Section D: Management of separation anxiety of pet dogs

In your experience when managing cases of separation anxiety what is the degree of importance you attribute to the following factors (extremely not important, not important, neutral, important, extremely important): dog’s stimulation when left; dog’s access to inside house when left; dog’s behaviour modification (graded exposure to separation); desensitisation of dog to owner’s departure cues; encouraging dog’s confidence/independence; owner’s attitude to discipline/training; owner’s ability to tune into dog’s emotions (identify stressed vs. happy dog); use of therapeutic agents (e.g., Adaptil collar); referral for medication; dog’s level of exercise; increase predictability of routines; decrease predictability of routines; owner’s behaviour toward dog’s attention-seeking behaviours; owner–dog structured interactions (e.g., training); relaxation exercises (e.g., massage); to not leave dog alone (e.g., access dog sitters); owner–dog play (e.g., unstructured interactions); other (please specify) In the last month how many cases of separation anxiety did you refer to a veterinarian? In the last month how many cases of separation anxiety did you refer to a veterinary behaviourist? From your experience how to you rate the importance of the following areas to attempt to change when treating separation anxiety in pet dogs (extremely not important, not important, neutral, important, extremely important): environmental enrichment; improve dog’s ability to cope with being left (e.g., medication); owner’s attitude and behaviour; owner–dog interactions Do you believe separation anxiety in pet dogs can be prevented? yes, no, unsure If you answered yes or unsure to the previous question, select any of the following you believe to assist in the prevention of separation anxiety in pet dogs: gradual exposure to separation from owner; providing environmental enrichment when left; socialisation – exposure to wide range of events during early development; encouraging the puppy to engage in independent behaviours; reduce owner fuss during departure/greeting; providing comfortable/safe place whilst left; other (please specify) How often do you use the following to monitor the progress of treatment interventions (never, occasionally, sometimes, usually, always): verbal self-reports of owners; direct behavioural observations; neighbour reports; ongoing functional assessment; video footage of dog’s behaviour during owner absence; activity monitor sensors; owner diaries of dog activities; not applicable (do not monitor progress after initial consultation); other (please specify) In your experience, can you sometimes identify a puppy (less than six months of age) that is likely to develop separation anxiety? yes, no, unsure, not applicable