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BEHAVIOR
MODIFICATION BEST MEDICINE IN TREATING DOGS' SEPARATION ANXIETY
MANHATTAN
-- For the most part, Kasey is a wonderful pet. But during tax season
-- the busiest time of year for her owner, Karen -- the 2-year old
beagle's behavior takes a nose-dive. The long hours Karen is away
and the reduction in attention Kasey receives makes the pet excruciatingly
anxious, causing her to urinate on furniture in the house.
Kasey's
problem may be deeper than revenge. She may be suffering from a
disorder the canine world is beginning to take seriously -- separation
anxiety. The malady is one of the most common reasons owners euthanize
pets.
Separation
disorder, according to a Kansas State University veterinarian, becomes
a problem when pets are separated from their owners. The ailment
occurs when the pet, because of an abnormally close bond between
it and the owner, becomes extremely distressed or anxious when separated
from the owner. The four predominant signs a pet may suffer from
the malady include destructiveness, excessive salivation, excessive
vocalization or house-soiling when the owner is absent.
Cats
can also have separation anxiety, but tend to suffer from the problem
less than dogs. Cats are typically loners and not apt to get as
distressed when the owner is away. Anxiety is more common in dogs
because they tend to be social or pack animals.
Separation
anxiety seems to be more prevalent in dogs that are either raised
as orphans or shelter dogs that have been previously abandoned.
These dogs subsequently develop an "abnormally strong"
bond with the owner and will follow the owner from room to room,
never letting the owner out of sight.
That
type of bonding is inappropriate because the pet becomes too attached
and dependent. The dog needs to learn to be confident and independent.
A medication,
Clomicalm, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat
separation anxiety in dogs. The tricyclic anti-depressant is typically
not used for depression in dogs, but to reduce the anxiety associated
with separation and facilitate behavioral modification.
Dogs
can be given medication for a specified period of time, in which
the dog can relax, be less anxious and more confident. Owners should
help their dog relax and not reinforce anxious behavior.
While
some are heralding the drug as a speedy cure, Clomicalm alone is
not the answer for treating separation anxiety. The drug should
be used in combination with "behavior modification" for
the pet. Behavior modification for separation anxiety includes not
making a big production about leaving or rewarding the dog for being
anxious.
Owners
should ignore the pet for 20-30 minutes prior to leaving to avoid
an abrupt discrepancy from giving it lots of attention, then leaving.
A pet's anxiety is less worse if an owner tries to ignore their
pet before leaving and just quietly slips out the door.
Another
part of behavior modification for separation anxiety includes teaching
the dog to relax when the owner comes home. Owners should ignoring
a jumping dog, waiting until the dog settles down before acknowledging
its presence.
Behavior
modification alone can help the animal overcome this problem; however,
in many instances time is of the utmost essence in the training
process.
Often
by the time an owner has consulted with a vet, they're at the point
where either the dog goes or they get the problem fixed. Having
six months to work with anxious dogs might not be an option, and
a quicker time of improvement is needed. That's when medication
is typically used.
Clomicalm
is not for every dog. Dog owners should consult with their veterinarian
first to see if the drug is a proper treatment option for their
pet.
Updated
July 2005
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