What About Genetics?

While it’s known that genetics can play a role in the development of anxiety in dogs, it is important to recognize that anxiety is complex and genetics is just one piece of the puzzle. Things such as environmental/social factors and traumatic experiences play a big role in anxiety separation development for dogs. When COVID dogs (dogs that were gotten during the COVID pandemic lockdown) were adopted during the pandemic lockdown they became used to having their owner around all the time as the owner most likely did their work or school or both from home, remotely. The dogs being so used to their owners being home got attached to the point of any separation between the two would cause distress in the dog. Stefanie Schwartz wrote in an article titled Separation anxiety syndrome in dogs and cats, “In dogs, the degree of distress is likely dependent, in part, on the degree of attachment to an absent figure.”

Separation anxiety symptoms that are common do not include genetics, “Common risk factors associated with SAS in dogs include a history of traumatic separation, inexperience with being left alone, excessive greetings and pro- longed departures by owners, changes in the owner’s routine (dogs susceptible to SAS may develop clinical signs in response to even slight changes in routine), relocation to a new home, addition of a new pet sitter, and a death in the family (conspecific or other family member).” (Schwartz). While genetics can play a part in anxiety, “Dogs may also have a genetic predisposition to develop anxiety,” it is not the most common reason behind separation anxiety in dogs. According to the authors of a ScienceDirect article, “[…] previous studies reported that the development of anxiety disorders could be associated with many factors including breed, sex, age, the dog’s age when owners obtained it, and the source from which the owner obtained the dog.”

One argument in the idea that separation anxiety in dogs is genetic, is that certain breeds are more prone to anxiety. While it’s true that mixed breed dogs may have higher chances of anxiety, that does not mean that every mixed breed will have anxiety. Anxiety, as a disorder, is seen as an interaction between environmental and developmental factors. According to the Genetic and environmental factors interact to influence anxiety journal, “Both genetic and environmental factors influence normal anxiety traits as well as anxiety disorders.” It is important to know that while genetics can play a role in behaviors of dogs, these traits are not set.

One of the biggest factors in the development of anxiety for dogs is their environment. Dogs who are raised in environments where they experience neglect or trauma are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. According to Peter L. Berstein, “[…] neglect if it was forgotten or if […] dogs have a significantly higher risk for separation anxiety.” Early experiences with situations, people, and other animals are important to how dogs handle stress. Puppies who do not receive correct socialization during the age window of five to fourteen weeks, may develop fears that later turn into anxiety. According to the authors of the article, Critical Period in the Social Development of Dogs,  dogs’ critical period of development is between five to fourteen weeks. “The socialization period is also the period when puppies learn how to handle stressful situations, such as meeting new dogs, going to novel environments and thunderstorms.” (Kimberly Brown).

It’s also important to know the role of training and socialization in preventing anxiety in dogs. Well-trained or well-socialized dogs are usually more confident, which can reduce their  anxiety. A lack of training or socialization can contribute to behavior problems, including separation anxiety. Inadequate training can occur when a dog is not taught how to be independent thus causing them to develop separation anxiety. According to HPM,  “In some cases, dogs may follow their owners due to separation anxiety. This can manifest as distress when separated from their owners, leading to constant following as a means to alleviate their anxiety.” Many dogs that are initially fine with being alone may develop anxiety when their owners return from a long absence, like if an owner who was at home for a long period of time left to go back to work. This development is not due to genetic factors, but instead due to a lack of training and desensitization.  According to the authors of a ScienceDirect article titled The efficacy of systematic desensitization for treating the separation-related problem behaviour of domestic dogs, “Systematic desensitization is a technique widely used in human behaviour modification for the treatment of phobias or fear/anxiety responses to a particular stimulus (Cooper et al., 1987, Wolpe, 1962). It involves the gradual and progressive introduction of the stimulus eliciting the phobia (in this case, the absence of the dog’s owner).” 

Additionally, the way a dog’s owner interacts with them can also have an impact on its emotional state. Dogs who are constantly coddled may develop anxiety due to a lack of exposure to the outside world. According to the K9 coach, “Giving too much attention to an animal creates a need in the animal for constant attention and they are less likely to become independent thinking dogs, explore on their own, or make judgments”

In conclusion, while certain breeds may have temperaments that make them more prone to nervousness or reactivity, the claim that anxiety in dogs is primarily due to genetic factors is not true. Anxiety in dogs is likely to be from environmental stressors, poor socialization, and past traumatic experiences than from genetics. By focusing on the environmental, social, and experiential causes of anxiety, rather than genetic determinism, we can ensure that dogs receive the care and support they need to thrive.

References

Arhant, C., King, J. N., Lund, J. D., McCrave, E. A., Palestrini, C., Takeuchi, Y., Turner, D. C., Azrin, N. H., Borchelt, P. L., Bradshaw, J. W. S., Cooper, J. O., Cottman, N., Davison, G. C., & Diesel, G. (2010, December 18). The efficacy of systematic desensitization for treating the separation-related problem behaviour of domestic dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159110002923?casa_token=6Ym0GrfeV3cAAAAA%3A5lbpEuIheE6LPGof2sOPyhaP-Y2pehO9X8TcS4L-JGQuoQ9YndZfs0UsWDflujDg22HmKhIUnXg 

Berstein, P. L. (2005). Mental health and well-being in animals. Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=_SpBX5jqxyEC&oi=fnd&pg=PA167&dq=anxiety%2Bin%2Bdogs%2Bdue%2Bto%2Bneglect&ots=lmIUbGDgQA&sig=IzfWQLNj-RSI6obFkka_OTS5zxU#v=onepage&q=anxiety%20in%20dogs%20due%20to%20neglect&f=false 

Brigman, D. (2024, January 29). Don’t coddle the dog. The K9 Coach Carolinas. https://www.k9coach.dog/blog/coddling 

Dreschel, N. A., Konok, V., McGreevy, P. D., Siniscalchi, M., Takeuchi, Y., Temesi, A., & Vas, J. (2017, July 3). Dogs predisposed to anxiety disorders and related factors in Japan. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159117301958?casa_token=tjE-0u_CPc4AAAAA%3AQas6zx8YtClXYM5vxVAZwee42KXK3tf7_nxKhvC5RrVqcmoDcHgiIG2SfapAIeEkyjIo-_yFL_c 

Gross, C., & Hen, R. (2019, November 20). Genetic and environmental factors interact to influence anxiety – neurotoxicity research. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF03033286 

M, H. P. (n.d.). Happy Pup Manor. Google. https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fhappypupmanor.com%2Fwhy-does-my-dog-follow-me-everywhere%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DSeparation%2520Anxiety%3A%2520A%2520Deeper%2520Issue.%2520In%2520some%2Cas%2520a%2520means%2520to%2520alleviate%2520their%2520anxiety&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1732399952692587&usg=AOvVaw1GAvP7S2II7C0nki3chvwF 

Meneses, T., Robinson, J., Rose, J., Vernick, J., & Overall, K. L. (2021, November 15). Review of epidemiological, pathological, genetic, and epigenetic factors that may contribute to the development of separation anxiety in dogs. AVMA. https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/259/10/javma.20.08.0462.xml 

Petroff, Dr. M. (2021, November 18). Anxious dog breeds: Dogs that are more prone to anxiety. Dutch. https://www.dutch.com/blogs/dogs/anxious-dog-breeds#:~:text=Key%20takeaway,heightened%20chances%20of%20anxious%20responses