Section C: Perceptions of contributing factors and coinciding conditions

In your experience rate the extent (never, occasionally, sometimes, frequently, always) to which you see the following conditions in the dogs you work with showing signs of separation anxiety: anxiety in other situations (e.g., being outside or away from home, interactions with strangers, other dogs); fear of thunderstorms; fear of loud noises (excluding thunder storms) e.g., fireworks; medical condition (skin condition, allergies, gastrointestinal disorders); aggression (related to food/handling/strangers/other dogs); other (please specify) Separation anxiety symptoms can emerge at different times in a dog’s life. Rate the extent (never, occasionally, sometimes, frequently, always) of cases you see with the onset of separation anxiety symptoms from: puppyhood; following a negative event whilst left alone; following a household change (house move, new baby); after rehoming (includes shelter, adopted dogs); old age (aging elderly dogs) From your experience, rate the importance of the following as potential contributing factors in the development of separation anxiety (extremely not important, not important, neutral, important, extremely important): source of acquisition (e.g., shelter); genetics; number of homes; age of acquisition; gradual exposure to separation; owner’s time spent with dog (always or never with the dog); type of owner–dog interactions; owner’s behaviour/responses to attention-seeking behaviour; owner’s approach to departure/greeting rituals; owner’s attitude to training/discipline; dog’s temperament; dog’s environment when left alone; level of exercise (not enough or too much); other (please specify) In your experience from the above options provide the top three factors you believe contribute to the development of separation anxiety symptoms in pet dogs