When dealing with moderate to severe separation anxiety, a more intensive approach may be required. This includes consulting professionals, implementing behavior modification techniques, and considering medication PUPPY TRAINING.
Let’s explore these strategies in more detail.
Consult a Professional
Professional intervention may be necessary for moderate to severe separation anxiety. In such cases, owners should seek help from certified professionals, such as a certified professional dog trainer, a certified separation anxiety trainer (CSAT), a veterinary behaviorist, or a certified applied animal behaviorist. Conducting an in-home assessment allows professionals to tailor a management and training plan to the dog’s specific living environment.
The success of any anxiety management plan requires the owner’s active participation, as they need to work closely with their dog to facilitate comfort with separation. Professional dog trainers can provide personalized strategies and ongoing support, helping owners read their dog’s stress signals and make effective training choices.
Implement Behavior Modification Techniques
Utilizing behavior modification techniques is an integral aspect of handling severe separation anxiety. These techniques aim to develop a protocol that systematically desensitizes the dog to being left alone and rewards calm, relaxed behavior. Some techniques to try include:
Engaging in specific activities or games before leaving
Training the dog to perform certain tasks or tricks
Creating a positive association with departures, signaling to the dog that separation is temporary
These techniques can help your dog feel more comfortable and secure when you are not around, especially when in the care of a dog sitter.
The progression of training should start with mock departures, gradually increase the time of absences — ensuring they do not cause anxiety — and aim for the dog to be relaxed when the owner leaves. Desensitizing a dog to departure cues like keys or getting dressed and altering the predictability of departure routines can reduce the anxiety experienced before the owner leaves. Incorporating consistent training sessions into the dog’s daily routine, such as teaching the dog to remain in a designated area for longer periods, combined with play and exercise before departures, can facilitate the dog’s adjustment to being alone.
Consider Medication
In certain circumstances, administration of medication might be necessary to control severe separation anxiety. Nonetheless, before starting any medication, consulting with a veterinarian is crucial to ensure the safety of the prescription and the correct dosage. A variety of medications, including SSRIs like Fluoxetine and Sertraline, as well as situational anxiety medications such as Alprazolam and Diazepam, are commonly prescribed to manage severe separation anxiety in dogs.
Medications for long-term anxiety management, including anti anxiety medication, may take four to six weeks to show full effectiveness, necessitating continuation of treatment for at least two months after a positive response, while situational medications can provide quick relief within 30 to 60 minutes. For dogs that have been on medications such as Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, or Sertraline for a prolonged period, it’s crucial to gradually reduce the dosage before stopping the medication completely to prevent withdrawal symptoms.