In the past few years, the term “separation anxiety” has been bandied about in training and veterinary circles, yet there are no hard and fast statistics about it–not only is it hard to diagnose, but training approaches to defining and solving this issue are often controversial and confusing.
If you have an anxious dog and have ruled out medical issues with your vet, how can you tell if he actually has separation anxiety or if he’s just destructive in general? What are the myths surrounding this problem? What are appropriate methods to alleviate it? Should you ever use medications? What are your options?
To get the real scoop, I recently talked with internationally known trainer and canine behavior specialist Nicole Wilde. Her book, Don’t Leave Me! Step-by-Step Help for Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety, offers an innovative protocol to help you build your dog’s confidence and change his behavior from worried to more nonchalant when you leave.
Nicole’s unique “outside the box” approaches are based on tried and true scientific methods and on her own experiences that she used with her own dog Sierra, and with her clients’ dogs. (Nicole’s credentials appear at the end of this post.)
In this first of a three-part interview, Nicole discusses the definitions, causes, how we can help the suffering dog, and clues about separation anxiety when adopting a dog.
What is separation anxiety (SA) and what isn’t SA? Some of us don’t know the difference and have misconceptions about SA if the symptoms are similar.
Separation anxiety is the emotional distress experienced by a dog when separated from a particular person or persons. This differs from “isolation
Have you come home to this?
distress,” which is when a dog simply does not like to be left alone. It is important to differentiate between separation anxiety, isolation distress, and a dog who is simply destructive or not completely potty trained.
What are the causes of SA? Can SA be a learned behavior?
There can be many causes for separation issues. Sometimes a family adopts a dog when one person is between jobs, or over a long holiday when they’re all at home. When the schedule changes and the dog is suddenly left alone more, he can’t cope.
Another common cause is when a dog has been rehomed. Often the dog feels at sea, as though he might be abandoned again. These dogs can take a while to settle in.
Experiencing a traumatic incident can also lead to a dog not wanting to be left alone. There is an amazing story in my book about a dog who, with his owner, walked in on a robbery in progress. Before the incident he had never had behavioral problems but immediately after, he developed quite a case of separation anxiety.
As far as separation anxiety being a learned behavior, it’s possible that if one dog in the family has it, it could cause the other dog to become more anxious than usual, although I’m not sure the second dog would then have a true separation issue.
Are some dog owners actually creating SA by encouraging certain behaviors? I know some people like “velcro” dogs. What are some of our own behaviors we should avoid to prevent fostering SA?
Being with your dog constantly and then leaving him alone can encourage a separation problem. But it’s a common myth that practices such as allowing a dog to sleep in your bed or “coddling” him will actually cause a separation issue—although doing those things won’t help if he’s already got one.
It’s true that many dogs with separation anxiety will follow people around—the “Velcro” dogs you mentioned—but not all do. Sierra, the dog I adopted from the shelter (who was the inspiration for my book), preferred to lie outdoors on the ramp in back of the house as long as she knew I was inside. But if I left, she fell apart. It’s important to note that not every separation anxiety issue is a textbook type case.
If you are planning to adopt a dog, is there a way to know if he has SA before bringing him home?
Great question! And I wish there were a great answer. Before we adopted Sierra, we found out she’d been in the shelter four times; that doesn’t bode well for a dog feeling secure when left alone. But although many dogs in shelters and rescues can have separation issues, they certainly don’t all have them, and I would hate to dissuade anyone from adopting.
If you are adopting a dog, the adjective “escape artist” might be a clue that the dog also has a separation issue, and is escaping in order to go after the owners; but that’s not always the case, and digging deeper is warranted.
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Part II of this interview series: Nicole offers advice about how to help your dog feel safer and calmer through management techniques and protocols, discusses the crate controversy, and provides tips and suggestions for building your dog’s confidence.
Part III of this interview series: Nicole talks about innovative ways to manage your dog’s anxiety when you leave, including calming techniques, the crate controversy, and how to build your dog’s confidence.
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Nicole Wilde is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and internationally recognized author and lecturer. Her nine books include So You Want to be a Dog Trainer, Help for Your Fearful Dog, and Don’t Leave Me! Step-by-Step Help for Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety. In addition to working with dogs, Nicole has worked with wolves and wolfdogs for over fifteen years and is considered an expert in the field.
Nicole is on the Advisory Board of the Companion Animal Sciences Institute, the educational branch for the International Institute for Applied Companion Animal Behavior, and an Advisory Board member for the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals. Nicole writes an Ask the Expert column for Modern Dog Magazine, and blogs for Dog Star Daily, Victoria Stilwell’s Positively Expert blog, and her own site, Wilde About Dogs. You can find Nicole on Facebook at Nicole Wilde, Author and on Twitter at @NicoleWilde.
