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Soothing Separation
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Helping Anxious Dogs to Cope
S
by Julie Peterson
eparation anxiety is a common canine problem, diagnosed in as many as 40 percent of dogs seen by veterinary behavioral specialists. When the dog is left alone, it may serenade the neighbors, soil the house or cause damage. Stories abound of unstuffed couches, dug-up floors, destroyed window coverings and dog injury from chewing out of a crate or trying to escape through windows. In an article on separation anxiety syndrome (SAS) in the Journal of American Veterinary Medicine, Stefanie Schwartz, DVM, cites several studies that agree on common risk factors for SAS in dogs: history of traumatic separation,
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inexperience with being alone, excessive greetings and prolonged departures by owners, relocation and changes in routine or family structure. Symptoms vary in scope and degree, but SAS is painful for both dog and parent. Repeatedly returning home to complaints from neighbors or considerable damage can cause owners to surrender their dogs.
Get the Diagnosis
If a dog is acting out, an assessment is needed to ensure that what seems like SAS isn’t caused by underlying conditions. Boredom, illness or canine cognitive dysfunction could result in actions and symp-
