For example, put on your boots and coat, and then just watch TV instead of leaving. Or pick up your keys, and then sit down at the kitchen table for awhile. Please be aware, though, that your dog has many years of learning the significance of your departure cues, so in order to learn that the cues no longer predict your long absences, your dog must experience the fake cues many, many times a day for many weeks. The main rule is to plan your absences to be shorter than the time it takes for your dog to become upset.
To get started, train your dog to perform out-of-sight stays by an inside door in the home, such as the bathroom. You can teach your dog to sit or down and stay while you go to the other side of the bathroom door. You can also contact a Certified Professional Dog Trainer for assistance. You can also work on getting your dog used to predeparture cues as you practice the stay. For example, ask your dog to stay. Then put on your coat, pick up your purse and go into the bathroom while your dog continues to stay.
A Necessary Component of Separation Anxiety Treatment During desensitization to any type of fear, it is essential to ensure that your dog never experiences the full-blown version of whatever provokes his anxiety or fear. This means that during treatment for separation anxiety, your dog cannot be left alone except during your desensitization sessions. Fortunately there are plenty of alternative arrangements:. In addition to your graduated absences exercises, all greetings hellos and goodbyes should be conducted in a very calm manner.
When saying goodbye, just give your dog a pat on the head, say goodbye and leave. To Crate or Not to Crate? Crate training can be helpful for some dogs if they learn that the crate is their safe place to go when left alone. However, for other dogs, the crate can cause added stress and anxiety.
Instead of using a crate, you can try confining your dog to one room behind a baby gate. To keep your dog busy and happy, try the following suggestions:. Medications Might Help Always consult with your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist before giving your dog any type of medication for a behavior problem.
As well as making sure that your dog has exciting things to do when you're with them, make sure you also give your dog a mentally stimulating toy , such as a stuffed 'kong', a meat-flavoured chew or a treat ball or cube. Make sure that this is a 'special' toy that they only get when you're not there. Remember to put away this toy when you return and also to take any food treats out of your pet's daily food allowance to avoid overfeeding.
Try to take your dog for a walk before you're due to go out, so they have the opportunity to go to the toilet and exercise. Return half an hour before you plan to leave and feed them a small meal - your dog will be much more inclined to relax! Some dogs will bark at the sight of other people or dogs passing by their window or in response to noises outside the home. Closing the curtains to reduce what your dog can see outside, leaving them in a quieter room or leaving the radio on to muffle outside noise can prevent your dog from being disturbed and barking.
We recommend that you don't leave your dog alone for more than four hours. However, if your dog struggles with being alone they may start feeling anxious within minutes of you leaving. Using a dog sitting service means that someone can keep your dog company and take them for a walk while you're out so that they're not left alone. This is a good way of easing the stress they may feel when you're not there.
Anxiety related behavioural disorders and neurotransmitters in dogs. Aetiology of separation-related behaviour in domestic dogs. Treatment of separation anxiety in dogs with clomipramine: results from a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter clinical trial. Evaluation of clomipramine as an adjunct to behavioural therapy in the treatment of separation-related problems in dogs. Evaluation of treatments for separation anxiety in dogs.
Classification of behaviour problems in dogs: distributions of age, breed, sex and reproductive status. McCrave EA. Diagnostic criteria for separation anxiety in the dog. Prevalence of owner-reported behaviours in dogs separated from the litter at two different ages. Prakt Tierarzt. The efficacy of systematic desensitization for treating the separation-related problem behaviour of domestic dogs.
Schwartz S. Separation anxiety syndrome in dogs and cats. Dogs in animal shelters: problems, suggestions, and needed expertise. Psychol Sci. Manifestations of chronic and acute stress in dogs. Behaviour of smaller and larger dogs: effects of training methods, inconsistency of owner behaviour and level of engagement in activities with the dog.
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Video analysis of dogs suffering from anxiety when left home alone and treated with clomipramine. Ogata N, Dodman NH. The use of clonidine in the treatment of fear-based behavior problems in dogs: an open trial. Fluoxetine combined with clorazepate dipotassium and behaviour modification for treatment of anxiety-related disorders in dogs. Vet J. Effectiveness of fluoxetine chewable tablets in the treatment of canine separation anxiety. Use of fluoxetine, diazepam, and behavior modification as therapy for treatment of anxiety-related disorders in dogs.
