ResearchEffects of preadoption counseling on the prevention of separation anxiety in newly adopted shelter dogs
Introduction
Separation anxiety, defined here as distress in the absence of an attachment figure, is one of the more prevalent behavior problems in dogs and treatment can be challenging (Takeuchi et al., 2000, Takeuchi et al., 2000, Bamberger and Houpt, 2006). Commonly reported separation-related problems that lead to a diagnosis of separation anxiety may include destructive behavior, self-injurious behavior, inappropriate urination and defecation, and vocalization associated with distress that occurs only in the owner's absence (Sherman and Mills, 2008). These behaviors can be undesirable to dog owners and may damage the human–animal bond, leading to relinquishment or return to an animal shelter (Salman et al., 2000). Recognition of problematic behaviors is critical in recently adopted animals because the human animal bond has had little time to develop and the owners may not yet be committed to the dogs. Even dogs whose owners pursue behavioral therapy may fail to improve sufficiently for the owners' needs and be subsequently euthanized or relinquished (Takeuchi et al., 2000, Takeuchi et al., 2000, Takeuchi et al., 2000, Takeuchi et al., 2000). Several factors have been suggested to predispose certain dogs for the development of separation anxiety, including long periods with the owner without being left alone, periods of kennel housing, family move to a new house or apartment, and loss of a family pet (McGreevy and Masters, 2008, Sherman and Mills, 2008). Adoption from an animal shelter has been suggested as a predisposing factor for the development of separation anxiety in dogs (Serpell, 1995). Whether the separation-related behavior problems lead to relinquishment, or the abandonment/rehoming process put the dog at risk for behavioral pathology in the new home remains unknown. Regardless, considering the risk the development of separation anxiety poses to the adopted dog population, shelter staff may play a critical role in advising and educating owners on how to prevent separation anxiety after adoption.
Most veterinary and behavioral professionals will agree that behavior problems, like many medical problems, are best treated through prevention (Patronek and Dodman, 1999). Cottam et al. (2008) found that written and verbal communication, without the direct interaction of the dog with a clinician, can be an effective method for assessing and managing canine separation anxiety. Providing verbal advice on how to prevent separation anxiety in rehomed dogs has been shown to have a protective effect against the development of separation related problems after adoption (Blackwell et al., 2005). We studied whether preventive counseling in the form of written and verbal communication at the time of pet adoption could help prevent the development of separation anxiety, thereby reducing pet relinquishment and euthanasia. We also obtained information on the prevalence of separation anxiety in shelter dogs after adoption.
Section snippets
Enrollment
Participants were recruited between the months of July and August 2011 from a dog shelter.a This county shelter has primary responsibility for control of stray dogs and enforcement of state laws regarding stray dogs and offers open admission for owner-released dogs. The shelter impounded approximately 13,000 dogs in 2011.b
Upon
Results
Enrollment and contact information was obtained from 133 dog owners. Interviews performed at 1 month after adoption were successfully completed with 116 (87.2%) owners. Seventeen owners could not be contacted after 10 phone call attempts (12.8%). Of the interviews completed, 110 (94.8%) dogs remained in the home and 6 (5.2%) dogs were returned to the shelter. Owners reported that 3 (50%) of the dogs were returned because of complaints associated with separation anxiety. To include dogs that
Discussion
Preadoption counseling did not have a preventive effect on the development of separation anxiety in this population of dogs. Most owners engaged in activities postulated to prevent separation anxiety, regardless of group designation, yet more than 16% (19) of the dogs still showed signs consistent with separation anxiety, and no single preventive measure appeared to make a difference in its appearance. These results differ from the findings of Herron et al. (2007) in which preadoption
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