The efficacy of systematic desensitization for treating the separation-related problem behaviour of domestic dogs

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Rynae Butler, Rebecca J. Sargisson, Douglas Elliffe

The efficacy of systematic desensitization for treating the separation-related problem behaviour of domestic dogs

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 129, Issues 2–4, 31 January 2011, Pages 136–145

Abstract

The evaluation of systematic desensitization to treat separation-related problem behaviours, such as destruction of property, excessive barking, or house-soiling, has tended to rely on single case-studies. Eight dogs exhibiting separation-related behaviour, and their owners, participated in a controlled experiment using a within-subjects design to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of systematic desensitization and counter-conditioning. Treatment produced significant reductions in both the frequency (T(9)) = 0.0, P = 0.008) and the severity (T(9)) = 0.0, P = 0.008) of separation-related behaviours compared to baseline. Six dogs, for which follow-up data were obtained three months after treatment ended, showed almost complete elimination of the problem behaviour. The use of counter-conditioning, and other behavioural advice, did not appear to be related to the success of the treatment, suggesting that systematic desensitization was the critical element. Speed of progress and final success was not related to the consistency with which the owners applied systematic desensitization, indicating that even when owners apply systematic desensitization haphazardly, it can still be successful in treating separation-related behaviour in dogs.

The effect of time left alone at home on dog welfare

Effects of Time Left Alone on Dog Welfare

Therese Rehn, Linda J. Keeling

The effect of time left alone at home on dog welfare

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 129, Issues 2–4, 31 January 2011, Pages 129–135

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of time left alone on dog behaviour and cardiac activity. Twelve privately owned dogs, with no history of separation related behaviour problems, were video-recorded on three different occasions when left alone in their home environment. The treatments lasted for 0.5 h (T_0.5); 2 h (T₂) and 4 h (T₄). Video-recording started 10 min before the owner left the house and continued until 10 min after the owner returned, so that interactions between dog and owner as well as behaviour during separation could be studied. Data on heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) were collected within the same time period in each treatment. In addition to analysing behaviours separately, behaviours were also grouped together and defined as new variables; physically active, attentive behaviour, vocal, interaction initiated by owner and interaction initiated by dog. There were no differences in behaviour between treatments at equivalent time intervals until the owner returned, although a number of differences were observed at reunion with the owner. Dogs showed a higher frequency of physical activity (P < 0.05) and attentive behaviour (P < 0.01) in T₂ (0.37 ± 0.07; 0.52 ± 0.08, mean frequency of occurrence/15 s ± SE) and T₄ (0.48 ± 0.08; 0.48 ± 0.07) compared to T_0.5 (0.20 ± 0.07; 0.21 ± 0.05). They also showed more tail wagging (P < 0.01) and interacted more with their owners (P < 0.01) in T₂ (0.27 ± 0.08; 0.47 ± 0.09) and T₄ (0.26 ± 0.04; 0.42 ± 0.09) compared to T_0.5 (0.09 ± 0.04; 0.14 ± 0.03). After a longer time of separation, the dogs also showed higher frequencies of lip licking (P < 0.05) and body shaking (P < 0.05) at the owner's return (T_0.5 = 0.09 ± 0.05; T₂ = 0.24 ± 0.08; T₄ = 0.27 ± 0.06 and T_0.5 = 0.03 ± 0.01; T₂ = 0.08 ± 0.03; T₄ = 0.07 ± 0.01, respectively). There was a tendency for higher HR (P < 0.1) during the first and second minute after reunion in T₂ (127.6 ± 1.25, mean bpm ± SE; 111.3 ± 1.24) compared to T_0.5 (106.2 ± 1.06; 87.5 ± 1.02). According to the results of this study, the effect of time left alone was shown by a more intense greeting behaviour by the dog towards their owner as well as by a higher frequency of physical activity and attentive behaviour when the owner returned, already after 2 h of separation. Although this study cannot distinguish between whether dogs were aware of the length of time they were alone (but did not signal it) or whether they were unaware until reminded of it by the return of their owner, it does confirm that dogs are affected by the duration of time at home alone.

