What is Separation Anxiety, and what are the behaviors associated with this challenging condition? Head of Training & Behavior and Certified Separation Anxiety trainer, Karishma Warr, explains.

What Is Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a blanket term for a fear response that occurs in dogs when separated from either a specific person, another animal, or when left alone. We usually make the distinction between three behavioral presentations of SA:

3 Presentations of SA:

1. Isolation Related Anxiety: Often referred to as “any warm body - dogs”, this term is used to describe dogs who struggle when left alone, but are usually comfortable as long as there is somebody, anybody there with them. If isolated, without any company, these dogs will start to display escalating signs of stress.
2. Attachment Related Anxiety: Often referred to as ‘clinical separation anxiety’, this term referrs to dogs who are hyper-attached to an individual(s) and experience distress when separated from them. Even if this dog has another human with them, they will show signs of distress until reunited with their primary attachment figure(s).
3. Confinement Related Anxiety: This term refers to dogs displaying signs of additional anxiety when confined in a crate, or behind a gate. These dogs may ALSO have Attachment or Isolation related anxiety, as they often come hand-in-hand. Dogs with confinement related anxiety will do noticeably worse when confined, as opposed to left free roaming. The strong correlation between Isolation, Attachment, and Confinement Related Anxiety is why we often choose not to use a crate when working with SA.
   
   

Separation Anxiety Is A Panic Disorder.

Dogs with separation anxiety are not getting back at you for leaving, or just being ‘naughty’ dogs. The infamous ‘guilty face’ that some dogs exhibit upon guardian return is most likely a response to the shock/ concern their humans are exhibiting and an attempt to pacify and avoid punishment. When dogs with separation anxiety are left alone, they experience genuine fear, stress and panic, and are not in control of their alone time behavior.

“When dogs with separation anxiety are left alone, they experience genuine fear, stress and panic, and are not in control of their alone time behavior. ”

Behavioral Indicators Of Separation Anxiety.

There are a wide variety of behaviors that indicate an animal is suffering from Separation Anxiety. These behaviors will be observed when the dog is left alone, or about to be left alone.  

hen the dog is left alone, or about to be left alone.  

Top 3 Separation Anxiety Indicators:

1. Vocalizations
2. Destructive Behaviors
3. Elimination

Vocalizations include whining, barking and howling. Destructive behaviors are often targeted at the door or window, but can include destruction of furniture, raiding the trash etc. Elimination (peeing and pooping) can also be seen even in fully potty trained dogs.

Other Indicators:

Fixation on exit points - Trembling or shaking - Urination/ defecation - Ears pinned back - Hyper-salivation/ drooling - Hyper-vigilance - Increased Activity (pacing) - Increased Grooming - Repetitive Behaviors - Rapid Respiration - Self Mutilation - Escape Attempts - Dilated Pupils - Furrowed Brow - Wide Eyes - Tightly closed mouth - Freezing

Is Separation Anxiety Treatable?

The biggest question we get is: is separation anxiety treatable?

The good news is YES!!

One thing that can significantly speed up progress is to collaborate with a professional. Our separation anxiety specialists craft individualized daily desensitization sessions for our clients to systematically introduce alone time and minimize the development of separation anxiety.

Contact us today to set up an Initial Consultation and GET STARTED.