Many households bought pups when lockdown first began back in 2020, but the expectation to return to the office has been growing in the past couple of years.
While some dogs may feel ok sitting in the house alone while you’re out and about, others might become extremely distressed.
Working on behalf of Nato Pet Insurance, dog expert Rachel Rodgers said she’s observed dog breeds that are “predisposed to separation anxiety”.
Having “frequently” come across separation anxiety in her line of work, Rachel said there are three stand-out breeds that come to mind.
“Dachshunds (sausage dogs), Cockapoos, and Toy Poodles are among the pets I regularly encounter struggling with being left alone at home,” she said.
Due to their rise in popularity during the pandemic, Rachel said: “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.”
Rachel elaborated: “This stress during pregnancy can later manifest as separation anxiety in puppies once they are adopted into new homes.”
There are, however, certain breeds that Rachel has “rarely, if ever, encountered with separation anxiety”; those are Golden Retrievers, Border Terriers, and Miniature Schnauzers.
“Interestingly, my experience with Golden Retrievers is surprising when compared to existing research,” said Rachel.
“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 experiencing separation anxiety are “often referred by a vet to a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB), who specialises in understanding and addressing animal behaviour”.
Rachel added that Nato Pet Insurance offer support from accredited Clinical Animal 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.”
