East Valley K9 Services

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K9 Separation Anxiety – Sorry, It Is NOT All About You

Name: East Valley K9 Training Services
Address: 4120 East Fairview Circle, Mesa, AZ, 85206, USA
Telephone: 480-382-0144
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After studying 2,757 dogs (including over 100 breeds), researchers concluded that the absence of the owner(s) is not what fuels this potentially disruptive and destructive canine behavior.

K9 Separation Anxiety – Sorry, It Is NOT All About You

K9 Separation Anxiety – Sorry, It Is NOT All About You!

K9 Separation Anxiety is a natural stress response when some dogs are left alone. Typically, it happens to dogs who are too attached to their humans.

This separation anxiety can trigger

disruptive or destructive behaviors.

But there may also be another side to this behavior where it does not have

anything to do with you!

K9 Separation Anxiety: The Basics

K9 separation anxiety causes come canines to become agitated, stressed, anxious or even depressed when left home alone.

Separation Anxiety: Common Signs and Symptoms

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Not all dogs will experience separation anxiety and not all dogs who do experience it will react in the same way. But there are some common symptoms and signs behind this response as the dog tries to relieve its stress, anxiety, fear and distress.

· Barking & Howling

· Panting & Drooling

· Shaking & Pacing

· Chewing, Digging, Scratching

· Escaping from a crate, room or home

· Urinating and Defecating

· Coprophagia: where a dog defecates and then consumes it

Also, it’s important to note that separation anxiety may be connected to an underlying medical condition. Work with your vet to rule out any potential medical issues first.

But again, dog separation anxiety may be about more than just the human leaving the home. Recent research published in the academic journal, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, offered another reason why K9 separation anxiety happens.

K9 Separation Anxiety: It is NOT All About You!

After studying 2,757 dogs (including over 100 breeds), researchers concluded that the absence of the owner(s) is not what fuels this potentially disruptive and destructive canine behavior.

Instead, scientists from the University of Lincoln in Britain suggest that it is frustration that is creating K9 separation anxiety. Co-author Daniel Mills warns, “Labelling the problem of the dog who is being destructive, urinating or defecating indoors or vocalising when left alone as separation anxiety is not very helpful.” In other words, “separation anxiety” is not a definitive diagnosis nor does it provide a solid foundation for successful treatment.

Instead, the animal behavior specialists specified four key forms of frustration as the basis of dog separation anxiety.

K9 Separation Anxiety: It IS All About Frustration!

The study concluded that the dog’s behavior was not triggered by the owner’s departure or absence, but instead by an underlying frustration.

The four identified forms of K9 frustration include:

1. Reactions to external noises or events.

2. Wanting to get to something

3. Boredom.

4. Or the desire to get away from something in the house.

The secret is to figure out WHY your pet is frustrated and acting out.

K9 Separation Anxiety: Next Steps

Whether you accept K9 separation anxiety being due to frustration rather than your absence, what’s critical is effectively and quickly addressing the behaviors.

“Our new research suggests that frustration

in its various forms is very much

at the heart of the problem and we need to

understand this variety if we hope to

offer better treatments for dogs.”

(Co-author Mills)

Solutions may include more exercise, interactive dog toys or even a dog walker, but it’s important to get to the root causes of dog separation anxiety to create a happier, well-balanced and confident dog. If you’re unsure how to proceed,

reach out to a local dog trainer or behaviorist for expert help and support!

We can help in the Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe and East Valley areas of Arizona!!