Changes

==Maintenance stimuli==

==Maintenance stimuli==

Research in dogs supports a hypothesis that emotional homeostasis in dogs is dependent o the presence of "maintenance stimuli". <ref>Appleby, D., Pluijmakers, J. (2004) Separation Anxiety in Dogs: The Function of Homeostasis in its Development and Treatment. ''Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice''. 205-215.</ref>

Research in dogs supports a hypothesis that emotional homeostasis in that species is dependent on the presence of "maintenance stimuli" in the animal's environment<ref>Appleby, D., Pluijmakers, J. (2004) Separation Anxiety in Dogs: The Function of Homeostasis in its Development and Treatment. ''Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice''. 205-215.</ref>. Maintenance stimuli are those stimuli which the puppy experiences in the secure presence of its mother during the sensitive period, typically in and around the maternal den. These stimuli are associated with parasympathetic arousal. As the puppy develops, its attachment and reliance on its mother decreases, and it becomes more engaged with its environment and other members of its social group. When an environment contains sufficient maintenance stimuli, an adult dog will remain in a parasympathetic state, when maintenance stimuli are absent then the dog will enter a state of sympathetic arousal. For dogs in an unfamiliar environment, stress can be buffered by the presence of other members of the social group. This hypothesis is used to explain how puppies that are reared in a non-domestic setting such as a kennel or shed lack a suitable set of maintenance stimuli and become dependent on people and other animals as a source of security. This hypothesis could be used to explain some aspects of separation problems in cats, but it is important to acknowledge species differences.

==Prevention==

==Prevention==