The sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs and other animals consists of the development of fears and phobiasthat cause instability in the dog, leading him to perform behaviors that are not desired by his human companion, such as excessive barking in certain situations, paralysis due to fear or biting other dogs or humans.
If you have recently adopted a young or adult dog and it exhibits abnormal or presumably pathological behavior at a mental level, you may be dealing with a dog that has suffered isolation during a critical period of growth and has developed this syndrome. In this article on our site we will talk about sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs, we will discuss the possible causes, the symptoms, how we might diagnose it and its treatment.
Causes of sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs
The main cause of this syndrome is a isolation during the dog's socialization in any of the early stages of the puppy's neural development.
Dogs during their childhood go through four development phases and deprivation of stimuli or contact with other animals or humans can cause damage in the development of his personality, causing aberrant and unwanted behaviors in adulthood, such as pathological fear, observing that the dog is afraid of everything, of situations and/or objects or noises. These four periods are:
- Neonatal period(from birth to two weeks of age): During this phase, the puppy is limited to foraging and warmth of the mother or her brothers. Their sensory or motor abilities are severely limited A dog or other animal, including humans, deprived of this period may not fully develop certain hypothalamic functions (region of the brain that is responsible, among other things, for regulating mood).
- Transition period: From the third week of age, a dog begins to respond to visual and auditory stimuli, since he begins to develop these senses. At this time the relationship with his mother becomes somewhat less dependent and it is time to get to know the world around him. He can walk, play games with his siblings, wag his tail in response to stimuli he receives and touch, and bite objects or other beings.
- Socialization Period (from four weeks to twelve or fourteen weeks of age): This is perhaps themost important and sensitive period for the correct physical and mental development of a dog. In this phase he 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 what he can be calm. He will also learn where to relieve himself, how to behave with other dogs, humans or other animals of different species. He will develop his curiosity and exploratory character, he will move further and further away from the place where he rests with his mother and brothers. Around six to eight weeks is the key time to start socializing with humans.
- Juvenile period (from week twelve to adulthood): during this phase the dog must achieve thesocial independence and not creating attachment, which can lead to separation anxiety and, in turn, destructive behaviors. It is essential, during this stage, to teach the dog the rules of the family with which it will spend the rest of its 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 sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs.
Symptoms of sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs
Just as we should know the he althy 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 other dogs, from humans or from any visual or sound stimulus will cause pathological fear
The symptoms we can observe when the dog is faced with any novel situation:
- Paralysis or blockage.
- Rejection of contact with possible escape or attempt to bite.
- Uncontrolled barking.
- Involuntary urination.
- Predatory aggressiveness.
- Overdrive.
- Neurodegenerative symptoms: skin problems or digestive disorders (anorexia).
My dog is afraid of everything, could it be sensory deprivation syndrome?
Fear of everything can be caused by sensory deprivation syndrome due to the reasons stated in previous sections, however, it is not the only possible cause. In those dogs that have experienced multiple traumatic experiences, it is also possible to observe this type of behavior that sometimes leads to a phobia. For this reason, if you have just adopted a fearful dog and you do not know its previous life, it is best to go to an ethologist to evaluate the case and establish an appropriate work plan for the animal.
Diagnosis of sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs
If you think your dog may suffer from this syndrome you should first consult a veterinarian who can perform the relevant tests to rule out any other pathology. Once it is determined that the dog's he alth status is correct, the next step will be to visit a canine ethologist who is authorized to carry out a behavioral study of the dog. dog and can establish, through an anamnesis and specific 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 most appropriate therapy to treat sensory deprivation syndrome in dogs. Usually, this treatment can be behavioral or through drugs:
- Behavioral therapy: in this case, the ethologist or dog trainer will study the case and choose the best treatment for the animal. Trying to achieve a state in which the dog stops being terrified of new situations.
- Drug therapy: here the veterinarian will establish a drug treatment to reduce the dog's stress levels.
Likewise, it is possible that the specialist in charge of the case decides to carry out a combined treatment, that is, in which drugs are administered and work is done with the animal to treat its fears. In any case, it is vital to never force the animal or force it to expose itself to what causes fear.
