Montclair Animal Shelter Adopts Out Dog With Separation Anxiety

When you leave home, what emotion goes through your pet’s mind?

If your answer is “panic,” read on.

The Montclair Animal Shelter recently adopted out Stone, a dog with separation anxiety issues. According to a social media post from the shelter, Stone was returned twice because of his issues. But with “love and patience,” Stone’s foster guardian was able to help the dog adapt.

The training went so well that she decided to officially adopt him, the shelter reported.

WHAT IS SEPARATION ANXIETY?

The Humane Society of the United States explains that “separation anxiety” is when pets exhibit distress and behavior problems when they’re left alone.

According to the Humane Society, symptoms of separation anxiety include:

• Digging and scratching at doors or windows in an attempt to reunite with their owners
• Destructive chewing
• Howling, barking and whining
• Urination and defecation (even with otherwise house-trained dogs)

“It’s not fully understood why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and others don’t,” the Humane Society states on their website. “But it’s important to realize that the destruction and house soiling that often occur with separation anxiety are part of a panic response. Your dog isn’t trying to punish you.”

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) offers a similar explanation.

“There is no conclusive evidence showing exactly why dogs develop separation anxiety,” the ASPCA states on their website. “However, because far more dogs who have been adopted from shelters have this behavior problem than those kept by a single family since puppyhood, it is believed that loss of an important person or group of people in a dog’s life can lead to separation anxiety. Other less dramatic changes can also trigger the disorder.”

Both organizations offer extensive advice for training your pet to beat separation anxiety.

See the Humane Society’s advice here.

See the ASPCA’s advice here.

Photo of Stone and his new guardian, Giselle, courtesy of the Montclair Animal Shelter via Facebook