Note: In March 2011, I blogged about Lacey, a beautiful tri-colored 2-year-old Border Collie from Western Border Collie Rescue when Petfinder ran their Adopt the Internet Day campaign. See the original post here, then read below for the rest of the story!
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1 year 6 months, 2 weeks and 4 days.
Lacey
It took that long for Lacey to find her forever home. Just yesterday, right after I got back from a Western Border Collie reunion, I got this message on Facebook from Lacey’s foster mom, Jessica Cumpsten:
“I just wanted to let you know that Little Miss Lacey got adopted!
Was that amazing news, or what? I couldn’t believe it–I had actually thought Jessica was going to have Lacey for the long haul. And the story got even more interesting.
“A very sweet and kind lady with three kids adopted Jobie [A more confident Border Collie who Jessica also fostered] in April. They have an older Border Collie and just lost their Golden, so they wanted to get a companion for their older girl. Jobie was their man! When they came to meet him, Lacey tugged at their heart strings. At that time, they spent half their time (and half their treats) getting Lacey to come up to them.”
Jobie
It was hard for the family to leave Lacey behind, knowing that she had a tough time coping in the world without Jobie. But Jessica gave them sage advice.
“I suggested they really focus on Jobie, getting him settled and see how he and their older dog bond before adding a 3rd dog to the mix. My fear was that Jobie would not bond as well to their older dog if he had Lacey distracting him all the time as, Jobie and Lacey were very good romping and wrestling buds.”
Lacey and Jobie Romping On Their Meeting Day
Serendipity
Jessica continues the story:
“The adopter said that Jobie and her Border Collie get along very well, but when she set up a play date with a friend’s dog, she realized that Jobie was missing the wrestling and romping factor he had with Lacey, so they asked if they could take her for the day and see how things went. One day turned into three, and three has now turned into forever. The family is very in tune to Lacey’s needs, and Lacey is surprising us all–she is actually going up to the kids for attention and even wants to sleep in the kids rooms at night!”
Timing is Everything
It was good timing, too. According to Jessica, Lacey had just started making leaps in sociability within the last three months. As if she knew that she and Jobie would reunite only if she made the valiant effort (although I don’t tend to believe that dogs know these things, it sure sounds about right in this case). For example, at the dog park about a week before the family decided to finally adopt her, she was randomly walking up to people for attention. Talk about leaps–amazing, considering her history.
Good Fostering Pays Off
Jessica deserves huge accolades in working with fearful Lacey for so long, making her more confident and skilled so that she could get adopted! How many of you would hold onto a foster that long, without either giving up or adopting her yourself?
Lacey was Jessica’s 18th foster–number 19 is coming next week. I have only good feelings about Lacey and any dog that Jessica fosters.
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Today is Petfinder‘s 15th birthday–and they’re asking all of us to spread the word about adoptable pets for Adopt the Internet Day!
My choice? Lacey, a beautiful tri-colored 2-year-old Border Collie, who is listed on Petfinder from one of my favorite adoption places, Western Border Collie Rescue.
OK, you all know that I adopted a fearful Border Collie that I found on Petfinder in 2002–a fearful dog is always challenging, yet rewarding. That’s why I picked Lacey as my Adopt the Internet dog–in the right home, she’ll blossom!
Lacey’s Story
Lacey in January snowlight
Lacey’s story isn’t that different from many pets up for adoption, but it’s still important. Her amazing foster mom gave us this account.
In November 2009, an Eagle Colorado animal shelter worker contacted Western Border Collie Rescue about two very scared Border Collies: Cotton, Lacey’s mom, and Lacey, the last pup left in her litter. Cotton’s owner was moving (how many times do we hear that?) and he didn’t want the burden. Lacey was only 3 months old. Both Lacey and her mom spent 3 months at the shelter before Western Border Collie Rescue sprang them and placed the two fearful dogs in a foster home.
Then, a sad turn. Cotton became very sick. Vet testing revealed that she was suffering from Immune Mediated Polyarthritis, a serious joint disease. The rescue decided that Cotton and Lacey be separated so that Cotton could work on getting better and Lacey could learn how to become more confident in a new environment.
Luckily for Cotton, her new foster mom decided to adopt Cotton. But Lacey was not so lucky. For the first 3 months in her foster home, Lacey shut down and hid as far away as possible when people would come near. Her daily routine was staying away from open spaces, sticking close to walls, hiding under tables or huddling in corners. Scared, unable to cope.
Lacey And Other Dogs
But, Lacey’s foster mom soon realized that Lacey felt safe when she was around other dogs–she was comfortable with them. No matter
Lacey showing off her one headlight
what size, breed, color or age, if there was another dog around, Lacey seemed happy romping, wrestling, running at the speed of light, chasing–you name it, if there’s a dog around, she’s up for anything!
