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An overwhelming number of lockdown pooches have been left feeling anxious when separated from their owners as they return to the office. Burns founder and vet, John Burns MBE and dog trainer, Orlagh McCarthy advise on how to tackle separation anxiety.
While many dogs dislike when their owners initially leave them, they will settle down and wait calmly until they return. However, some dogs simply cannot cope with being left alone and this causes distress that is both real and traumatic.
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Going to the toilet in the house (despite being trained)
Persistent barking/howling only when left alone
Pacing/being unsettled only when left alone
Destruction of items, walls, doors, etc.
Self-mutilation to the point of injury only when left alone
Excessive drooling
Mental Health & Diet
Since his humble beginnings as a vet and founder of Burns Pet Nutrition, John has been advising pet owners to manage health problems and promote good health to pets. He urges pet owners to consider the significance of diet when maintaining good mental health in pets.
Dogs are undeniably social creatures. Belonging to a group or family is acknowledged as being both an emotional and a social requirement for them. We now know that keeping a dog in social isolation, removed from a family group (canine or human) is cruel.
When Burns Pet Nutrition was founded, John’s intention was focused on how physical health was influenced by nutrition. However, many dog owners also noticed improvements in the behaviour and mental condition of their pets.
Hyperactive dogs became calm, timid dogs became more confident, and unruly dogs were suddenly easier to control and train. These changes were unexpected by they should not be surprising. The very basis of a holistic, natural approach is that body and mind are one, and influence one another. Burns foods are based on complex carbohydrates, usually from whole grains such as brown rice, oats and maize – the traditional food of humans (and therefore domesticated dogs) for many centuries.
The nutritional characteristics in Burns pet foods promote stable mental and physical health, which are essential when dealing with undesirable behaviour, like separation anxiety. There is scientific evidence to support this – a wholesome diet has been shown to increase the amount of brain transmitters such as dopamine and serotonin.
John advises that professional dog walkers or a willing neighbour should be utilised for ensuring your pet gets companionship and activities. Many pet owners will know that there is nothing more rewarding to a dog than being taken for a walk. There are some fantastic schemes available too, such as Borrow My Doggy, where pet lovers can spend time with animals without taking on the responsibility of ownership.
John says: “A good diet is the bedrock of sound physical and mental health”.
Training
Pandemic puppies must learn how to become comfortable with being alone. John says that many pet owners encourage unwanted behaviour by inadvertently rewarding their pets with attention. The easiest way to train a dog to be on their own is by approaching the situation in a calm, under control manner.
Dog behaviourist and trainer, Orlagh McCarthy shares her top tips for training dogs with separation anxiety:
Reduce the duration of the ‘alone times’
Don’t make going out or coming home a big event
Desensitise dog to owner’s departure
Leave a high value treat or activity toy when leaving the house
Gradually introduce short periods of alone time
It is important to note that not all dogs grow out of separation anxiety, however it can be managed and maintained with help from a vet or a behavioural specialist.
Come and meet the pet experts at Burns Dogs’ Day Out 2022 to chat with John Burns MBE and Orlagh McCarthy about separation anxiety or another behavioural problem. There’s so much to do at Burns Dogs’ Day Out 2022. Find out more and book your free tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/burns-dogs-day-out-tickets-383446206927?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
