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Separation Anxiety

© Judy A Tomlinson

Separation anxiety can be a problem for some dogs just as it can be for some children. It is a condition that usually results from a dog's total inability to cope with being left on its own. This is a very serious issue, because separation anxiety is the second most common reason that dogs are euthanized or given up by their owners. (The first reason is aggression.) Dogs are pack animals, and attachment to their pack is imperative to their survival. As pets, dogs look upon their human family as their pack. Most dogs find a favorite place to snuggle into and sleep while their owners are away, but the anxious dog is unable to do this. Being alone can be devastating to this dog.

There can be several different reasons that a dog suffers from separation anxiety. For example, if the owner has had an extended stay at home with the dog following an illness or vacation, the dog will become accustommed to not being alone. When the owner does return the work, problems with separation anxiety could begin. In fact, any change in the normal routine of the household could trigger problems in some dogs.

Knowing which dog might be prone to have this problem is certainly not an exact science! Dogs which lack self-confidence, dogs that have been adopted from a pound, dogs that from birth have always been with people and suddenly are alone — all of these situations could cause separation anxiety.

Diagnosing S.A. (separation anxiety) can be slightly easier. The dog will more than likely bark excessively during the time it is alone. There will probably be destructive behavior, i.e. chewing, tearing up things, etc. Also, the owner will notice that the dog is eliminating in the house. A normally happy dog might become sad or depressed, and his appetite will decrease. If the dog is crated, he might try to escape from the crate. Dogs suffering from S.A. have been known to totally destroy a crate, and in doing so hurt themselves quite seriously.

All in all, this may be one of the most difficult problems a dog owner can face. Curing this behavior takes much patience, fortitude and, most of all, love. To read one of the most touching stories I have ever read on this subject, please read the story of Midnite. Another article titled Alone, But Not Lonely talks about dealing with separation anxiety.