Anxiety In Dogs - No Laughing Matter
Filed Under Pets | Posted on February 20, 2008
To some people, anxiety in dogs may sound like a ridiculous notion, after all, what would a dog have to be anxious about? Plenty, say the experts. According to veterinarians, approximately 15% of all dogs exhibit signs of separation anxiety.
Anxiety in dogs is really no laughing matter as it appears they can suffer from tension and stress just like us humans do. Unlike our canine counterparts, we are able to express our frustration through words, while dogs have to rely on other forms of expression to get their point across. Some of these forms of expression may include howling, barking, chewing your favorite shoes, urinating in the house, or other destructive behaviors that only appear when the dog is away from their owner.
Some dogs are so attached or fearful of being without their owner that they follow them from room to room, closely watching their every move to stay in close proximity. Other signs of separation anxiety in dogs may include:
- Excessive grooming.
- Excessive salivation, a condition known as hypersalivation.
- Periods of diarrhea or vomiting.
- Exhibiting signs of depression or long periods of inactivity.
- Self-mutilation from trying to “escape” or dig their way out of the yard or house.
- Showing signs of hyperattachment, which includes excessive or exuberant greeting behavior, or constantly vying for their owner’s attention upon their return home.
Dog or canine separation anxiety is an actual neurological response to distress, such as the fear of being away from their owner. Many times dogs who have been in shelters, pet stores or who have been strays are affected by the condition.
While separation anxiety usually appears in younger dogs, older dogs are also affected by the condition. The theory behind older dogs experiencing fear and anxiety when separated from their owners is that they have lost some of their sensory perceptions, such as sight and hearing. A loss of these valuable senses causes them to become anxious and fearful as they are more dependent upon their owners, and therefore feel vulnerable when they are without them.
Medical treatments for dog separation anxiety may include the use of a type of antidepressant called clomipramine hydrochloride, which affects neurotransmitters within the brain. Serotonin is one of these neurotransmitters that actively controls emotions such as anxiety and fear. If serotonin, a “feel-good” chemical is increased, levels of fear caused by separation anxiety are decreased. This kind of antidepressant is only used in dogs older than six months, and while it may cause periods of lethargy, it does not cause sedation.
Treatment for anxiety may include the use of holistic remedies and include behavior modification techniques that are designed to desensitize and reverse learned behaviors. The use of certain flower essences, botanicals, and herbs
It is imperative that any form of punishment or reprimand for behaviors resulting from separation anxiety be strictly avoided. Punishing the dog for being afraid or fearful because of your absence will only exacerbate the problem causing more stress and anxiety.
Is your dog traumatized when you leave him alone? Don’t get mad or frustrated. He may be suffering from dog separation anxiety. Learn proven and humane tips to help him overcome dog separation anxiety once and for all! Visit http://www.dogseparationanxiety.net today!
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