Sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs

The sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs and other animals it consists of the development of fears and phobias that cause instability in the dog, leading him to perform unwanted behaviors by his human companion, such as barking excessively in certain situations, paralyzing for fear or biting to other dogs or humans.

If you have recently adopted a young or adult dog and have abnormal or presumably pathological behaviors at the mental level, you may find yourself facing a dog that has suffered isolation in a critical period of its growth and has developed this syndrome.In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will talk about the sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs , we will treat the possible causes , the symptoms, how we could diagnose it and its treatment.

Causes of sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs

The main cause of this syndrome is an isolation during the socialization of the dog in any of the early stages of the puppy's neuronal development.

Dogs during their childhood they go through four stages of development and a deprivation of stimuli or contact with other animals or humans can cause damage in the development of their personality, causing in adulthood aberrant and unwanted behaviors, such as pathological fear, observing that the dog is afraid of everything, situations and/or objects or noises.These four periods are:

Neonatal period (from birth to two weeks of life): during this phase, the puppy it is limited to seeking food and heat from its mother or siblings.Its sensory or motor abilities are very limited.A dog or other animal, including the human being, deprived of this period may not fully develop certain hypothalamic functions (region of the brain that be in charge ga, among other things, the regulation of mood).
Transition period: from the third week of age, a dog begins to respond to visual and auditory stimuli , as he begins to develop these senses.At this time the relationship with his mother becomes somewhat less dependent and it is time to know the world around him.He can walk, start games with his brothers, move the tail in response to stimuli that receive and touch and bite objects or other beings.
Period of socialization (from four weeks to twelve or fourteen weeks of age): this is perhaps the most important and sensitive period for the correct physical and mental development of a dog.In this phase you will learn that he is a dog, how dogs behave, with what things or beings he must be careful because they can be dangerous and with which he can be calm.where you should do your needs, how to behave with others Rros, humans or other animals of different species.Your curiosity and exploratory character will develop, each time you will move further away from the place where you rest with your mother and siblings.Around six and eight weeks, it is the key moment to start socializing with human beings.
Youth period (from week twelve to adulthood): during this phase the dog must achieve social independence and not create attachment, which can lead to separation anxiety and, in turn , in destructive behaviors.It is essential, during this stage, to teach the dog the norms of the family with which he will spend the rest of his life.Always, through positive reinforcement, we must show him what behaviors are desired.

The absence of adequate stimuli during any of these periods can trigger a syndrome of sensory deprivation in dogs.

Symptoms of sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs

As we should know the healthy and normal development of a puppy, it is important to know how an alteration in any of these periods can cause the appearance of unwanted behaviors, specifically isolating a puppy from others dogs, of the human being or of any visual or sound stimulus will cause pathological fear.

The symptoms can be observed when the dog faces any novel situation:

Paralysis or blockade.
Rejection of contact with possible flight or attempt to bite.
Uncontrolled barking.
Unintentional urination.
Predatory aggression.
Overexcitation.
Neurodegenerative symptoms: skin problems or digestive disorders (anorexia).

My dog is afraid of everything, can it be a syndrome of sensory deprivation?

The fear of everything if it may be caused by the sensory deprivation syndrome due to the reasons set forth in previous sections, however, is not the only possible cause.In those dogs that have lived multiple experiences traumatic , it is also possible to observe this type of behavior that, sometimes, leads to phobia.That is why, if you have just adopted a dog with fear and do not know his previous life, the most advisable thing is to go to an ethologist to to evaluate the case and establish an appropriate work plan for the animal.

Diagnosis of sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs

If you believe that your dog can suffer from this syndrome, you should first consult a veterinarian who can perform the relevant tests to rule out any other type of pathology.Once it is determined that the state of health The dog is correct, the next step will be to visit a canine ethologist who is empowered to conduct a behavioral study of the dog and can establish, through an anamnesis and concrete tests, if the dog suffers from sensory deprivation syndrome.

Treatment of sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs

It will be the veterinarian or specialized ethologist who defines the therapy to treat the most appropriate sensory deprivation syndrome of the dog .Usually, this treatment can be behavioral or through drugs:

Behavior therapy: in this case, the ethologist or canine educator will study the case and choose the best treatment for the animal, trying to achieve a state in which the dog stops suffering from fear in novel situations.
Drug therapy: here it will be the veterinarian who establishes a treatment with medications to reduce the levels of stress suffered by the dog.

Likewise, it is possible that the specialist in the case decides to carry out a combined treatment, that is, in which drugs are administered and work with the animal to treat their fears.In any case, it is vital not to force the animal ever or force it to expose itself to what scares him.

