Separation Anxiety

By Wendy C. Brooks, DVM, DipABVP
Educational Director, VeterinaryPartner.com

The worst cases of separation anxiety present an unlivable disaster for the pet owner. The animal becomes destructive, soils the house, and vocalizes loudly and unabashedly and, since the behavior occurs almost exclusively when the pet is alone, there is nothing to stop him from creating a spectacular mess and annoying the neighbors every time the owner steps out. In milder cases the dog may show only panting, over-grooming, or pacing, which is not overtly destructive but clearly represents an unpleasant mental state for the patient.

• Often the dog begins the anxiety display when he perceives cues that the owner is about to leave (i.e., the owner puts on cologne for work, gets the car keys, takes a shower, makes coffee etc.). 
• Separation anxiety problems can be precipitated by moving to a new home or prolonged separation from the owner. Prior to these events, the dog may have shown no separation anxiety whatsoever.

Separation Anxiety vs. Boredom

It seems intuitively obvious that boredom and anxiety are opposite mental states but when one considers that dogs cannot talk, it becomes easier to see how one might misinterpret a dog's behavior. One may come home to find the front door scratched up beyond recognition or the sofa reduced to a pile of stuffing. Was he reacting to his fear of being alone? Was he bored and looking for fun?  Was he frustrated because he did not know when to expect his owner to be home?

Separation anxiety is about two things: Separation and anxiety (or fear). Some clues that the problem is separation anxiety and not something else are:

• The behavior occurs only when the pet is left alone or anticipates being left alone. (The dog who is destructive for fun may well be destructive when he is not left alone.)
• The pet is "hyperattached" to the owner. The hyperattached pet follows the owner from room to room and/or constantly wants to be held. Many people enjoy being loved by a dog to this extent but it is important to realize when some independence must be learned.
• Destruction is oriented against barriers such as doors (especially the door where the owner was last seen by the pet). Vocalization during the episode tends to be high pitched and in repeated yips. (This is a regression to a young puppy's distress call in the time of separation from its mother.)
• The episode begins in the first 30 minutes from the time the owner leaves.

Not every one of these signs must be fullfilled for the diagnosis of separation anxiety to be made but the point is that an effort should be made to determine if the dog is actually showing separation anxiety or if there is some other motivation at work.

Treatment

Living with a destructive animal is an on-going nightmare. One never knows what disaster will be waiting on the other side of the front door and the simple luxury of finding one's things where one left them becomes an impossible dream.  It would be wonderful if one could simply give the dog a pill and solve the problem; unfortunately, training is the primary focus of solving separation anxiety. Often the owner needs as much training as the dog.

Step One: Discourage Hyperattachment

Dogs will often solicit attention from their owners. Resist the temptation of petting the dog with separation anxiety when approached for play or contact. Be aloof when greeted upon arriving home. Instead the human should be the initiator of contact with the dog.

Do not allow the dog to settle down in close proximity (within one yard) of where the owner is settling down. Arrange objects on the bed or sofa or on the floor so that the dog must settle at a greater distance. If possible, verbally reward the dog for settling at a distance (though take care as continued attention may be seen by the dog as an invitation to approach which is not what we want.) If the dog normally sleeps on the owner's bed, provide the dog with his own bed. One may need to start with the dog bed at the foot of the human bed before ultimately the dog bed is moved to the floor or even outside the room.

If there are other people in the home besides the primary dog caretaker, try to divide the care giving among the different people so that the dog is not as dependent on one person.

Encourage independent play by using toys that do not require human participation (like a Kong toy containing a food reward).

Step Two: Relaxation During Separation

It is also important to create a positive environment in the owner's absence.  There are several ways this might be achieved.

Provide a special treat (food, toy or both) only available when the pet is left alone. Do not forget to remove the item when you return home.

The D.A.P. (Dog Appeasement Pheromone) diffuser is a plug-in scent-releasing device. The material released is a genetically engineered pheromone normally secreted by mother dogs to their puppies as a message telling them to relax and that everything is all right. The pheromone is odorless to humans. A pump spray is also available but the diffuser continuously releases its message to hopefully keep the anxious dog calm.

Leave the television or radio on. The dog will not be fooled into thinking that someone is home; the point is to recreate a sense of cozy relaxation. Most people at home relax while listening to the radio or watching TV and the dog often sits in the room relaxed, too. The sound of the broadcast becomes a classically conditioned cue to the dog and may be helpful in creating a sense of comfort.

Step Three: Desensitization To Separation

Dogs readily learn the cues that indicate that the owner will be leaving the house soon. It is helpful to "uncouple" these cues from the actual leaving. At random times, the owner can go through some of the rituals of leaving: out on cologne, shower, wear work clothes, taking the car keys, even going outside and locking the door (but then coming in again).  This helps the dog to remain relaxed when he hears or sees these cues at the times when the owner is actually leaving.

Do not punish the dog for behavior demonstrated in fear.  Punishment usually only leads to more fear or anxiety. Second, unless the dog is actually in the process of performing the behavior one wishes to discourage, the dog will not understand what behavior is being punished.

Drugs

Currently clomipramine is the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of separation anxiety in the dog; however, other human anti-anxiety medications have a long history of use for this purpose.

Clomipramine, a tricyclic anti-anxiety drug so named because of its chemical structure, works by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasant, relaxed sensations. When serotonin levels are very high, we fall happily and cozily asleep. Serotonin is also involved with the pleasant sensations associated with eating chocolate, sun bathing, and falling in love. Problems with serotonin function can lead to anxiety, obsession, and mood disorders.

Clomipramine may be used once or twice a day. Often a lower dose is started, gradually working up to a higher dose. Some owners report good effect right away but it more commonly takes several weeks (4-6 weeks) for a steady blood level to be achieved.

This drug or any other used is meant as a supplement to training and cannot be expected to work without proper behavior management.

For more details on this medication, Novartis Animal Health has set up a web site at: http://www.clomicalm.novartis.us/.

Date Published: 8/11/2003 5:25:00 PM

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