Ask the Vet: Dogs and Separation Anxiety

by Mark Nunez, DVM

© All Things Dog Blog
Happily Enjoying Crate Time
 is Healthy for Your Dog

My  rescue dog has been with me since she was quite young. Living alone, I wonder if she has become too attached to me. When visiting family she displays a need to remain at my side most of the time and whines if I leave the room and she cannot join me. I had crate trained her as a puppy but have been advised she would do well to maintain that love of her crate, even though she does not require it now for any reason. 

Because I am elderly I find myself beginning to think about what will happen to my little one when she is left without me. Are there any health concerns I should worry about regarding separation anxiety? I suppose I will look for training assistance for her growing anxiety but also want to know if there is anything I can do to prevent physical illness or depression as a result of my absence. Thank you for your assistance.

L. Johanson

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Hello Mrs. Johanson,

If your dog has separation anxiety, I would recommend treatment for that as soon as possible.  Basically, what is happening in the mind of a dog with separation anxiety is that they are having panic attacks while the owner is not present.  This can result in all the same issues that chronic stress can have on people, including immunosuppression (which leaves them open for infections) and stress colitis.  

I agree with the advice for crate training and maintaining her love for the crate.  Many dogs with separation anxiety do not know what to do with themselves while the owner is gone.  If they associate the crate with rest and relaxation, it can help decrease anxiety.  However, crating alone is NOT the only method needed.  The separation anxiety should be addressed.  

The good news is that dogs live in the moment.  It often us humans that prevent that by inadvertently reinforcing the very behaviors we do not want.  When the time comes for your dog to live in another home, it will be the responsibility of the new owners to not reinforce anxiety and/or depression.  In the mean time, treating any separation anxiety that exists at the moment  will help your dog to relax and not panic in your temporary absence. 

Dr. Mark

© courtesy m.n.
Dr. Nunez

Dr. Nunez is a practicing veterinarian while also assisting patients through The Balanced Canine blog and his own online veterinary pharmacy. Have a question for Dr. Mark? Send it to AllThingsDogBlog@gmail.com. You can also follow Mark on Twitter.

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Pet Solutions Helpline: Preparing for a Vacation

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© All Things Dog Blog
Home Alone
Quiet Time=Crate Time

Dear All Things Dog Blog:


We are going out of town and my neighbor is taking care of our dog. He is a 6 year old rescued Lhasa Apsa who is very good in the house until he is left alone after dark. My neighbor will not be spending the night. I think it is better for him to stay in his own home vs being at a kennel for 15 days. When we are home at night Stanley is completely calm and sleeps all night. Is there something we can do to soothe him while he is here at night alone or do you think he will get used to it after she shows up every morning? Do you think the kennel is better for him; they do love him there and they are there all day. 

After dark, he urinates on something of mine every time!


S.M.

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Dear S.M.:

Assuming Stanley likes his crate/kennel, it may be best to have your neighbor continue his routine, sleeping in the crate. This will also protect your home from his nighttime oopsies.

If you have a local boarding facility where outdoor playtime is provided frequently, this may be a better option if Stanley is social and would enjoy the company of other dogs during playtime. If this is not an option and you choose to have your neighbor care for him in your home, let's look at some thoughts on that topic. If you are concerned about separation anxiety, here are a few ideas:

• Leave some dirty Tshirts (that have been worn by you or his favorite human) around the area he will have access to. This will be a comforting smell to him.
• Encourage your pet sitter to exercise him as much as possible. A long walk will do a world of good, if this is possible. Perhaps even a neighborhood kid could be available if your neighbor is not up to this much activity. A tired pup is not as anxious or bored.
• Leave calming music playing; perhaps a radio channel with classical or "elevator" music would work.
• For several days before you leave, try to give Stanley as much activity as possible--new smells, fun outings, and plenty of long walks. If you leave him home a tired and satisfied dog, he will handle the time much better.
• Make sure your neighbor knows that this would not be a good time to share new treats. Some pups get upset tummies easily, and you certainly don't want this to be a mess your neighbor feels obligated to clean up.
• If your dog is used to a certain treat reward, after a bathroom break, for instance, your neighbor can certainly continue this routine to make sure he stays on track.
• Practice coming and going frequently before you leave for your trip. Praise and reward your little one when you return to a quiet house without destruction.
• When you leave for the actual trip, do so without a lot of emotional ado. This will only serve to get your furry friend off to a uncertain start, as he will read your emotion. Leave the same as you would if you were returning in 10 minutes.

