What is Separation Anxiety?
What is it?
Separation Anxiety is a technical term and clinical diagnosis used and given by Veterinarians.
The behaviors associated with separation anxiety are fear based behaviors. The fear of being alone is similar to that of a thunder or firework phobia. The dog is not making a conscious choice to engage in these behaviors, but rather these behaviors are a physiological response to alone time.
Separation Anxiety risk factors include, but are not limited to, genetics, a traumatic experience that occurs when the pup is left alone or that occurs at another time, changes in the home (e.g. moving, a change in the family structure, etc.), re-homing the pup, or recently bringing a pup home.
It is a label often used by guardians and trainers to convey that their pup has a challenging time when left alone. The great news is that even if your pup doesn’t have a formal diagnosis of Separation Anxiety we can still help them with their separation related problems!
What it might look like
Vocalizing while you are away.
Destruction in the home while you are away. Most often destruction of exits (e.g. doorways, window sills, crates, etc.).
House trained dogs eliminating in the home when alone.
Excessive panting and increased respiration.
Excessive drooling.
Restlessness, pacing, or inability to relax when alone.
Injuring self when alone.
In some cases aggressive behaviors to prevent you from leaving or attempting to block the door.
How we help
As Separation Anxiety Specialists (CSATS), we are highly skilled in addressing these alone time behaviors.
We work with you and our pup to systematically increase their comfort level with being alone. By going at the pup’s pace we avoid flooding them with stress and they learn that being alone is no big deal and nothing to panic about. In return you no longer have to worry about what you are coming home to and how your pup is feeling while you are gone.
By working with us, we not only help to improve your pup’s quality of life, but yours as well!