Retrospective evaluation of the effects of diazepam in dogs with anxiety-related behavior problems. Pancreatitis associated with clomipramine administration in a dog. J Small Anim Pract. Seksel K, Lindeman MJ.
Use of clomipramine in treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation anxiety and noise phobia in dogs: a preliminary, clinical study. Aust Vet J. Appleby D, Pluijmakers J. Separation anxiety in dogs: The function of homeostasis in its development and treatment. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract. Davison GC. Systematic desensitization as a counter-conditioning process.
J Abnorm Psychol. Lindsay S. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell; Rogerson J. Canine fears and phobias; a regime for treatment without recourse to drugs. Poppen R. Counterconditioning of conditioned suppression in rats. Psychol Rep. Processes of fear reduction in systematic desensitization: animal studies. Psychol Bull. Comparison of remote versus in-person behavioral consultation for treatment of canine separation anxiety.
Support Center Support Center. External link. Please review our privacy policy. Can help to reduce problem behavior May increase efficacy of behavioral interventions 8. Expensive Medication alone not sufficient to eliminate problem 31 , 39 , 45 Medication in the absence of a behavioral intervention maintains reliance on medication Side effects. Improvement in separation-related behavior 31 , 45 Increases passive behavior 45 Decreases anxious behavior including pacing, scratching, whining, and barking Side effects: canine pancreatitis; 51 abdominal pain; vomiting; lethargy Improvements in separation-related behavior 8 , 48 , Senior dogs and dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome CDS , which is similar to dementia in humans, can also develop separation anxiety.
Some of the symptoms of CDS and separation anxiety are similar, like house soiling and anxiety. In some cases, owners unwittingly encourage behavior changes that can lead to separation anxiety.
Giving a dog too much attention prior to leaving or when returning can raise their anxiety levels during these times. The cause may not always be easy or possible to determine, but discovering the trigger can be helpful during treatment.
Similar behavior issues include:. Urinary incontinence in dogs is a medical condition where a dog voids its bladder uncontrollably. This can happen when they are excited or even sleeping. There are many medical issues that can cause urinary incontinence in dogs.
Some of these include: kidney disease, bladder stones, neurological problems, abnormalities of the genitalia, urinary tract infection, a weak sphincter caused by old age, and hormone problems after being spayed.
Check with your veterinarian to rule out these issues before starting behavioral treatment for separation anxiety. Many medications have side effects that can cause frequent urination or house soiling. Make sure to contact your veterinarian if your dog is taking medication and having issues with soiling in the house. It is not uncommon for dogs to urinate during greetings, physical contact, play, when being scolded, or when putting on a leash.
Dogs will typically show physical signs of submissive posture in interactions. This includes displaying their stomach, holding their tail low, flattening their ears against their head, crouching, and shaking. A dog, especially one that is younger, that sometimes urinates in the house might not be fully house trained.
This could mean that they need additional training before they are completely house trained or the dog was punished after urinating and is afraid to go to the bathroom while the owner is nearby or watching. Some dogs will urinate small amounts in the house to scent mark or claim an area as their territory. This can occur when a dog has moved to a new house or when a dog feels territorial as a result of other animals moving into the house. This is most common in male dogs, however, some female dogs will mark as well.
Many young dogs will be destructive by chewing or digging even when their owners are home. This is a common behavioral issue and can be fixed through training. Dogs can become bored when their owners are gone. This boredom can transfer into destructive or disruptive behavior.
This can be resolved by providing mental stimulation such as a puzzle toy to keep your dog engaged while you are away. It is not uncommon for dogs to bark or howl in response to unfamiliar sights and sounds in their environment.
This can be true whether their owner is home or not. Videoing a dog during this timeframe can help your veterinarian in the diagnosis. Once a diagnosis of separation anxiety has been made, your veterinarian will try to determine the underlying cause.
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