What is separation related distress (isolation distress)?
Separation related distress (SRD) can be described as anxiety - and anxiety related behaviours - triggered by reduced social contact (this can be to a person or another animal).
For some dogs this can be anxiety triggered when they are simply left alone in a room. For some dogs it is anxiety triggered when no-one else is home. For others it may occur only when a particular person (or other dog) is gone. For some dogs it may be all of the above.
One of the biggest difficulties in the treatment of separation anxiety is that each case is very individual.
What causes separation related distress (srd) ?
Dogs are a social species so it is natural for them to prefer to be in company, but he truth is we don't always know what causes separation issues. There are many factors which may contribute to a dog's separation distress. How many of these could apply to your dog?
- GENETICS
Some breeds appear to have a higher incidence of separation anxiety. Studies are ongoing and we may know more about this in the next decade
Breeds bred to work closely with handler may have a higher need for social contact.
- SINGLE PERSON HOUSEHOLD
A dog may become more attached to their owner in a single person household, or they may spend more time alone than in a multi person home (which could create anxiety).
- FEMALE OWNER
Some studies suggest that dogs owned by women are more prone to SRD.
- GENDER
Again some studies suggest male dogs are more prone to SRD, though not all the studies agree with this finding.
- NO HOME-ALONE TRAINING IN PUPPYHOOD
This is a commonly overlooked area of training. It is important to gradually increase the length of time your puppy is left alone.
If you take two weeks off work and spend 24 hours with your puppy and then suddenly go back to work leaving your pup for 3 hours, this can be very upsetting for them.
If you have a busy houseshold - where there is always someone home - then it is especially important that during puppyhood you agree on days and times to practice home-alone training.
- HEALTH CONDITIONS
Feeling unwell can make dogs more sensitive to social isolation. If your dog suffers from SRD it is a good idea to have a health check up and blood work done by your vet to rule out health issues.
- TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE
If your dog is at home and the mail comes into the letterbox and lands on their head, or a smoke alarm goes off, this can be a potentially scary experience. Events that your dog experiences when home-alone can trigger anxiety.
- LEAVING PUPPY HOME-ALONE TOO LONG
Puppies under 4/5 months will need to toilet every couple of hours, so I recommend 1-2 hours maximum home-alone time. Leaving a puppy home-alone too long can create anxiety about being by themselves. If you leave your puppy in a crate and they soil in the crate this can be distressing for them. Arrange for puppy comfort visits where they can get out to toilet and play if you do have to leave your puppy longer.
- INCONSISTENT FAMILY DYNAMICS
Studies have shown that homes where family dynamics are inconsistent can create anxiety. If you have a family member who works away from home, or one who is frequently unwell, this can have an impact on your dog's home-alone confidence.
- INCONSISTENT ENVIRONMENT
Moving home can trigger SRD in some dogs. When you move home, take time to settle your dog in by gradually building up the time you leave them alone.
- PUNITIVE TRAINING METHODS
If you use punishment based methods (spray collars, e-collars, shouting, hitting, yanking, spraying with water) these can increase negative emotions and increase overall anxiety in your dog. Dogs of any breed can be trained to do many complex things without punishment.
- OVER ATTACHMENT TO OWNER
If you spend a lot of time with your dog that may create over-attachment. It is important that dog's learn to be confident when they are alone too. Practice leaving them in another room when you are doing things.
- PUNISHING/SUPPRESSING THE SYMPTOMS OF DISTRESS
If your dog is howling because they are home alone then you may be tempted to use a spray collar to punish the barking. It may work to reduce barking but is likely to increase the anxiety your dog feels and this is likely to increase other symptoms. It is better to identify the root cause of the behaviour and work to make your dog feel better about being alone. This can only be done effectively by helping your dog learn that being alone isn't so scary.
What are the symptoms of separation related distress / isolation distress?
There are many symptoms that can indicate SRD. Some dogs have one or two, some have many. Some may howl intermittently, some may bark constantly. Each case is very individual and this is why successful behaviour modification is difficult without the full assessment and support of a qualified behaviourist.
BEHAVIOUR SYMPTOMS
BEHAVIOUR SYMPTOMS
These behaviours may often be missed by owners as they are subtle and may only occur in their absence.
- excessive yawning
- licking/air gulping
- restless
- pacing
These behaviours are more obvious and may lead to destruction of items within the home and complaints from neighbours.
- barking
- whining
- howling
- shredding items
- panting
- excessive chewing
- very "hyper" greeting when you come home
- urinating
- defecating
These behaviours indicate a level of distress that could lead to your dog causing harm to himself. Seek professional advice and try not to leave your dog home alone until you can get help.
- self mutiliation (licking skin raw, plucking fur)
- sweating (moist footprints)
- diarrhoea
- visual scanning (hyper vigilance)
- injury to claws, mouth, feet
- escape behaviours (usually causing damage to doors and windows)
- vomiting
- depression
- constipation
- following a person around constantly (velcro dog)
- drooling
No matter how subtle the indicators are, separation distress is likely to adversely affect your pet's quality of life and every effort should be made to help build your pet's confidence and reduce their distress.
