Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Separation and confinement anxiety in a golden retriever × standard poodle dog.
- Journal:
- The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
- Year:
- 2024
- Authors:
- Heinrich, Anneliese & Calder, Christine
- Affiliation:
- Rockyview Veterinary Behaviour Consulting · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-month-old spayed female golden retriever mixed with a standard poodle was having serious issues when left alone in a crate. She would bark loudly, destroy things, and even urinate in the crate. Previous treatments included different medications and training techniques, but she had bad reactions to some of those. Eventually, she responded well to a new medication called clomipramine, along with special training to help her feel safe and behavior changes. Overall, her separation anxiety improved with this new approach.
Abstract
An 8-month-old spayed female golden retriever × standard poodle dog was presented for assessment because of vocalization, destructive behavior, and urination when left home alone and confined in a crate. Previous treatments included multiple medications, graduated departures, decoupling of departure cues, and punishmentbased techniques. Adverse reactions to paroxetine and lorazepam were noted before successful treatment with clomipramine, "safe haven" training, and behavior modification. Key clinical message: Separation anxiety is a common behavioral disorder in dogs. It is often treatable but may require changes in the approach to both medication and behavior modification based on patient and client factors.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38304480/