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BEHAVIOR & TRAINING TOPICS

DOGS:
Bark Collars
shock collars
Coprophagia in the Canine
Parmacologic Treatment of Separation Anxiety
Behavior Modification: Departures
Behavior Modification: Relaxation
Behavior Modificaition: Uncouple Departures and Departure Cues

CATS:
Kitten behavior and training
Toilet Training your Cat
Feline Agression
Inappropriate Elimination

GENERAL:
Fears and Phobias
Destructive Behavior
Compulsive Behavior

OUTSIDE LINKS

www.greatpets.com
www.gentleleader.com
Pet Partners Program
Canines Unlimited
Capital Kennel Club

PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENT OF SEPARATION ANXIETY

1. Before beginning pharmacological therapy, a full CBC/chemistry panel/urinalysis (and sometimes EKG) should be done. This is
a. to rule out occult disorders which could be contributing to your stress and exacerbating your behaviors, and
b. to make sure you can take the drugs under consideration without significant danger.
Periodic monitoring of certain blood parameters may be necessary to make sure no harm is done with the drug.
2. Anti-anxiety medication doesn't by itself "cure" a dog's offending behaviors. It can make the process of behavior modification easier, but training is an essential part of diminishing undesirable behaviors -- there's no "magic pill."

Here are some words of wisdom from Karen Overall, author of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals:

Most behavior modification uses counterconditioning and desensitization. In counterconditioning, an animal is taught another behavior that is more enjoyable or pleasant to exhibit in the presence of the stimulus that elicits the abnormal behavior. The animal must first be taught to do this in a benign circumstance before it can be done in a stressful one. The substitute behavior can be as simple as teaching the dog to sit or lie down and look at the owner, relaxing and appearing calm and happy, in exchange for a food treat or attention. Some animals will work for play, but this necessitates a more active role on the owner's part than does relaxation for food. The period for which the animal is expected to remain calm should be gradually increased, with frequent positive reinforcement, until it lasts for 30 minutes. The animal is then ready to begin to have the trigger event introduced at some attenuated level; this level will gradually be increased to teach the animal to habituate to the stimulus.

Treatments for separation anxiety have involved standard desensitization and counterconditioning (described above) to departures, and the use of antianxiety medication. In one study, owners reported an 80% success rate (defined as at least some improvement) using a recording that would indicate that the owner was returning. This was coupled with not rewarding the dog for its anxiety at the client's departure, rewarding it for being calm on return, and setting up a schedule for regular attention that could be anticipated. These are all factors to consider, although no data are available on correlation of intensity of signs at the outset and extent of improvement. The role of regular, schedules, and earned attention cannot be underestimated. Rather than attempting to bread the attachment between the owner and pet (a commonly recommended and arguably inhumane tactic), this provides a set of rules for the pet that permits reasonable expectations and attainment of those. These are the factors that will minimize anxiety without provoking a distressed or depressed response. Anxious dogs are always soliciting attention without obtaining relief from their anxiety. In this context, they can have as much attention as they want, provided they earn it by relaxing. Attention is scheduled regularly enough that the anxiety is not permitted to develop. These are subtle but important modifications. It is absolutely critical that treatment of separation involve NO punishment; punishment would only increase the patient's anxiety level. Anything that can decrease the animal's anxiety (pet-sitters, baby gates, outdoor pens, radios) should be used.

Tricyclic antidepressants are among the most efficacious of the medications available for the treatment of any anxiety-related condition, including separation anxiety. Should the separation anxiety have a panic component, combination treatment with addition drugs may achieve the best effects. Combination drug use may aid in faster resolution and may permit the use of lower levels of either medication to control the problem. Preempting the panic will facilitate the dog's ability to learn, with the help of long-term antianxiety medication and behavior modification, that it can be left alone with no untoward effects. Without interruption of the panic this may not be possible because the panic, and not the client's absence, now is the dog's cue that the anxiety will worsen.

Any extant drug used as part of a treatment plan for separation anxiety must be used continually -- these are not drugs that can be given only when the client perceives that the pet might have a problem. The goal of treatment is to lower overall levels of anxiety. One mechanism for this is to increase central levels of serotonin. Hence, pharmacological intervention should be maintained long enough to facilitate all behavioral and environmental modification. Withdrawal of medication should be gradual and may indicate that lifelong maintenance is the best choice.