|
"Why Separation anxiety is so common. Dogs, as a pack animals, are not genetically well designed to spend long periods of time alone. Nature didn’t demand it from their ancestors, so the “I’m quite happy to pass the day by my lonesome” genes were not passed down to most of them. Combine this with our modern dog’s lifestyle that usually imposes times of solitude and presto: the common problem of separation anxiety. Given this mismatch between what dogs were designed for and what our lifestyle demands of them, we need to help them—from puppyhood through to sunset years- grow comfortable with alone time.
Anxiety in dogs, as in people, is influenced by two main factors: genes and environment, also known as nature and nurture… can’t control over genetics, but we retain lots of influence over environment."
"Healthy Affection Vs Obsession: Are you cultivating separation anxiety in your dog?"
By Jennifer Messer
Published in Modern Dog Magazine, spring 2009
“Today, most veterinarians have learned to accept the fact that animals have emotions and can suffer from some of the same emotional problems that people do. These include not only anxiety, but also depression, irrational fears and phobias, anger outbursts, obsessive and compulsive behaviours, and a broad range of neurotic and stress-related problems.
Drugs for pets are now big business.
Drugs should be a line of last resort, not an easy solution.
Dogs on Prozac become 'groggy.'”
"Pill-Popping Pups: Mood-altering drugs and our dogs"
By Stanley Coren
Published in Modern Dog Magazine, Spring 2009
|
