Separation anxiety is one of the most common behaviour problems in dogs, marked by distress when left alone, including destructive behaviour, vocalisation, restlessness, and house soiling. Hunter and colleagues (2020) surveyed Australian dog trainers to examine their opinions on the condition and its management.
The survey gathered 63 responses, dividing trainers into reward-based (n = 41) and balanced trainers (n = 22). Results revealed sharp contrasts in how each group viewed the role of veterinarians and medication. Only 7.9% of trainers referred cases to a veterinarian for diagnosis, despite trainers not being legally permitted to diagnose anxiety disorders. Reward-based trainers placed greater emphasis on veterinary involvement and the possible role of medication, while balanced trainers were less likely to recommend either.
Interestingly, nearly all balanced trainers (95.5%) considered separation anxiety to be preventable, compared with just over half (52.6%) of reward-based trainers. Furthermore, 50% of balanced trainers reported that medication was rarely necessary in cases they encountered, compared to only 4.9% of reward-based trainers. These differences highlight how training style strongly influences trainers’ perspectives on behaviour disorders, preventability, and treatment strategies.
The findings underscore the importance of improved communication between trainers and veterinarians, ensuring that dogs with separation anxiety receive comprehensive and evidence-based support.
Source: Hunter, T., Rooy, D., McArthur, M., Bennett, S., Tuke, J., & Hazel, S. (2020). Mental Health Disease or Preventable Problem? Australian Dog Trainers’ Opinions about Canine Separation Anxiety Differ with Training Style. Animals, 10. Published August 1, 2020.
