Separation Anxiety

Is your dog a nervous wreck when you're gone? Does he seem to become a demolitions expert when he's left alone? Well if this sounds familiar, your precious pooch may be suffering from separation anxiety-a common behavioral problem. Often, these dogs seem totally fine and well adjusted when you are around, but when left alone they become very destructive chewing things up, scratching at doors or windows, and may even soil the house. They may also bark and howl, eliciting complaints from neighbors. We can appreciate this behavior in many dogs, but we seem to see an increased incidence in rescue dogs who may be reacting to the uncertainties of being left alone again. They seem to experience a high degree of anxiety when being left alone, and start acting out.

There may be predisposing factors which can contribute to this problem. We often see separation issues begin when parents' schedules change, and dogs which are used to more human interaction during the day, suddenly find themselves alone. Other environmental changes may also contribute to these problems, such as new neighbors, or new construction nearby.

As with any behavioral issue, solving this problem isn't always easy. Initially, it is very important to first check the dog out thoroughly to make sure he has no underlying medical issues which may be predisposing him to this behavior problem. Then, if everything is okay, we will recommend starting a program of behavior modification to basically desensitize the dog to being left alone, and to actually counter-condition him so he might even like his time alone.

Because these dogs are often so anxious and difficult to work with, we may need to start treatment with the help of some pharmacological intervention. When we do use medication, we never rely on them as a sole source of treatment.

Sometimes, we incorporate these "mood modifiers," as I like to call them, to help these dogs through the early behavior exercises. Our goal is to wean them off of the drugs altogether, if possible.

The basic theme of treatment is to minimize the attention you normally give to your dog during your exiting and entering, teach him to be comfortable by himself-even when you are home, train him to enjoy certain treats and toys to keep him occupied when he's alone, and to spend more time with him exercising and running when you are home to help use up some of him excess energy. It sounds tough, but as you'll see, it makes a lot of sense. If he doesn't catch on, your veterinarian may consider sending you to a board certified veterinary behavior specialist for some further consultation.

So, if your pet seems to become very destructive and vocal when he's left alone, don't panic--he may be suffering from separation anxiety. This is a very common behavioral problem, which can be controlled! Please check with your veterinarian for more information.