Your Dog recently held an online webinar discussing separation anxiety with expert dog trainer Tony Cruse (TC).
Presented by James Buzzel (JB).
JB: Tony thank you for joining us. Shall we start by defining, what is separation anxiety?
TC: I’d like to quote Jean Donaldson, a dog expert based in America who wrote a book called ‘The Culture Clash,’ which is considered one of the best books on dogs. She states, “Separation anxiety can be a heartbreaking issue for dogs and their families. The key to addressing it is with empathy, understanding, and a well-structured behavioural modification plan.” She recognises that it is a very difficult issue to deal with, not just for the dogs but for everybody involved.
Another dog expert, Nicole Wilde, also emphasizes this point, saying, “Dogs with separation anxiety are telling us that they are afraid of being alone.” It’s essential to highlight that this behaviour is not due to a dog being naughty or dominant; it’s simply a fear and anxiety that is causing it.
JB: That’s a nice way to describe it. I’d imagine there are a lot of misconceptions about separation anxiety. TC: Yes, indeed, it’s a widely misunderstood issue. Years ago, people used to punish dogs for their errors (anxiety), which is the worst thing to do to a dog already scared. We need to understand that the dog is in distress, which is why we observe these behaviours. These behaviours are the dog’s way of coping. In severe cases of separation anxiety, you might witness defecation or urination when the owner is not present. Excessive barking can also be a problem, adding pressure not only on the owner but also on the neighbours. Whining and scratching at doors, floors, exits, and entries are common signs. Another significant issue is that dogs often can’t eat; their digestive system shuts down. You can leave them their favourite treat, say goodbye, but when you return, the food or treat remains untouched. This can be a good indicator to establish whether it’s separation anxiety or something else. The bottom line is that the dog is in distress. It can be quite easy to determine this if the dog isn’t eating. This is similar to how humans react to stress; when we’re highly stressed, we often lose our appetite, entering a kind of ‘fight or flight’ survival mode. These signs aren’t exclusive to separation anxiety; they can manifest in other forms of anxiety in the dog world.
In some cases, dog owners have spoken with me convinced that their dog has separation
