Know the ins and outs of canine separation anxiety
Dogs like human beings sure enough need to be loved, cared and pampered for a relationship that can only be cherished. And since dogs in nature are pack and social animals, ascertaining that they don’t become a victim of frantic panics or isolation is equally important. To help you know more of this disorder and signs of distress exhibited by your dog, which you might slip on very easily, we are providing dog lovers with comprehensive ins and outs of canine separation anxiety. Not only will the information enable you to understand your pet better, but will ensure that your relationship with your pack mate gets strengthened and even more lovable.
Separation anxiety in dogs is basically a serious condition where domesticated dogs in particular, when left secluded, reveal distress and behaviour problems. It’s quite similar to separation anxiety disorder - where people experience anxiety or distress when their loved ones are away. However, in the case of canine separation anxiety, dogs become anxious and distressed when they are taken away from their owner.
Causes
There are several different reasons that can cause separation anxiety in dogs. About 10 percent of all dogs do tend to develop this disorder at some point in their lives. Some cases of the disorder may be mild while others may prove to be severe. Unfortunately, the canine separation anxiety accounts to be the second most common reason for dogs to return to an isolated shelter.
1. Since dogs are social animals, leaving them or secluding them may cause distress to your dog. Your dog may also develop anxiety if its daily routine has been interrupted with certain changes. If your dog is accustomed to a particular pattern, changes in routine can bring behavioural problems in dogs.
2. Also, if your pet was taken away from its mother way too early in life, it may not have been enabled to establish social affiliation or bonds that a puppy normally would. And, the foremost eight weeks of a dog’s life are extremely significant for its overall social development. Puppies that are taken away from their mothers and siblings are more vulnerable early in life to barking issues and anxiety problems.
3. Dogs that are detached from their previous owners or shelters may find it as a traumatic experience. Since dogs get attached to their owner or caretaker, returning them to a shelter several times or changing their shelters too often may disturb your dog to a considerable extent.
4. Some dog breeds are more anxious than others. For example, shepherds, collies and weimaraners reveal higher tendency to develop anxiety problems compared to a pug. However, more than a dog’s genetic build-up, shelters and pounds tend to play a bigger role in causing separation anxiety problems in dogs.
Symptoms
Every dog exhibits different symptoms on developing anxiety problems. Nonetheless, the disorder can be depicted either via changes in a dog’s vocals or its physical behaviour. Dogs that get terrified by being alone at home may bark, howl or whin. These vocals may also adopt a severe form and transform into annoying shrieks of yells to draw the owner’s attention or help.
If attempts like barking or howling fail to work, dogs may become aggressive, cry or start chewing, digging or scratching things around.
Diagnosis
Separation anxiety in dogs might be operose to diagnose but it can be carried out properly if you don’t miss even the slightest of cues. If your dog is showing signs of elimination in the house when left unattended, vocalizing or chewing stuff around, you should start paying heed to the changes in your pet’s behaviour. If you are not being able to determine the reasons behind your dog’s unusual behaviour, you can get evaluation by some behaviour professionals.
Under clinical signs, vomiting, depression, not eating when alone, exuberant greetings upon return, pacing, jumping, accelerated motor activity, household damage, and defecation are some of the reasons for separation anxiety diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Are dogs prone to separation anxiety disorder aggressive or unfriendly in nature?
Ans: Dogs are loving animals and are mostly very friendly. However, dogs that develop anxiety may be attributed to the absence of care or attention from their owners or caretakers. And if a dog develops anxiety, it may show signs of distress and depression but doesn’t become aloof.
Q2 How can canine separation anxiety be treated?
Ans: If your dog’s been diagnosed with anxiety, you can spend more time with your dog. You can take your dog for walks, play games with him, do exercises together, or simply cuddle for more love. It won’t only enhance your relationship and lessen anxiety in your dog, but will enable your dog to understand you. If you feel these things are not working, you can take your dog to some professional help then.
Things to avoid:
- Make sure you pick up the signs of distress of your dog really quickly and don’t neglect changes in your dog’s behaviour. Simply, pay attention to your pet.
- If your dog continues to being depressed or anxious even after spending time with it, take it to some professional help instantly.
- Whilst your dog is sad, sitting somewhere isolated or showing other symptoms of disorder, never be harsh with your dog. You must behave lovingly with your dog and consult behaviour modification training.
