WOW! What a resource list!

In dogs, separation anxiety accounts for 20-40% of the behavior consultant’s case load and is one of the most common behavior problems (McCrave, 1991). A recent research study in the UK showed that many dogs that don’t even show signs of separation anxiety still experience increased levels of Cortisol, a steroid hormone released in response to stress. Why do so many dogs get anxious when we leave? According to research, certain factors seem to play a role in the chances of a dog to develop this type of anxiety. Dogs living in a house with only one human for instance seem to be twice as likely to have separation anxiety than dogs living amongst several people. Neutered dogs also seem more prone to anxiety as are intact dogs (Flannigan, 2001) but overall, more research is needed to identify the factors involved. When looking at some of the findings in children, we can also add to the list of possible causes the fact that dogs have very little control over the environment they live in, especially over the coming and going of other members of the family or of their own wanderings. Sometimes a traumatic event such as prolonged time at a boarding kennel or shelter, or a change in the family structure may trigger the onset of separation anxiety.