Dealing with Separation Anxiety Problems in Dogs
January 5, 2009 by Gyvel Young © 2010
Filed under ALL ABOUT DOGS, Dog Behavior, featured
Please! Don’t LEAVE me this way!!!
Resolving Separation Anxiety Problems in Dogs
by Jacque Lynn Schultz, Director, ASPCA Special Projects ASPCA
Supposedly, absence makes the heart grow fonder. However, the absence of an owner sends some dogs into wailing and barking, frequent house soiling, and self-destructive behaviors. These are all signs that a dog is suffering from separation anxiety.
The canines most likely to fall victim are second-hand dogs. Whether from a shelter, rescue group, or greyhound-track adoption program, dogs re-homed in adolescence or older are at greater risk of suffering separation anxiety than puppies. This is probably because it is more difficult for these dogs to accept changes in their routine and environment. They cling to their new pack leader and panic when that leader leaves home to go about his or her daily business. For similar reasons, unemployed companion animal owners or those who take lengthy at-home vacations or recuperations may find that their dog becomes disoriented when they return to work. These distressed pets need help.
Separation anxiety is often a problem of over-bonding. It is not healthy for a dog to follow his caretakers’ every step, to be constantly in the same room, sharing the same piece of furniture, being in close contact all the time. Promote independence by teaching the dog to down and stay on his own bed while you go out of sight. Start with a few seconds, then build up to a length of time the dog can tolerate. Put up a gate and eventually close a door between the two of you. Get family members involved in dispensing the “good stuff” to the dog. Walks, play sessions, and feedings should not be provided by only one person, for that person’s absence means the end of all that is good in the world to the dog. Panic can ensue. If you live alone, perhaps a neighbor or relative will share the duties, or hire a pet-care professional to assist you.
The worst of a dog’s hysteria is often during the first hour after departure. Diffuse the emotion of your leave-taking by heartily exercising the dog right after you wake up. Then, after feeding him, scale back your attention to the point of ignoring him during the last 15 minutes before you leave. Turn off the lights and turn on the television, radio, or white-noise machine—whatever you play most when you are home. And with no more than a whispered “Be good,” leave the house.
Some dogs will read the signs of imminent departure and begin to work themselves into a frenzy. If putting on make-up, packing a lunch, or shuffling papers in your briefcase distresses the dog, desensitize him to these or other actions by doing them frequently and at other times (such as before mealtime) so they lose their direct connection to the dreaded departure. Presenting a toy stuffed with goodies can draw the focus of less seriously afflicted canines toward cleaning out the item and away from your leaving. Buster cubes, Kong toys, Goodie balls/ships work well as canine diversions. Unfortunately, the seriously afflicted dog will not give the toy a second look until his pack is together again.
Separation anxiety can be severe and all-consuming to some dogs. I have known dogs to jump through second-story plate-glass windows, eat through sheetrock walls into neighboring apartments, and bloody their paws and noses trying to dig through wooden doors or out of crates. These individuals need professional assessment by an applied animal behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist, for they may need pharmacological aid while they undergo desensitization exercises. Some people choose to manage the problem by dropping off their dogs at day care or adopting a second dog so they are never truly alone.
Luckily, if the earlier suggestions are followed, the majority of dogs will be howling “I will survive” in no time.
Hey! What’s Wrong with Fido? Compulsive Behavior
July 6, 2008 by Gyvel Young © 2010
Filed under ALL ABOUT DOGS, Dog Behavior, Dog Training
SecurePet Pet Sitter Services of Wimberley, Texas Presents Local Dog Behaviorist: Joan for Dogs
What’s Cute and What’s Not?
I was inspired to write this after watching a television show that featured “funny” videos. Okay, the human behavior was relatively funny, even a few of the animal videos were cute. There were a few videos that were quite disturbing.
Watching the dog relentlessly chasing his tail, or the one chasing the laser light on the wall hit my dog behavior nerve!
Generally, compulsive behaviors are demonstrated by repetitive, excessive, out of normal context actions. Such as the two I listed above, however, there are many more.
Usually, these actions are exaggerated normal canine behavior, such as the need to hunt or explore.
Disturbances of the seeking system are also culprits of these behaviors some people find entertaining. These generally occur out of frustration, anxiety and or social conflict.
I always suggest getting a physical by your Veterinarian first. Ruling out any physiological problems, we then can try and help your dog psychologically.
Personally, I have to observe the dog in ‘action’ in his everyday environment, noting what triggers these behaviors helps to find a solution.
The dogs that display these behaviors are not happy. Many times these “funny” displays are accompanied by self destructing behaviors such as compulsive licking, chewing on themselves or destroying property. I have seen cases where dogs have literally chewed through drywall, dug up carpeting even jumped through a glass window. And of course, aggressive behavior and biting. Now the human isn’t quite so entertained.
When these latter behaviors are exhibited the first reaction is to punish the dog, thinking in terms of basic ‘good’ and ‘bad’ dogs. Like anything in life, there is little black and white, but a whole lot of gray!
Before I go on I must get on my soap box and say “Please Please spay and neuter your pets.” Unless you are a dedicated person who shows dogs in conformation, which is to better the breed there is absolutely no excuse to have an intact animal. They are happier being spayed/neutered, their unwanted puppies are happier, I am happier. It disgusts me to see a box of puppies in the grocery store parking lot, or on a street corner in the hot sun.
Back to dog behavior………….
What we have to remember with our wonderful dogs is that they are dogs. Dogs have specific drives and needs, when these aren’t met we have created an animal that will invent and display behaviors that meet their needs to feel complete. This applies to mixed breeds as well, most drives and needs are breed specific, however some are environmental, conditioned needs.
This is why it is so important to research the breed of dog before you invest in that particular breed. Unfortunately, popularity plays a large part of peoples choices, there are so many examples, but I will use this one:
Jack Russell Terrier, cute and small. They are fantastic dogs, however, the general thought is “they are small, I live in an apartment, perfect.” Yes, they are small, but high energy, very high energy. Unless you are dedicated to walk this dog, (a lot) and direct his active brain in constructive ways, you are in trouble. Because they were bred to ‘rat’, they have specific psychological and physical needs. When, through no fault of their own, these needs are not met, you get behavioral issues that can be overwhelming, which in turn results in over population in shelters. So research and talk to people who know dog behavior before going through the heartache.
My classes consist of three things:
1. Basic obedience: To make the dog focus and establish human leadership.
2. Fun agility: To challenge the dog’s focus this off-lead obstacle training is without corrections and lots of treats, fun!
3. Socialization: When the dogs are focused and equality is established playtime can begin. In a controlled dog-park setting, off-lead time plus stimulating toys and a kiddie pool are offered. With loving owners watching, we can discuss behavioral issues, good and bad.
I also make house calls for behavioral problems and private lessons.
With all of this said, think twice about those ‘cute’ behaviors and pay attention to your dog’s specific needs. Life is short, live in harmony!!
Wimberley, Texas
Joan is a dog behavior specialist living in the Wimberley, Texas area. You can contact Joan through her web site: Joan for Dogs
“Watching the dog relentlessly chasing his tail, or the one chasing the laser light on the wall hit my dog behavior nerve!” Joan, dog behaviorist, Wimberley, Texas.
