Most of the dog owners think that their new puppy brought from pet shop only suffer separation anxiety. No!!! There is every possibility of occurrence of separation anxiety among good old dogs.

One of my friend Jack adopted an English Sheepdog - Roofers at the age of 4 years. He is thought to have been badly treated by his previous owners. He bonded closely to Jack, following him everywhere at home and sleeping beside the bed. In old age Roofers has become increasingly blind, deaf, and arthritic.

In the last 5 months Roofers has been messing in the house whenever he is left alone. He is not incontinent at other times, and a veterinary checkup revealed no urinary or digestive problems. He compulsively licks his forepaws and left foreleg.

As there is no medical cause, Roofers incontinence can be attributed to separation anxiety caused by his increasing dependence on his owners, particularly Jack, as he becomes increasingly deaf and blind, and contact is mainly by touch and scent. Roofers is particularly distressed by his growing isolation because of his mistreatment by his previous owners.

How To Solve This Problem of Separation Anxiety?

• Roofers should be given plenty of attention and physical contact by JACK’s wife when both of them at home.
• Roofers should be provided with warm, comfortable, draft-free bed.
• Jack needs to have exercise and food before being left and he should be given an opportunity to relieve himself.

Do you know separation anxiety is the most important reason for disowning a pet among the dog owners? Separation anxiety is also noticed among German Shepherd Dog. A dog that exhibits one of a variety of forms of behavior, such as barking, howling, destructive activity, house soiling, or obsessive behavior, only when it is left on its own, may be suffering from separation anxiety.

It is mandatory that the dog be thoroughly examined to make sure there is no other underlying cause, such as physical illness. If the problem of behavior also occurs when the owner is present, as well as away from the house, then another cause should be looked for.

Dogs with separation anxiety are usually over-attached to their owners and unable to cope with isolation. They may well be obedient and affectionate but will follow their owner all over the house, even in bathroom.

Typically, they become distressed when their owner gets ready to go out and show elation on his or her return. Fortunately this aberrant behavior will last long for few minutes of the departure of the owner but won’t last long through out the day. Even the dog health will become worsened due to this behavioral problem.

There are numerous factors that predisposes to separation anxiety. German shepherd puppies that spend every hour of the day and night with their owner and are then suddenly left alone will not be able to cope well with the unexpected long period of isolation.

It is important to leave the German Shepherd puppy on its own for short periods of 10 minutes or so to begin with, gradually working up to longer absences. Puppies that have been hand reared, raised in kennels, or sold through pet stores are particularly vulnerable to separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is also common in dogs adopted from rescue shelters.