Perhaps it was your love for Guinness Beer that attributed to your desire of owning an Ireland-bred Irish Setter or maybe it was the findings from your hours of research while you were searching for the perfect companion for yourself or your family that ultimately sold you? Similarly to how this article describes the general temperament of an Irish Setter, this particular breed has proven over time to be an affectionate, highly-energetic and loyal companion that also make great family dogs, as they are great with children. These large companion dogs require lots of stimulating exercise, socialization, and human interaction on a daily basis. Going without, specifically due to their naturally playful demeanor, Irish Setter’s can easily get bored and engage in destructive behaviors as they don’t like to be left alone.

However, it’s important to note that there is a significant distinction between normal dog behavior, such as barking at the Post Man delivering mail, and your dog experiencing Separation Anxiety, which is best described as being extremely stressed and panicky due to your absence. If you have previously shrugged off things like household items being chewed up or have noticed consistent accidents upon returning home but simply chalked it up to your four-legged friend getting revenge for leaving him alone for too long, it would be beneficial to consult with your Veterinarian to discuss your concerns. While some dogs may only behave in such a manner for a short period of time, Separation Anxiety can cause your dog to suffer with long-term psychological effects if its left untreated.

It’s important to know that Separation Anxiety is both a manageable and treatable condition. Although it requires a little bit of love & compassion, consistency and training from its human counterpart, your Veterinarian may be able to additionally prescribe medication to calm your dog during those stressful periods of separation in order to reduce any destructive or self-injurious behaviors. To learn more about the specific behaviors or the Irish Setter breed in general, check out this resource for more information.