHAVIORAL DISORDER?

-severe attachment to one or more family members

-hyperactivity upon return home by owner

-anxiety or stress begins shortly after owner leaves (even if a short, 15 minute departure videotaped)

-exhibited, panic behavior is only exhibited when the owner is gone (keep a log of behavior patterns, length, and triggers)

-demonstrates signs of stress when owner starts giving departure cues (picking up keys, jacket, garage door opening, etc.) this may include howling, barking, or pacing.

- in some cases may not accept being in dog care with other dogs or people, instead only relax in presence of owner. 

- extremely phobic to noises of a repetitive nature

IN ADDITION, HOW IS THIS NOTED PHYSICALLY BY THE OWNER IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE VETERINARY BEHAVIORIST? IS THIS BEHAVIOR KNOWN TO BE DESTRUCTIVE IN THE HOME?

Common physiological signs include lack of appetite, depression, diarrhea, vomiting, and compulsive licking behavior. Most dogs exhibit some but not the entire abnormal array of behaviors. More concerning is the destructive behavior to walls, furniture, and objects as the patient is stressed by the separation. Yes, it can be destructive. Many patients physically harm themselves getting out of crates or eat objects that require exploratory surgery in their stress.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON FALSE MYTHS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS BEHAVIORAL DISORDER?

That dogs are being spiteful, they are punishing the owner for the change in status/absence, the dog loves the owner too much, dogs are pack animals and need to always be around people/other pets, never taught to be alone, dog spoiled by being allowed on sofa or bed, needs a companion, and dog is bored. THIS IS A DISTRESSED DOG, PERIOD!

CAN IT BE CURED?

No, as the treatment does not change the genetic basis or dog’s abnormal perception/processing. THE KEY GOAL IS to change the extent to which a dog can learn calm behavior, and this is usually aided by medication.  Detailed management programs to lower triggers of the anxiety are critical to counter-conditioning.  

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF MANAGEMENT OF SEPARATION ANXIETY?

The best goals is the cultivation of calm behavior when left alone by: removing reward of attention seeking behavior, reducing anxiety for the dog and the owner with departure and arrival, desensitizing (gradually decreasing dog’s response to signals that owner is leaving the home) and avoiding punishment. 

SHOULD THE DOG BE PLACED IN ANOTHER HOME?

The optimal goal is to meet the dog’s needs humanely and provide a good quality life. Simply moving the dog to another home adds to the problem of rescue and recycling, thus reinforcing the behavior. Re-homing should be the last resort and only when the new owner is fully aware and prepared to meet the dog’s needs physically and emotionally. It is emotionally cruel to new pet parents to be CLUELESS in the adoption of pets at high risk of this disorder. 

Betsy Sigmon DVM, Diplomate American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Canine & Feline Practice

Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, Hospital Director

Cary, NC