Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a very real problem with Lhasa Apsos. We have talked about the similarities between Lhasa Apsos and toddlers. These similarities are never more apparent then with the reaction of either to forced separation.

As with a toddler, a Lhasa Apso that is suddenly faced with being separated from its human has tremendous difficulty in coping, especially if it has not had any experience with separation before.

The Lhasa Apso reacts to the stress and insecurity of a sudden forced separation with nearly identical behavioral problems as the typical toddler in the same situation. Temper tantrums, clinging, crying at the time of departure, the guilt trips and the destruction of things belonging to the person deserting them are common problems with both Lhasa Apsos and toddlers.

It is futile to try reason with either. Neither understands or really cares why they are being left, only that they are and they do not like it. They will do anything and everything they can think of to prevent, or at least delay the inevitable. The only thing they can think about is how miserable they are when the person they love so much leaves them. No amount of extra attention or affection when you are there can make it up to them for your not being there with them.

Even if the Lhasa is inured to being left for long periods from very early on, they do not ever really adjust or accept the extended absences of the human they love so completely. If, on the other hand, they have always had you with them and then, suddenly, circumstances make it necessary for you to be away from them, it is a severely traumatic experience for them.

So what do you do when you suddenly find it necessary to return to the work force, or take care of an ill relative, or travel or any one of hundreds of other reasons that can make it necessary for you to leave your Lhasa babies at home alone?

Obviously, the only really good answer, at least to the Lhasa, is simply not to leave them, and, in an ideal world, that would be great, but the world is far from ideal and sometimes staying home with your Lhasa is simply not an option.

There is no easy solution to this problem. The Lhasa is going to suffer no matter what you do because they honestly do need you to be there with them and cannot understand why you leave them. There are some things you can do to ease the strain to some extent, however. If at all possible, be sure that another human companion that they are attached to is with them when you cannot be. Although this will not prevent them from grieving over your absence, it will help to alleviate their stress and insecurity. If at all possible, when you know ahead of time that you are going to have to start leaving them alone soon, try to ease into the extended separation with shorter separations, gradually extending the length of time you are gone. While this won't do anything to make them accept separation, it will, at least, cause the long separations to be somewhat less of a shock, especially if they have never been left before. Special treats and concentrated periods of your undivided attention and affection upon your return can help to shift the focus from your departure to your return. Giving them something to anticipate when you get home will not make it any easier for them when you leave, but it will give them something to look forward to when you get home. Because a Lhasa, like a toddler, is never really sure you are going to come back when you leave, which is, of course, the basis for the separation anxiety, they will adjust to some extent when you do return on schedule and afford them special care every time you do.

Go To Page: 1

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic