Training and Health

Separation Anxiety Syndrome in Dogs and Cats (Part 2)

admin • 08 Aug 2023

Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs

The treatment is based on behavioral therapy with the aim of reducing anxiety and improving the dog's feeling of security when alone. This therapy must be accompanied by training and exercise sessions with well-defined schedules. Finally, drugs may be used to facilitate seizure control.

The therapy, in short, is based on 4 pillars:

• Reduction of dependence on the owner: through the training of the “down and stay” command, which allows the dog to remain relaxed with the gradual distance from the owner.

• Re-conditioning the owner's departure ritual:  prevents the animal from predicting that the owner will be absent and the associated anxiety. Through the use of a high value toy, the dog is trained to associate the exit rituals with something positive.

• Isolation Desensitization: The dog is left in a room alone with a high-value toy. The owner's return takes place before the animal becomes restless, that is, while it is relaxed. The period and situation of isolation gradually extends.

• Complementary therapy: a static schedule for feeding, training, walking and playing should be implemented. This will allow the dog to relax in between periods. The basic training itself allows the dog to feel more confident and secure. Finally, drugs may be used under the prescription of the veterinarian.

Reduce dependence on the owner

Usually dogs suffering from separation anxiety are nervous and are always close to the owner, following him around the house. Therefore it is necessary to teach the dog to be relaxed in the absence of the owner .

To reduce the dog's anxiety levels, it is not advisable to punish him or use training as a punishment . The aim is to increase the dog's comfort when separated from the owner. That's why training has to be something positive and that transmits security to the dog.

The training consists of teaching the dog the “down and stay” command . Initially, the owner must remain with the dog , repeating and increasing the duration in which the dog remains lying down.

Training should be reinforced with treats and treats . When the dog has lasted 1 to 2 minutes in this position, the owner can start to move away from the dog a little and come back . Gradual distancing can be interspersed with the owner doing housework while the dog is lying down.

The owner should return to the dog frequently and calmly provide positive reinforcement using treats or through treats and praise. If the dog shows anxiety, the owner should shorten the distance until the dog is comfortable.

This rule is important as we want the dog to associate isolation with relaxed and positive behavior. Moving further away from the dog when he is anxious or repressing him will further associate isolation with anxiety, making the situation worse.

Therefore this training should be patient and in a relaxed environment. When the dog tolerates short periods of separation, the owner should use the command at home during the day .

This workout may be easier after periods of exercise , such as after walks. Training aims to increase the dog's sense of security when separated from the owner .

Reconditioning of the owner's departure ritual

The dog predicts that the owner is going to leave the house due to his ritual (eg picking up the keys), becoming immediately anxious. Therefore, it is important that you stop associating these rituals with isolation and anxiety.

That is, we can disassociate these rituals from the moment the owner leaves and anxiety. Initially, a list of exit rituals that cause anxiety and their degree of importance should be made . Training should begin with the signal that causes the least anxiety.

A toy or chewing bone should be chosen that the dog likes a lot and will be entertained for more than 30 minutes. Initial training is simply giving it to the dog and after a few minutes remove it while the dog remains interested. Repeat until the dog accepts the removal of the toy.

Then the reconditioning training begins . To this end, the owner performs one of the exit rituals and immediately provides this toy . The toy is only offered under these circumstances.

This training is repeated during the day . The ritual is performed, the toy is offered and the owner remains at home, removing the toy after a few minutes. This sequence is repeated for all rituals gradually.

For example, the rituals in order from least serious to most serious are: putting on your coat, picking up your wallet, picking up your keys. The owner must start the training at least serious, that is, put on the coat.

In that case, you should wear the coat and immediately give the toy. This process is repeated several times throughout the day, even when the owner remains at home. When the dog stops showing anxiety in this ritual, it moves on to the next one, that is, the wallet.

The process is repeated for the wallet, and again for the keys, until the dog no longer shows anxiety in these rituals. This training reduces anticipation anxiety and builds a positive association with isolation due to the presence of the toy.

Desensitization to isolation

When the two exercises described above have been successfully performed, short periods of isolation can be introduced . For this exercise, a high value toy is used for the dog and that keeps it entertained for long periods. The toy should only be used exclusively for this training .

Initially the owner puts the dog in a room with the toy and leaves him alone for a few minutes. Before the dog loses interest in the toy and becomes anxious due to isolation, the owner should go back and calmly reward the dog . The toy is removed and the dog is allowed to leave the room.

The sequence is presented several times a day and gradually extending the time . The toy thus becomes a security for the dog, associating it with short periods of isolation without anxiety.

Using a variable time sequence, the isolation period is extended (eg 10-3-15). Finally, 30 to 45 minutes are reached, where it may be necessary to provide 2 toys to withstand this duration.

When 45 minutes is tolerated, the owner can add exit rituals and eventually leave the house for short periods of time . When these new stimuli present themselves, the period should be shortened and gradually lengthened .

This training can take more or less time depending on the dog's tolerance for isolation. The important thing is to keep the dog without anxiety, as this would make the problem worse.

dog handling

Dogs with punctual training, exercise and play routines with the owner are more relaxed and tolerate isolation better . Obedience training is recommended as it improves the dog's confidence.

When the dog is destructive it can get hurt. Therefore, it is advisable to leave it in a cage, kennel or in a room in the house . Usually the cage does not work as the dog already associates it with something negative and continues with destructive behaviors. A toy different from the one used in previous training must be provided.

If the dog has severe separation anxiety it is not possible to keep him at home. In this case, it is best to put him in a day kennel or hire a pet-sitter .