WHAT IS SEPARATION ANXIETY AND HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? Destructive behaviour such as chewing, COVID-19 has changed all of our lives, including scratching or digging those of our pets! Our furry friends have become Frantic pacing, circling or visual scanning used to having their human family at home day Inappropriate elimination (urinating or and night and this is now a regular part of their defecating inside the home) daily routines. Although this shared time has many Extreme greeting routine or excitement when benefits, it can also create issues with separation owner comes home anxiety when the humans head back to the office and back to school again! Separation anxiety is preventable and can be managed with systematic treatment. Punishing Separation anxiety (SA) in dogs is a feeling of a dog for vocalization and destruction should be panic or stress when they are left alone. In the avoided and can make the situation worse. canine world, when a puppy is nervous, it whines. As mom comforts the pup, it begins to feel better. Tips on dealing with minor cases of separation This reassurance and comfort of social closeness anxiety in your dog: reinforces the distress behaviours displayed by the Do not make a big deal out of arrivals and puppy and can extend into later life. departures from the home. Ignore your dog for the first few minutes of arriving home and then The unfamiliarity of a new environment for a calmly pet them. dog, coupled with isolation from their new owner Leave your dog with recently worn clothes that for long periods of time, can cause anxiety. For smell like you. a dog, this can lead to vocalization - the only Regularly interrupt your dog from shadowing method the puppy knows to elicit a response you around the house by using a baby gate or for social closeness. When this doesn’t work, the x-pen for short periods of time. puppy becomes more stressed and finds their Practice very short absences with mock environment unpredictable and out of their departures and arrivals. control. Increase physical exercise and mental stimulation. Common factors that contribute to the development of SA in dogs include: If your pet is suffering from severe separation Puppies removed from their biological family anxiety: before 12 weeks of age SA is a neurological distress response, so in severe cases, medication is recommended. Failure to gradually expose dog to periods of Your veterinarian can help you determine the absence best option for your pet. Sudden or significant change of routine or In conjunction with SA medication, a schedule, such as moving into a new home structured and gradual desensitization or the loss of a family member or other pet program can help to change a dog’s emotional Dogs with pre-existing anxiety-based response to their human’s departure. disorders, such as a phobia or compulsive Consult a qualified, professional animal disorder behavior specialist for further help. Calgary Humane Society offers a FREE behaviour Common signs of SA in dogs: helpline for your questions and concerns Excessive distress vocalization such as barking, at (403) 723-6019 or at: behaviour.help@ howling or whining calgaryhumane.ca. Excessive drooling and sweaty paws (appear as “wet” paw prints on the floor)
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
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