FOR SEPARATION ANXIETY IN DOGS
The Anxiety of Separation (AS) is the set of unwanted behaviors displayed by dogs when they are left alone by their caregivers or are physically removed them.
The inclusion of dogs in the human family context and the consequent arising humanization narrowing of bonds are usually held responsible for such behavioral changes. As the animal live your routine organized exclusively around the link figure of his affection is usually their favorite caregiver, they develop signs of discomfort and anxiety as a response to the stress of separation. Natural attachment behavior of the canine species, as a cohesive bond of the family group, social and sound character, turns into an unhealthy behavior, of absolute dependence, creating a conflict that the animal can not solve alone.
The signs and symptoms common to this behavioral disorder are excessive vocalization (barking, crying and excessive howling), destructiveness (biting, scratching, destroy the bond figure objects such as books, furniture and clothing or access roads to this figure as doors, walls and windows), urination and defecation in inappropriate places (caregiver’s bed, carpet, door, on the slipper), depression (not eat or drink, sleep all day) or they may experience physical symptoms such as excessive salivation, tremors muscle, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, breathing difficulties of different degrees and intensities, as well as compulsive behaviors (self-mutilation – bite and lick the legs and / or objects, scratching excessively, hunting imaginary flies, chasing its own tail) and other changes smaller.
Because?
In trying to understand the likely causes for this disorder, some studies have identified possible correlations between the presentation of the signs and the factors related to the environment (physical and social) and the management of these animals. In study by ethologists of the Federal Fluminense University (UFF) with apartment dogs, we observed that dogs left alone routinely developed significantly more separation anxiety when compared to those left alone at home without so often and where carers are They struggled more not to leave the animals alone was more common incidence of separation anxiety. Clearly this study the correlation between the incidence of separation anxiety be higher in animals that do not wander daily (73.7%) than in animals wandering daily (52.1%), as well as having greater interaction with its owners demonstrated a lower incidence of AS than those who do not have minimal interaction.
Some events that we call traumatic for the life of a young dog can certainly increase the likelihood of developing AS as premature separation from the mother and the conviviality of the litter (sold or donated puppies before 70 days), a sharp change environment without an adjustment period or basic adaptive care, a change in caregiver lifestyle (vacation and return to work, start a career, death, separation, remarriage or travel a family member, birth of a baby in the house) which consequently change the routine of relationships with the dog. Similarly, an experience with hosting and training can also generate traumatic results that may predispose the dog to the disorder when they are not made properly. Also in relation to trauma, changes may occur due to fear and violent episodes in the absence of the caregiver, such as storms, explosions, domestic disputes, assaults, etc.
How to treat?
First it is important to know that the older the behavior, the more difficult the treatment and that the AS is associated to panic, it is even more reserved prognosis of treatment. In older animals the behavior should be investigated and differentiated Disorder Cognitive Senile of geriatric dogs.
The treatment of AS is made primarily correcting management of the animal with increased interaction between caregiver and dog, modification of the relations between both appropriate environmental enrichment, daily exercise, stimulation correction prior to the departure of caregiver and your return, in addition to our HOMEOPATIA each day, each case of each individual. Floral can be a good way to supplement the treatment. In the virtual store Integral Bicho you find a Bioflorais called Grace and Abandonment Syndrome http://bit.ly/Floral-carência-bandonoBI also the Biofloral Anxiety http://bit.ly/Floral-ansiedadeBI, and Biofloral http://bit.ly/Floral-estresseBI stress that can help in the treatment.
The caregiver co-participation in the desensitization process is essential in dog recovery. Often the dog get too excited in caregiver back home, with greetings and excessive attitudes, beyond normal, reaching hurt and tear their clothes. At that time, the caregiver’s attitude should be correction often ends up encouraging and accentuating such behavior. In such cases, the best course of action is not gratify carefully or snacks in departures and arrivals for this gratification seems to increase the separation anxiety. The caregiver should avoid interaction while the animal presents anxious behaviors and gratify it or reward it only when you are calm and quiet.
The need to exercise the animal’s routine, improving interaction with his caregiver and the environment is especially desired in this treatment protocol, as well as energy expenditure itself every animal life stage.
Prevent and stop pre-established behaviors prior to departure caregiver, like makeup, perfume, change the water in the water cooler, to bones and others, it is important not to predispose the anxiety behavior. Often only change the order of preparations and other, make preparations but do not complete the output, are techniques to reduce the impact of the action on the animal’s reaction.
The Environmental Enrichment is another important tool to correct this behavior because it allows redirecionemos the animal’s attention to something that entertain and occupy your time! If he has nothing to do will be much easier to be anxious and bored. Prepare fun in advance, there are several options to search the food hiding in easily accessible places at the start and then increasing the degree of difficulty gradually, plastic bottles with small holes where snacks http://bit.ly/petiscos-BI they leave as they are handled, toys that can be stuffed with snacks as http://bit.ly/kongsBI kongs, bones and chew toys http://bit.ly/petiscos-BI, toys made with reusable materials that can be made for you to him play, rip and enjoy. See this video I found you to be inspired in the making of “brincantes interests” for your http://bit.ly/fazendobrinquedosBI animal. Do not forget to always use natural and healthy snacks! No sausages and sausages!
Look for a professional approach these fixes and can help you in this process, learn from your mistakes and turn your dog a balanced and healthy individual. Look for a homeopathic veterinarian or working with floral or with traditional Chinese medicine with herbal medicine because these therapies are very helpful in the process of recovery of behavioral disorders. Bet on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Veterinary not aggressive entails consequences to the animal organism as anxiolytics as recommended by conventional medicine. Go natural, go full!
Additional information can be found in this excellent post Dog Mother made by competent educators canine.