Lacey’s Progress with Humans
Lacey asks for human attention in her own special way. Her foster mom says that, maybe two or three times a night during TV-watching time, Lacey “sneaks up, get real close,” and then put her head down on the nearest lap. Once Lacey gets about 5 seconds of petting, she sneaks away.
The good news is, Lacey is starting to show signs of trust in her foster mom’s friends and some family members–HUGE steps from the scared little dog in the corner. Her foster mom recounts another milestone: 1 year, 1 month and 12 days after arrival, Lacey mastered the cue “sit!” To
Ready to play!
her foster mom, that was a sign “that Lacey could do what any other dog can do.”
Lacey’s Hope
Lacey came to her foster home on December 4, 2009–it’s the only real home she has ever known. She will probably never be a bomb-proof, totally confident, happy go-lucky dog. She might always be afraid of new situations and may never want more than 5 seconds of attention at a time. She needs a family who wants her for who she is. The family will need patience, training, and the ability to understand that small steps are really huge steps in this little girl’s life.
For example, her foster mom is thrilled that Lacey chooses to sleep with her every now and then. The most important things that Lacey needs in her life, according to her foster mom, “are humans that will accept her for who she is, love her even when it seems she doesn’t want it, give her a home with at least one other dog, provide a warm bed in a quiet corner to rest her head, and maybe a few romps in the snow in the winter and a few splashes in a river or lake in the summer. Is that too much to ask?”
No, it’s not! To find out more about Lacey, see her Petfinder profile. And if you’re interested in adopting her, I’ll pay half of her adoption fee!
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The barking begins every morning at around 6 a.m. in my cozy Louisville, Colorado neighborhood, alerting that dog owners are leaving for work. However, one voice is not heard: Duke, Dan Antaya’s Pit Bull mix. Because of a Louisville city ordinance passed in 2006, Duke was banished from Antaya’s home and is living with friends in a city where Pit Bulls are legal.
Duke's speckled face
“The struggle to find housing where Duke, my other dog Tyler, and I could live together started about a year ago when I relocated to Colorado. I was finally able to find something about 6 months ago, but even though the property owners had no issue,” the house was in Louisville, says Antaya, who owns K9 Consulting Services, a Longmont, Colorado dog training company. He also runs the Pit Bull Advocacy and Education program (more about that later).
“Now that the lease is up, I am unable to find housing again, partially due to both dogs weighing more than 50 lbs. but very much related to the type of dog Duke is, and the amount of cities in Colorado enforcing breed bans, we may have to leave the state.”
Does Banning Pit Bulls Make Sense?
Breed Specific Legislation, or BSL, is well-known and controversial, as described in this For Pit’s Sake blog post. We’ve all heard the pro and con arguments to allowing certain breeds into a city. And there are setbacks even in cities that allow the breed.
How Do Breed Bans Affect Individuals And Cities?
For Antaya, “BSL affects me in the sense that I must live apart from my dog due to the city ordinance, and also prevents me from taking him to other cities that ban the breed. I fear of having him seized just for passing through to get to another location.” Besides that, many great pit bull owners don’t have the opportunity to show what good citizens their dogs are in cities in which they are banned. Thus, people tend to shun those breeds.
Why? One reason, according to the National Canine Research Council:
“While serious attacks by dogs are very rare, the intense media coverage that may accompany such an incident can mislead the public and/or lawmakers into imagining that dogs pose a significant threat to the community. Sensationalized publicity, combined with a lack of understanding of the infrequency of dog attacks, and of their causes, has resulted in reactive and uniformed policies directed against certain types of dogs. In no other American city has this dynamic played itself out more tragically than in Denver” and other Colorado breed ban areas.
The problems often arise as with any other breed (which, by the way, have dog bite histories, according to the Canine Research Council) when an owner is irresponsible and lets their dogs run outside without supervision, and when they don’t train their dogs to be good citizens.
Duke’s Story
Antaya says that Duke’s story with him began when “one of the rescue organizations I was with in Arizona took Duke out of the county kill shelter.”
Duke playing in the snow
Duke could only go to a few shelters in Colorado because of the numerous Colorado breed bans. Duke landed in the Longmont Humane Society, where Antaya works as an adoption counselor. “Duke was considered a problem dog at 3 months. Because I was overwhelmed with my current fosters, he had to wait for 2 months before I could work with him.”
After Antaya’s training, “not only did he become a model dog, he became a perfect ambassador for Bully Breeds.” Antaya adopted Duke after fostering him for only 4 days. “While I have formed a bond with the many fosters I had prior to him, he met all the criteria I had for a possible addition to the family. I realized his potential very early on.”