Relationship between attachment to owners and separation anxiety in pet dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)

Attachement and Separation Anxiety Causes

Valli Parthasarathy, MS, PhD, DVM, Sharon L. Crowell-Davis, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVB

Relationship between attachment to owners and separation anxiety in pet dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)

Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, Volume 1, Issue 3, November–December 2006, Pages 109–120

Abstract

Dogs’ dysfunctional attachment relationships with their owners are assumed to be the underlying cause of separation anxiety. Thirty-two dogs with and 43 dogs without owner-reported separation anxiety (SA) participated in a formal attachment test (AT). After the AT, the dogs were videotaped for 30 minutes while alone at home. Dogs left free in the house were scored on how long they were in proximity to the owners’ exit doors. Dogs who were crated or closely confined were scored on several anxiety-related behaviors, which were then compared to those dogs’ behaviors during the attachment test. Dogs with SA spent no more time in contact with or proximity to their owners during the attachment test than dogs without SA (P>0.05). Instead, they tended to jump up on the door after the strangers left the room and remain stationary when alone with their owners (P<0.05). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between SA and non-SA dogs in the amount of time spent in proximity to the owners’ exit doors when left alone at home. Dogs crated at home showed no relationship between the amount of anxiety-related behaviors during the AT or at home (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the type of proximity-seeking behaviors exhibited by dogs with and without SA in the home (P>0.02). These finding suggest that separation anxiety is not based on “hyperattachment” of the dog to the owner, but that a different attachment style may be present between dogs with and without SA.

Results of a follow-up investigation to a clinical trial testing the efficacy of clomipramine in the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs

Clomipramine and Separation Anxiety

J.N. King, K.L. Overall, D. Appleby, B.S. Simpson, C. Beata, C.J.P. Chaurand, S.E. Heath, C. Ross, A.B. Weiss, G. Muller, B.G. Bataille, T. Paris, P. Pageat, F. Brovedani, C. Garden, S. Petit

Results of a follow-up investigation to a clinical trial testing the efficacy of clomipramine in the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 89, Issues 3–4, December 2004, Pages 233–242

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate the incidence of adverse events and changes in behaviour after use of clomipramine to treat separation anxiety in dogs. This study was a follow-up investigation to a previously published clinical trial. In the main trial, dogs were randomised in a double-blinded manner to receive placebo, standard (1–2 mg/kg, q12h) or low (0.5–1 mg/kg, q12h) dosages of clomipramine for 2–3 months. All dogs received behavioural therapy. Follow-up questionnaires were completed in 76 out of 89 dogs between 5.5 and 16 months after completion of the main trial.

Post study, 12 dogs at one site received clomipramine long term (>13–16 months). The clomipramine was tolerated well, no dogs had worsening of their behaviour and behaviour improved further in 10 (83%) dogs.

An additional 16 dogs received clomipramine and/or other drugs for up to 30 weeks and 48 cases received no drugs post trial. Acute worsening of behaviour was noted in the first two weeks after stopping treatment in three cases receiving low dose clomipramine, but in no cases in the other groups. The worsening rate of separation anxiety >2 weeks after stopping therapy was 13% of dogs that had received standard-dose clomipramine, 15% of dogs that had received low dose clomipramine and 23% of dogs that had received placebo. The mean time to worsening was longer in dogs that had received standard-dose clomipramine (37 weeks), as compared to low dose clomipramine (11 weeks, P = 0.005) or placebo (11 weeks, P = 0.003).

In conclusion, no undesirable long term effects were detected in the use of standard-dose (1–2 mg/kg, q12h) clomipramine for the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs. Abrupt withdrawal of a sub-optimal dose of clomipramine (0