For many people, our beloved pets are seen as another member of the family – well maybe one we don’t want to leave more than others. A great deal of households decided to buy a four-legged friend during the Covid lockdown back in 2020, and many of them have kept us company as we work from home.
This situation has been revealed to be perfect for certain breeds of dogs, as some will feel at their most calm when they know someone else is in the house. However, the second they are alone at home, they can become extremely distressed. This does not apply to all dogs, as some may actually enjoy an hour or two of peace from the family noise.
A dog expert, working on behalf of Napo Pet Insurance, has revealed which dog breeds are more “predisposed to separation anxiety”. Rachel Rodgers has said that she has “frequently” come across and observed this form of anxiety in her work, and that three breeds stand out over others.
She said: “Dachshunds (sausage dogs), Cockapoos, and Toy Poodles are among the pets I regularly encounter struggling with being left alone at home. The Express reports that this could be due to a rise in popularity during the pandemic.
Rachel added: “The rise in demand often led to reliance on puppy farms with poor conditions, where the health of the dogs was disregarded. These environments place significant strain on the mothers, which can impact the puppies born under such conditions.”
“This stress during pregnancy can later manifest as separation anxiety in puppies once they are adopted into new homes,” she explained.
On the flipside, Rachel has also claimed that there are certain breeds that she has “rarely, if ever, encountered with separation anxiety” – Border Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers and Golden Retrievers.
She said: “Interestingly, my experience with Golden Retrievers is surprising when compared to existing research. While studies suggest Golden Retrievers are a breed with a high likelihood of separation anxiety, this has not been the case in my observations.”
Dogs who are experiencing separation anxiety are “often referred by a vet to a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB), who specialises in understanding and addressing animal behaviour”. Napo Pet Insurance is one such service that offers support from accredited Clinical Animals Behaviourists.
She explained: “At Napo Pet Insurance, we pride ourselves on ensuring the health and happiness of dogs. We are pleased to offer support from accredited Clinical Animal Behaviourists for pooches experiencing separation anxiety and other behavioural issues, providing them with the professional care they need to thrive.”
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