Finally, because your pup cannot dial 911, be sure you have a smoke detector installed and activated with a fresh battery in the area he will be spending his time. Leave a sign on a front window indicating you have a dog in the home and where he will be. Many pet stores sell small window clings that you can mark your pets on.

Best wishes for a fun trip, and please hug your pup for me too!

Happy tails,

Ask the Dog Trainer, with Michael Baugh: Safe Departures for Separation Anxiety

by Michael Baugh, CPDT-KA, CDBC

© K.B., reader copyright on file
Toy-Sized Dogs Like Sugar Bear
 Often Prefer Human Companionship

Dear Trainer:

We adopted our 10 year old Bichon 3 years ago, when his elderly owner became disabled. He settled in with us just fine immediately and became very attached to me. Shortly thereafter, he began whining incessantly upon my leaving, slobbering and licking the point of exit. We have returned to pools of slobber and scratched paint. He has even climbed a doggie gate in an effort to get to me.

Alix has a housemate, Toby, with whom he gets along well. However, only human companionship is soothing to his anxiety. Please help us teach Alix to calm himself so we may return without a distressed, slobber-sodden little dog.

Regards, Cathy

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Dear Cathy:

Dogs, like people, are social animals.  We like to be around each other.  Some folks would go so far as to say, we have a built-in need for social interaction.  There’s something in the core of our beings that says relationships are important for our survival.

It’s not terribly common, but some dogs have pretty upsetting behavior when left alone.  In some cases, it’s triggered by the departure of a specific individual.  Like Alix, many of these dogs drool and scratch at points of exit.  Others bark, cry, chew, pace, pant, and even lose control of their bladder and bowels.   The most dramatic case I ever saw was a dog who chewed through the laundry room wall clear through to the garage.  In the process he disconnected the washing machine and flooded the house.  Then he got out the garage door and wandered the neighborhood, presumably looking for his people. 

There is help for dogs like Alix.  However, the process is slow and painstaking.  The idea is to teach him that he is safe when people (especially Cathy) leave the home.  Of course, it would be nice if we could have a reasonable chat with Alix about all this.  Unfortunately, dogs don’t really work that way.  We’ll have to show him.  Here’s the painstaking part.  We’re going to rehearse the process of leaving Alix, over and over again for a period of several weeks (perhaps months).  I call these “safe departures.”  In other words, we’re just pretending to leave.  These departures are special because they come with a clear and specific “safety signal.”  I use a bright red Kong Toy stuffed with food as the “safety signal.”  The food is nice, but the real work of the Kong is to let the dog know, this departure is just make believe – you’re going to be okay.  When we return, the safety signal gets put away.

My most successful case used “safe departures” exclusively.  Slowly and progressively, the length of the departures increased, always with the Kong Toy present.  When the owner actually had to go to work or run a long errand, she took the dog to her mother’s house or to doggie daycare.  (That meant being left at home doubled as a “safety signal.”)  The dog was also on veterinarian prescribed medication (an SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).  It took almost 90 days before he could be left alone reliably without distress for a full work day.  Interestingly, this was the same client dog that ate through the wall and flooded the house.

While there are books on separation distress, I recommend hiring a behavior consultant who has experience with this type of behavior.  Look for someone with independent certification expertise in desensitization and counter-conditioning.  Moreover, get someone who knows how to work with people.  This training is detailed and drawn out.  Good coaching is essential.  Trust me, you’ll want someone by your side every step of the way.  We’re social animals, after all.

Houston dog trainer, Michael Baugh CPDT-KA, CDBC, is the director of training and behavior at Rover Oaks Pet Resorts.You may reach him at the link for a personal consultation, or write to him at 
our ASK THE DOG TRAINER Column at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. Michael's advice does not replace an actual consultation with a qualified trainer.