Separation Anxiety Issues
One definition of separation anxiety is disruptive behavior that occurs when
a dog is left alone as a distress response to separation from the person or
persons to whom it is attached. Symptoms may include (but are not limited to):
-
Pre-departure anxiety-anxiety level rises as the owner prepares to leave
(panting, pacing, trembling)
- Refusal to eat (anorexic when owner is absent but will immediately eat upon their return)
- Excessive salivation
- Plaintive whining, barking or howling incessantly
- Urinating or defecating indoors
- Destruction of household property with tooth and nail (often harming themselves in the process)
- Escape behaviors (dog may destroy doors, windows, surrounding woodwork, may dig under fences, jump over fences, open gates)
You may
-
want to read, "The Dog Who Loved Too Much" by Dr. Nicholas Dodman.
- and/or "I'll Be Home Soon" by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D.
- Try more exercise.
- Try the services of a behavior modification specialist (veterinarian) for help with behavior modification training.
- Try an antidepressant such as Clomicalm.
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