Separation Distress and the Rescue Dog

Note from Con Slobodchikoff: This is a post by guest author Nancy Frensley, CPDT, CAP2, who is Manager of Behavior and Training at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society in Berkeley, California. She will write periodic posts about the behavioral challenges and joys of shelter dogs.

 

Separation distress is the term used to describe mild, short lived vocalizations, household destruction and other dependency behaviors. Separation anxiety is considered a medical condition and is usually characterized by extreme expressions of distress that can include shivering, drooling and extreme destruction around doorways and windows. Both are a result of excessive attachment to a place, person or animal. It is not surprising that some dogs adopted from shelters become distressed in this way. Unable to control the environment while being moved from place to place and then going into a shelter, the dog can become confused and frustrated. Once the dog is placed into a home setting, with people who love him, it is easy for the dog to become excessively attached. When distressed, the dog can act out with the tools nature has provided: vocalizing, shredding things and seeking a way to rejoin those who make them feel safe.

 

At the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society (BEBHS), we adopt out many dogs every week. A small percentage of these dogs, at some point, may exhibit distressed behavior when left alone. BEBHS helps people to prevent separation problems with their new dogs through careful counseling. Odds are if the adopter stays committed to the program there will be a successful outcome.

 

Dogs that over-bond show this tendency in a number of subtle ways. It is important to recognize these early signs. The dog might refuse to leave the house or to go out with anyone but the chosen person. The dog may shadow their chosen person, following them from room to room, panting. In a worst-case scenario, the dog could start guarding the chosen person, threatening or snapping if others try to touch him. The dog may vocalize continually when unable to join the person. Dogs that are having significant separation issues may also drool excessively when confined, such as in a dog crate, as well as shiver uncontrollably. If left alone with the run of the house, the dog might continually go to doors and windows and destruction will usually occur around these openings. Attempts to escape the crate may result in injuries to teeth and gums. If it comes to this point, the dog will require professional medical and behavioral help.

 

Preventing separation problems is largely a matter of providing a structure in which the dog can learn to feel safe while left alone. Prevention from day one is the best way to keep over-bonding (or, as it is called in the lexicon of behavior, "hyper-attachment") from occurring. Since the cause of dependency is usually abrupt change rather than gradual growth toward independence, setting the dog up with a routine so that he is left alone for a short and tolerable period of time is a good beginning. Using an indoor tie-down with a pen or crate will allow the person to go from room to room in your house without the dog following.

 

Get the dog to enjoy chewing items, such as bully sticks or food-stuffed rubber toys before confining him with them. When the chew toy is placed into the confined space, sit near it for the first few sessions. Encourage the dog to chew. Once the dog is using the chew toy, start walking away for a short time (about a minute). Upon return, praise the dog in a soft soothing voice and release him for play time. As the days go on, the dog will become more comfortable with his family being in another room or outside the house for a longer period of time. Other routines that will help the dog to gain independence are to ask for simple obedience skills when the dog solicits affection and attention. Keep returns and greetings quiet and calm instead of happy and exuberant.

 

Simple little routines along with an awareness of dependent behaviors can make a big difference in the adopted dog's long-term adjustment.

Comments

[frank]

Our 4 -5 year old SharPei has had 4 homes. We are her 4th home. She is welcomed to stay, have treated her with loving care, has food, shelter, a nice yard to poop in (ha)and so on. She has companionship from our other two Shar Peis. They are getting along so far. Question: why is she growling at me when I tell her to come into the house for more comfort and protection from the elements? Hurt.

[wooden dog crate]

Well if your dog is suffering from stress, a good place to put him or her in is a wooden dog crate. Steel or plastic crates can get very cold sometimes. Wooden dog crates are good insulators as well.

[rene mcdonald]

sometimes rescue dogs settle quicker than the average dog. i find it's the small insecure handbag sized dogs that cause more problems than any other because they're not treated like a dog and spoiled like a child... i find rescue dogs to be quite savvy, they can suss out who's for real and who's not genuine regarding their welfare

[dog crate]

i agree people need to be very patient, need to long time for rescue dogs

[dog insurance]

rescue dogs are the hardest. people need to be very patient.

[Kate]

It would really take some time to deal with separation anxiety with rescue dogs...Apparently, adjustments can also varies with different dogs although in general, it will definitely take a lot of effort to deal with it.

[Stop Dog Biting]

Companion dogs commonly experience states of anxiety, fears, and phobias. Separation anxiety and noise aversions,are especially prevalent. Veterinarians are encouraged to recognize and treat such conditions on first presentation to address welfare issues and optimize successful management.