Question: We have a 2-year-old Cockapoo named Simon who cannot be left alone. I have taken movies of him for two hours (hidden camera) when alone. He barks, cries and jumps all over the door and walls while we were gone. We keep him with us all day long, and if we wish to go out to dinner, and he sees us getting dressed or even just putting on our shoes, he gets nervous. He spends 90 percent of the day on my lap. Any suggestions? – Gary
Answer: It sounds like Simon has ?separation anxiety?. Dogs that have separation anxiety are afraid of being alone. They may cry and pace after the owner leaves. Often they will urinate or defecate. They may claw at doors or windows and destroy items in the house.
This is a serious problem and tends to get worse as the dog gets older. Dogs with separation anxiety need to have a training program to help them control their fears. They often take their cues from the owner?s departure routines. Putting on shoes or picking up keys can start the anxiety.
To help Simon, you can start with basic obedience exercises like sit, stay, and down. Give your dog a reward for good behavior. When he is good at this, practice putting him in a down stay and try leaving the room. Gradually leave the room for longer periods of time and always reward him for being good.
Then try small steps like putting one shoe on, then taking it off. Pick up the keys then put them down. Put on your coat then take it off. Reward him for staying calm. As you progress with these exercises, start enriching your dog?s life with puzzle food toys. Instead of inhaling his food in a couple of seconds, it will make it fun and challenging to find and eat his food. You can then leave him with food in a puzzle toy while you exit the house. Leave a TV or radio on for him.
Make sure that you are very quiet and indifferent when you come home. Overzealous greetings can sometimes make for more anxiety upon departure.
It will take a long time before Simon will feel comfortable when you are gone. Dogs with severe separation anxiety can often benefit from medications. Prescription drugs like Clomicalm and Reconcile are approved for dogs with separation anxiety. They are taken daily but it may be several weeks before they reach their full potential. You can try DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) therapy. DAP is a ?feel good? pheromone that has been made into a spray, or a diffuser, or a collar.
Your veterinarian may also suggest a short-acting drug for anxiety to fill in until your dog is refocused. Many dogs do well in a doggy daycare while you are at work. Some dogs do better if they are conditioned to confinement in a dog crate or airline type kennel as their safe calm spot. Other dogs do better if they have the whole house to roam.
For more information on separation anxiety go to www.veterinarypartners.com.
Dr. Baker
Dr. Susan Baker
Baker Veterinary Clinic
1801 S. Congress Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Read more articles by Dr. Baker | Ask her a question
Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2012/11/08/cockapoo-has-serious-separation-anxiety/
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