![]() Old dogs with medical problems such as loss of hearing or sight, painful conditions and cognitive dysfunction may become more anxious in general, and seek out the owner's attention for security and relief. In other situations fear or anxiety due to an external event (construction, storms, fireworks) may trigger destructive behaviors. These dogs should be assessed to see if they act in the same way when they are confined while the owner is at home. Some dogs will attempt to escape or become extremely anxious when confined, so that destructiveness or house soiling when a dog is locked up in a crate, basement, or laundry room, may be due to confinement or barrier anxiety and associated attempts at escape. Barking when the owners are away could be due to the sounds of strangers or other animals on the property. If the destruction, elimination and vocalization are more likely to arise the longer the owners are away from home, it may be that they are being left alone too long. Dogs that eliminate when owners are at home may not be completely house trained or may have a medical problem. If the dog destroys, vocalizes, or eliminates both while the owners are at home and when they are away, other causes should first be considered. The vocalization is due to distress and may therefore consist of howling or whining. Destructive activity is often focused on owner possessions, or at the doors where owners depart or the dog is confined, and most often occurs shortly after departure. Are there other reasons that my dog may engage in these behaviors?ĭogs with separation anxiety vocalize, become destructive, or eliminate beginning either as the owners prepare to leave or shortly after departure. Dogs that have both separation anxiety and noise or storm phobias will need treatment for both problems. Some dogs appear to have separation anxiety but are afraid to be home alone because something bad has happened to them while alone (e.g., storms, fireworks). Separation anxiety might be prevented by ensuring that puppies have scheduled times where they learn to spend time alone in their own crates or beds. Dogs with separation anxiety are also often quite excited and aroused when the owner returns. Although typically the behavior occurs every time the owner leaves, in some cases it may only happen on selected departures, such as workday departures, or when the owner leaves again after coming home from work. During departures or separations, in addition to vocalization, destruction and elimination, they may be restless, shake, shiver, salivate, refuse to eat, or become quiet and withdrawn. ![]() Many but not all of these dogs crave a great deal of physical contact and attention from their owners. ![]() They often begin to display anxiety as soon as the owners prepare to leave. Most dogs with separation anxiety try to remain close to their owners, follow them from room to room and rarely spend time outdoors alone. They become extremely anxious and show distress behaviors such as vocalization, destruction, or house soiling when separated from the owners. Separation anxiety describes dogs that usually are overly attached or dependent on family members. How do I know if my dog's problem is due to separation anxiety? ![]() A well adjusted puppy should do well either alone or with the family and will be less likely to have separation anxiety in the future. Reward the behaviors that you want your puppy to continue. When you bring your puppy out of alone time to socialize with the family, make sure that you only get him when he is quietly playing with his toys. Puppies need to learn how to have alone time and amuse themselves with their toys. Puppies should be well socialized with other animals and people (See handout "Puppy Behavior and Training - Socialization and Fear Prevention"). Separation anxiety may be preventable with proper socialization and training when a puppy
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