This article is merely informative, at Animals and Pets Online we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any diagnosis.We invite you to Take your pet to the veterinarian in case you present any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs-Causes and treatment , we recommend that you enter our section on Mental Problems.

Bibliography

Drape, DD (1976).Improper Puppy Socialization and Subsequent Behavior.lOUJ'a State University Veterinarian.38 (2).
Fox, MW (1966).The Effects of Short-term Social and Sensory Isolation upon Behavior, EEG and Averaged Evoked Potentials in Puppies.Physiology and Behavior.2, 145-151.
Fuller, JL (1967).Experiential Deprivation and Later Behavior.SCIENCE.158, 1645-1652.
Landsberg, GM, BSc, DVM, MRCVS, DACVB, DECAWBM, Director, Veterinary Affairs and Product Development, CanCog Technologies, and Veterinary Behaviourist, North Toronto Veterinary Behavior Specialty Clinic Sagi Denenberg, DVM, DACVB, Dip.ECAWBM (Behavior), MACVSc (Behavior).(2018).Behavioral Problems of Dogs.MSD MANUAL Veterinary Manual.

Comments

Is it right to have a sugar petaide as a pet?

According to the PETA organization ( People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ), having a sugar petaide as a pet is to deprive you of "everything that is natural and meaningful to them: the company of its own species, fresh air, outdoors and the opportunity to climb or do almost anything other than walking or sitting and looking out of a small cage."[1] To market with them, these animals are raised in unsuitable facilities or brought by illegal trafficking of species in plastic bottles from their home country, Australia. On the other hand, due to the lack of Veterinary information, death in animals held in captivity is very premature.In addition, behavioral problems are accused by the lack of knowledge about the eto Lodge of the species and because of the cognitive deficits that it suffers from being caged, which leads to mass abandonment, ending the animals in recovery centers at best. If you decide Get in touch with one of these centers to adopt one or mo...

My lovebird has diarrhea - Causes and treatment

Lovebird has become one of the most frequently birds they find in our homes.Their color, their beauty, and that nickname of "inseparable" that we like so much, makes them as appreciated as the canaries were once. But the arrival of any bird, exotic or not , puts us in front of new situations that sometimes we are not accustomed to face.Animals and Pets Online will try to help distinguish pathological situations from those that are not, and to handle us in the event that our lovebird has diarrhea , In the following article we explain the possible causes that cause it . It is not always diarrhea, even if it seems We may notice that there are more liquid stools than usual in our lovebird on the floor of the cage and identify it as diarrhea, even if it is not. Evacuations Sewers in birds are made up of a greenish part (they can vary in color if they take feed, they are real feces), a white part (urates, mineral salts), and a liquid part (urine).Everything goes out...

How to improve the relationship with my dog

Having a dog does not mean having a nice ornament for home.Having a dog means include a new member within our family, for this reason, the well-known phrase "the dog is man's best friend", which is also usually very true. However, build a relationship with your pet so that later he becomes your "best friend" is not a simple task, nor quick to achieve, it is a process that requires a lot of effort, patience and time.It can also happen that even if we have years with Our dog, we have not been able to establish that connection that we love so much and that we also know that the dog needs.The question is: How can I do to improve the relationship with my dog? The relationship with our dog is something we have to work on.If you want to know how to improve the bond with your pet, continue reading this article of E xpertoAnimal where we will help you cross this goal.Rest assured that you will discover a new unconditional partner. Hello! I want to be your frien...

Where the peacock lives

We are used to seeing peacocks in parks and gardens of all continents, with the exception of Antarctica, because, because of its striking plumage and being a simple animal to tame, the peacock has been introduced in those areas centuries ago, but where does it originate from? areas you can find wild peacocks ? To clarify all your doubts regarding this topic, at ExpertAnimal.com we explain where peacocks live , Keep reading! Asian origin of wild peacocks To answer the question where peacocks live, it should be noted that the common peacock is native to southern India and the island of Ceilan (Sri Lanka) At present, populations of wild peacocks are mostly found in the Indian subcontinent and in Sri Lanka, in the driest areas of the island, although the probability of finding groups of wild peacocks is not it is limited both to a specific geographical area and to the habitat where the species can thrive. Peacocks feed on berries, seeds, young shoots, insects and even smal...

Why do chow chow have blue tongues?

