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.

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