The Longmont Humane Society takes a majority of Pit Bull mixes in Colorado. “Due to the breed bans in Denver, Aurora and Louisville, we see a majority of the Pit Bulls or Pit Bull mixes in the area that are being surrendered or caught by Animal Control. They, unfortunately, are the slowest to get adopted. When I watch visitors walk past the kennels, they seem to migrate to the other breeds and barely glance in the run with a Pit Bull in it. Longmont Humane offers a training class just for Pit Bulls called P.I.T.S.T.O.P. There is a lot of interest in that program from current Bully Breed owners.”
Pit Bull Advocacy and Education
Because of dogs such as Duke, Antaya started his Pit Bull Advocacy and Education program after walking a Pit Bull “and seeing someone cross the street when they saw us coming.” Antaya also saw so many pit bulls in shelters, and realized “people have so many misconceptions about the breed. If they were educated, perhaps the adoption rate of pit bulls would go up.”
Something needed to be done, he says. “My approach is much more from an educational standpoint. I don’t preach to anyone from a soapbox. I have found that most critics of this breed have never even had a personal experience with one. Once I introduce some people to Duke and other Pit Bulls, they start to realize that these dogs are not what they perceived them to be. In addition to participating in various dog-specific events, I consider everywhere I go to be an opportunity to educate people about the breed. Sometimes it is an indirect approach, such as teaching children general dog safety and care while using a pit bull in the demonstration. I am currently working on an anti dog-fighting campaign geared towards children in high risk areas as well as a few other educational programs.”
What’s The Future For Pit Bulls?
Tough one. Antaya thinks “we are a far cry from Pit Bulls being an accepted breed as long as the media and cities who enforce breed bans continue to drive negative and incorrect information into the minds of the general public. For the states/cities who are enacting Dangerous Dog Ordinances instead of Breed Bans and the large groups of responsible owners, I have high praise for them. Hopefully this will be a growing trend and the Pit Bull will again become America’s dog.” You can find out more of Antaya’s thoughts on the Pit Bull Advocacy and Education Facebook page.
BAD RAP On Bark Out Loud!
As one of the moderators of Bark Out Loud Weekly, I’m excited to announce this, from one of our hosts, Kim Clune of Be the Change for Animals:
Bark Out Loud Weekly and Be the Change for Animals support the ”Double BAD RAP Donation Challenge” from The Honest Kitchen
Who is Bad Rap? BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls), co-founded by Donna Reynolds and Tim Racer, has been instrumental in the evaluation, rescue and rehabilitation of the dogs in the Michael Vick case, providing vision and hope for these dogs as well as many other dogs from high-profile federal dog fighting arrests. They also rescue pit bulls, teach award-winning classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and support rescues nationwide.
“Double BAD RAP Donation Challenge” from The Honest Kitchen
BAD RAP is March 2010’s charity of choice at The Honest Kitchen, makers of dehydrated, human-grade whole foods for dogs and cats. THK donates a percentage of online store profits monthly to various causes. BAD RAP’s donation will double if THK reaches 40,000 Facebook fans this month.
Head on over and like The Honest Kitchen’s Facebook Page to support BAD RAP!
Chat Live with BAD RAP on Bark Out Loud Weekly, March 14, 9:00 PM EST!
Learn more about the work Donna Reynolds and Tim Racer do in the Bark Out Loud Weekly BAD RAP podcast “After Vick: What Have We Learned?” . This breaking interview has just been released along with promotion of the “Double BAD RAP Donation Challenge” from The Honest Kitchen. Listen up and chat live with Donna Reynolds and Tim Racer on Monday at 9:15 PM EST. Get there early! Space is limited to the first 100 people.
BAD RAP, Featured Cause at Be the Change for Animals on March 14th
Be the Change for Animals (BtC4animals.com) will feature the “Double BAD RAP Donation Challenge” from The Honest Kitchen on Monday, March
14th. Through social media, Be the Change for Animals asks a dedicated and growing community of online animal advocates to spend just a few moments and never a cent to improve the lives of animals in need. On this date, Be the Change for Animals will also kick off a $1000 dollar Facebook ad campaign, drawing additional attention to this terrific cause.
Special announcement: Bark Out Loud Weekly and Be the Change for Animals have officially joined forces. As sister sites, each will cross promote the other with a strong focus on improving the lives of animals.
You Can Help!
Like The Honest Kitchen’s Facebook Page.
Share this link (http://www.barkoutloudweekly.com/news/support-bad-rap).
Cover the story on your website or blog.
Participate in Bark Out Loud Weekly’s BAD RAP podcast and chat.
Visit Be the Change for Animals on Monday to spread the word.
Participating Blogs and Websites
The following have committed to covering events surrounding “Double BAD RAP Donation Challenge” on Monday, March 14th:
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Additionally, I’ll be posting about what someone in Colorado is doing to help the plight of pit bulls in the country. Stay tuned! And see you on Monday, March 14, for the chat!
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