The behavioral therapy for separation anxiety in dog

Abstract

The puppies develop attachment to their mother between 3 and 12 weeks. In order to avoid the stress of separation from the mother, the separation should occur around the age of 3 weeks but not later than 6-7 weeks. If the separation is done after 12 weeks is already hard to avoid separation anxiety. At the time of separation from the mother, the puppies consider their master as their family, and when separation from them occur the puppy can experience different degrees of stress that can lead to separation anxiety syndrome. Biological material studied was represented by 112 dogs, of which 42 dogs were diagnosed with separation anxiety syndrome from that we formed a group of 12 dogs whose owners were actively involved in their treatment, and a major role lies in detachment therapy. As working methods were used: ethology consultation, evaluation grid for emotional and cognitive disorders in dogs, questionnaires for owners, observation sheet and statistical data processing. Using behavioral therapy as a method of treatment of separation anxiety in dogs caused a decrease in serum cortisol levels, total erythrocytes, total cholesterol, a slight increase in total leukocytes and magnesium levels, aspects which reveal therapeutic success. Treatment of separation anxiety in dog with behavioral modification techniques gave good results, having a working protocol reliable and easy to apply. In separation anxiety there is no partial recovery.