Anxiety a Common Problem for Man's Best Friend


The bond between a pet owner and pet is a strong one. Before leaving for work each morning, most pet owners make sure to say goodbye to their pet, especially if the family pet is a dog.

These devoted dog owners typically miss their dog while at work, and the feeling is mutual. In fact, some dogs even suffer from separation anxiety. Oftentimes, the behavior that results from separation anxiety is misunderstood, leading dog owners to think their dog is being disruptive or just has a bad temperament. That couldn't be further from the truth for most dogs -- and only highlights the importance of understanding and recognizing separation anxiety in dogs to avoid misdiagnosis.

What is Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety in dogs occurs when dogs are left alone. In a typical case, a dog will have a dramatic anxiety response within 20 to 45 minutes after their owners leave them. These responses can include digging, chewing or scratching at doors in an attempt to reunite with their owners, or howling or barking to get their owners to return. Dogs may even grow so distressed they urinate or defecate inside the house. This occurs even in dogs that are house trained and otherwise well behaved. Many dog owners assume these negative responses are a dog's attempt at punishing the owner for leaving. Instead, these responses are the result of a panic attack the dog suffers when the owner leaves.

Why Does a Dog Suffer from Separation Anxiety?

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) notes that the exact reasons for why some dogs experience anxiety while others are perfectly fine when left alone is unknown. For some dogs, these anxiety attacks can be triggered by a number of circumstances:

* a dog accustomed to constant human companionship is left alone for the first time

* a traumatic event, such as being left at a kennel during a family vacation (Note: The traumatic event likely won't seem traumatic to the pet owner, but could be very traumatic to the pet.)

* a change in routine, such as a shift in work schedule or even moving to a new home

How Do I Know If This is Separation Anxiety?

The signs of separation anxiety are rather easy to detect and include the following:

    - the behavior occurs primarily when the dog is left alone
    - the dog seems especially excited or frantic when greeting
    - the negative behavior always occurs when the dog is left alone, be it for 8 minutes or 8 hours
    - the dog grows excited or even depressed when you are preparing to leave the house
    - the dog doesn't like being outside alone

What Can I Do to Help?

While it's important to consult a veterinarian if you suspect your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, the HSUS suggests the following techniques for dealing with dogs with mild or moderate anxiety problems:

* Don't make a big spectacle when coming and going. When you get home from work, ignore your dog for a few minutes, then calmly pet him or her. Of course this will be difficult, but it will help the situation.

* Leave your dog a reminder of you during the day. This can be an article of clothing you recently wore or something else that has your scent attached to it.

* Keep a radio or television on in the house so your dog can hear comforting voices and not just silence.

For dogs who exhibit more severe or advanced symptoms of separation anxiety, visit the HSUS Web site at www.hsus.org.