TREATING SEPARATION DISTRESS
BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION PROGRAMME
TREATING SEPARATION DISTRESS
BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION PROGRAMME
Without a doubt the best way to treat SRD is to work with a qualified behaviourist. Seek a behaviourist who is able to demonstrate academic knowledge and experience with these issues. Preferably find a behaviourist who is willing to provide a reference from a client they have worked on separation issues with.
Seek a behaviourist who will provide a thorough assessment of the symptoms and possible causes. Avoid any behaviourist who refer to your failure as a "pack leader" or intend to use any scary things (spraying water, citronella collars, shock/vibration/e-collars, scary sounds). This type of training may suppress some of the symptoms but it is likely to make your dog feel worse.
If your budget is limited then discuss this at the outset with the behaviourist. This will allow the behaviourist to assess the best way to maximise your budget.
**If you need help finding a behaviourist please join Dog Training Advice Scotland on facebook**
**If you need help finding a behaviourist please join Dog Training Advice Scotland on facebook**
WHAT KIND OF THINGS ARE LIKELY TO HELP?
You are unlikey to resolve SRD with just one change. Successful treatment programmes will include a variety of elements, such as:
- desensitising your dog to the signals that you are going to leave
- improving your dog's general confidence
- reducing anxiety in other areas of your dog's life
- anxiety reducing medications & pheromones
- providing a safe, secure environment
- diet changes
- lifestyle changes
- owner behaviour changes
- preventing distress (dog sitter, dog walker) during training
- changes to exercise regime
- providing games that provide an outlet for your dog's natural drives
Your behaviourist will liase with your vet and may include anti anxiety medication within the treatment programme.
Your pet insurance policy may cover some behaviour modification with an APBC behaviourist (www.apbc.org.uk), please check your insurance policy to find out.
Separation distress is not usually a quick fix. It can take weeks, months or even years of dedicated training to fully resolve. Please do not let this commitment put you off. That does not mean you need to see a behaviourist every week.
What if you cannot afford a behaviourist?
What if you cannot afford a behaviourist?
I cannot stress enough the value to you and your dog's quality of life that a good behaviourist can bring. Even with professional guidance srd is not always straight forward to treat.
If you still feel that professional help is outwith your means then here are some resources to help you:
BOOKS & E-BOOKS
The ebook is available here: E-BOOK (£8)
The booklet is available here BOOKLET
The ebook is available here E-BOOK (£10)
Book PAPERBACK BOOK (£13.50)
If you do not full understand the reasons and steps for the training methods it is very easy to accidentally "poision" a tool, which may increase your dog's anxiety. No one tool is likely to be totally effective. Treating separation issues will often require you to use many tools. However, before you try to use a training tool or method, please make sure you understand fully how to use it effectively. Otherwise it can accidentally increase your dog's anxiety.
Below you will find a list of common errors.
- SAFE PLACE
Many owners will create a lovely safe space (den area) for their dog but then they only put their dog in it when they are going to be alone. The safe space becomes a bad place to be very quickly.
If you are creating a safe place then your dog should learn to be safe in there when you ARE home first. Feed them there, play with them, sit nearby. Only when they choose to go there and love their den can it be helpful when they are home alone.
- ADAPTIL (DAP)
The dog appeasing pheromone is unlikely to work as a stand alone tool. It may help reduce the distress. So if your dog anxiety is level 5 it may reduce to level 4. Owners often give up on adaptil because the issue is not "solved". If it even makes a small, positive impact this can help your dog a little. Any reduction in distress is a benefit to your dog.
- KONG TOY/FOOD TOY
If you only give a kong or food filled toy when you are about to leave it quickly becomes another red flag to tell your dog they are about to be alone. If you are using a food toy then all meals should be given from this toy when you are home too.
Using a food toy can be a really effective way to help your dog relax but you have to understand how to use it properly. If your dog is too anxious to eat when you leave then you may need to look at other ways to reduce anxiety first.
- PLAYING THE TV/RADIO
If your dog is a bit sound sensitive then this may make actually them feel more anxious. If you only put the radio or TV on when you are leaving it becomes a big red flag to trigger off anxiety earlier.
- GETTING ANOTHER DOG
This can be a common mistake and you may end up with 2 anxious dogs! Before thinking about getting another dog you should do some testing to see if another dog reduces your dog's anxiety. This really would be best done with the supervision of a dog trainer or behaviourist.
It can work for some dogs, but more commonly the separation issues are caused by separation from humans.
Separation distress can vary widely in severity and may affect different dogs in different ways. Medical causes should be ruled out with a vet check before embarking on a treatment programme. Your highest chance of successfully treating separation distress is to work with a properly qualified and experienced behaviourist. If you really cannot afford a behaviourist then spend time reading the books and resources given above, before starting. GOOD LUCK.
**Please leave a comment or feedback below** Thank you
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