Risk factors and behaviors associated with separation anxiety in dogs

Objectives-To determine potential risk factors and behaviors associated wit h separation anxiety and develop a practical index to help in the diagnosis of separation anxiety in dogs. Design-Case-control study. Animals-200 dogs with separation anxiety and 200 control dogs with other be havior problems. Procedures-Medical records were reviewed for signalment, history of behavio r problems, home environment, management, potentially associated behaviors, and concurrent problems. Results-Dogs from a home with a single adult human were approximately 2.5 t imes as likely to have separation anxiety as dogs from multiple owner homes , and sexually intact dogs were a third as likely to have separation anxiet y as neutered dogs. Several factors associated with hyperattachment to the owner were significantly associated with separation anxiety. Spoiling activ ities, sex of the dog, and the presence of other pets in the home were not associated with separation anxiety. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results do not support the theory that e arly separation from the dam leads to future development of separation anxi ety. Hyperattachment to the owner was significantly associated with separat ion anxiety; extreme following of the owner, departure cue anxiety, and exc essive greeting may help clinicians distinguish between canine separation a nxiety and other separation-related problems.