Separation Anxiety in Dogs

[glencorgi]

The equivalent of Dog World or Dog Fancy must have come out with a new issue.

True separation anxiety occurs in 10-14% of dogs according to most of the material written on the subject.
Debbie


A few articles concerning separation anxiety in canines:

Canine Separation Anxiety
Canine Separation Anxiety and Your Dog
Dog, Canine Separation Anxiety Training Chicago
The suggestion to "get another dog for your corgi" is not recognized as something that works:
Under "What Won't Help a Separation Anxiety Problem" at:
Help a Separation Anxiety Problem
"Getting another pet as a companion for your dog. This usually doesn't help an anxious dog because his anxiety is the result of his separation from you, his person, not merely the result of being alone."

Assessing Canine Separation Anxiety
Greytdogs.com-Canine Separation Anxiety Article Index
Canines of America Separation Anxiety and Behaviors

Debbie

[Chip's Mom]

Dale has a touch of separation anxiety and we have more then one dog. He gets into mischief by way of chewing. He will search until he can find something and chew it up. He is very good at it even though I always do a walkthrough before we leave. I don't crate him because he doesn't like a crate and I think it would make him worse. We only leave him for short periods of time. When we are home, he never chews anything that he isn't supposed to.

[Michael Romanos]

Getting another dog is not my ideal choice, but while it won't prevent separation anxiety for a dog already suffering from SA, it will help to prevent boredom.
I had Alice (a Pem Corgi) come stay and she was definitely company for Taylor when the two were left alone - and they both miss each other's company even though Taylor does not play much with her other than both chase after tennis balls and treats her with respect rather than direct affection.

[glencorgi]

Boredom and separation anxiety aren't the same things though.

Debbie

[missfancypants25]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

Boredom and separation anxiety aren't the same things though.

Debbie

In Michaels "Home Alone Corgis" post he is talking about seperation anxiety AND boredom. He says that another dog can help to "alleviate boredom." And as a response to your post he says that another dog can help with boredom, but not seperation anxiety.

[Michael Romanos]

Boredom and separation anxiety are separate 'issues' - but a lot of dogs suffer from both at the same time.

[glencorgi]

Leaving a Corgi home alone for long periods can be devastating for the dog. Separation anxiety is common and its symptoms can show in a dozen different ways.


Here are some ways of beating separation anxiety and boredom:

Get a dog for your Corgi - it can help alleviate boredom.

The above is directly quoted from the other thread. The opening implies a discussion of separation anxiety which is different than boredom. I think the articles in the links speak for themselves.

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

No Debbie, the "leaving alone for long periods" is the key or the link. From that comes boredom and/or separation anxiety.

[glencorgi]

I'd try to connect the dots ... but nevermind

Debbie

[missfancypants25]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

The above is directly quoted from the other thread. The opening implies a discussion of separation anxiety which is different than boredom. I think the articles in the links speak for themselves.

Debbie

Michael's post very obviously implies a discussion of both issues.

[TNCorgi]

I had a lhasa that had SA. When we got him he was grown but a rescue. We didnt know he had sa but soon learned. He tore the blinds off the windows and brought all the toys to the door. When we brought in one of our other dogs it got better but didnt go away all together. He did get eased some and was much happier but he would still shred paper and scratch the windows.