Chow chow's tongue is blue or purple due to the presence of pigment cells , that is, cells that contain elements called pigments that provide that color.Genetically they have a higher concentration of these cells and, therefore, have a different color to the other races.These cells, in addition to being in the tongue, are, above all, in the mucous membranes, that is why the chow chow is the only dog with lips, gums and palate characterized by being blue/blackish, if not almost entirely. A curious fact is that this characteristic is not only presented by certain dogs such as chow chow, but we also see it present in other animals such as giraffes, the breed of Jersey cattle and some bear families, such as the polar bear.In fact, some studies conclude that chow chow comes from Hemicyon , a species of mammal that is between the dog and now extinct bears, and that he lived in the Miocene.However, there is still no definitive scientific evidence to reduce this hypothesis, so, for ...

5 homemade cat toys

Cats love the game and it's understandable.This is an essential activity for their well-being , since it inhibits acute and chronic stress.Cats begin to play around two weeks of age, first to hunt shadows, thus learning to coordinate. Behaviors of game are very important for a cat, especially if he lives alone (without the presence of other cats).The owner must stimulate this behavior so essential, always through toys, and avoiding hands. In this article of ExpertAnimal we have compiled several crafts from our YouTube channel: 5 jug Homemade toys for cats-Easy, cheap and recycled .If you are looking for cheap DIY options you have come to the right place! 1.Toy and DIY cat food dispenser The first toy we propose is a food dispenser, commercially known as kong.It is a toy that stimulates your intelligence and physical activity and is especially positive for cats with anxiety or stress.do it on our YouTube video about 3 toys for homemade cats or follow the instructions: ...

Urinary incontinence in cats - Causes and treatment

Who has a cat at home knows how careful they are with their personal hygiene , especially when it comes to using its waste box correctly.When the cat gets dirty outside its rightful place, this is an unequivocal sign that something is wrong, whether it is done intentionally or not. Keep reading this Animals and Pets Online article so you can find out everything about urinary incontinence in cats, their causes and treatment. What do we call urinary incontinence? It receives this name the inability that develops the animal to control the muscles of the urethra, so the sphincter does not remain closed , causing the cat can not decide at what time urinating, but continually suffers accidental spills or losses. Incontinence is never manifested for a casual reason nor should it be ignored, as it indicates that something is wrong in the feline's health, either emotionally or physical. When it has been confirmed that it is incontinence and not land marking, in no case should...

Why does my dog bark at some people and not others?

Why do dogs bark? To understand why your dog barks at some people and not others, you must first know why dogs bark, although our hairy people mostly use their body language to express their moods, emotions and perceptions about their surroundings , barking plays a very important role in its relationship with people, with other animals and with the surrounding environment. In their day to day, dogs bark to communicate the different emotions and experiences that they live, which depends a lot on the environment they are in and the stimuli they perceive.By saying stimuli we are not only referring to noises, images or smells, but also to the presence of other individuals in their territory (people, dogs, cats or other animals).Therefore, there are many possible meanings of the barking of dogs. In order to identify what each bark of dogs means our hairy, we must pay attention to their postu flush, facial expressions and their meanings.A stressed dog, in addition to barking, usual...

How to choose a feed for overweight dogs?

Bad habits such as lack of exercise or a little food adequate have caused about half of the dogs registered in Europe to be overweight.Excess fat can be highly harmful to the health of our dog, so we want to show you how to choose a feed for overweight dogs That really works. From ExpertAnimal we will give you the keys to make it right with the choice of food for your overweight dog and, thus, help you improve your quality of life and health. Avoid false advertising: light feed is not always light Oddly enough, most commercial dog food brands use the word "light" in ranges that simply contain a little less fat than usual or even less protein, without give too much importance to the rest of the ingredients.Dogs are mainly carnivorous animals and, as such, they must have a diet that is based mainly on meat, so we should never make the mistake of thinking that a feed with a low level of protein is It is better for our dog, whether or not he is overweight. A strategy wi...

How are dogs born? - Explanation and Birth

One aspect of dog care that more doubts and expectations arouse is the one related to their birth.That is why in this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain how dogs are born for information, both to know the reproduction of dogs and to know what to do in case of adopting a pregnant dog.Yes, it is important that, as caregivers, we have knowledge about pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, since they are especially sensitive situations in which it is important to know how to identify any alteration to consult to the veterinarian in time. And if you do not live with dogs but, equally, you are interested in knowing more about this animal species, then we talk about how dogs are born and we make a summary suitable for all audiences. Reproduction of the dogs Before stopping to explain how dogs are born, it is important to talk about the reproductive system of these animals.So, the reproduction of dogs is sexual, by copulation.To do this, bitches present two fertile ...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog