At times it may seem like you own two different dogs when you really only have one. Is the following a familiar scenario for you: When you are at home, your dog is very well behaved. It listens to your commands, only chews on bones and other doggie toys and barks only when you ask it to “speak.” However, it transforms into a completely different animal when you leave it home alone. It tears up the furniture, chews up your clothes, scratches at doors and barks incessantly.
It may sound like something right out of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but most likely your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. One of the most common causes of canine behavior problems, separation anxiety occurs when your dog has a severe dislike or fear of being isolated. In addition to being stressful for both dogs and their owners, the condition can often put a strain on our relationships with our four-legged best friends.
However, separation anxiety is like global warming (i.e., it does exist), but it is not what most people think it is. From a therapist’s perspective, it is curable, but it is certainly one of the more difficult dog behavioral issues to fix, often taking several months if the anxiety is acute.
My personal view is that it has (wrongly) almost become fashionable amongst dog-owners, and yet this phenomenon is nothing as trivial as fashion or status. The other day, whilst enjoying a walk down Fifth Avenue South, I caught a snippet of a conversation from one woman to her friend over coffee, “Oh my dog suffers from terrible separation anxiety!” she declared, almost with a sense of pride which left one wondering whether the sub-text was “My dog loves me more than your dog loves you, because if (s)he really loved you, then (s)he would have separation anxiety too!”
So, let’s be clear about this, if Rover has (genuine) separation anxiety, then it is not because he is worried about being left alone; rather it is because Rover is worried about how his owner can possibly cope in that big, bad outside world without Rover there to look after them! Now, what does that tell you about the relationship between the owner and Rover?
When we view the problem of separation anxiety in the home environment, we notice many factors that contribute to it. One is called passive influence – that is, allowing the dog to train the owner to perform a variety of commands for him. One example is the dog asking to be let outside several times a day, only to find the dog didn’t really want to go out. He was simply checking on your training. He may request to be petted constantly, again testing to see if you will do what he requests. Another way in which the dog manipulates for leadership is by being first to answer the door, first when going for a walk, or first just walking room to room. Dogs place much emphasis on who leads the pack.
To treat separation anxiety, the owner must express leadership towards the dog in a canine way. Most owners over-indulge their dogs, whether the dog is dominant or timid. The owner provides food, shelter, entertainment and love, but provides no leadership.
Owners need to look at separating the dog from them when they are home. We have dogs because we love so many things about them, especially their companionship. However, if separation is an issue for your dog, then you need to practice this while you are at home. Do not have the dog stick to you like glue. Make him stay in another room on a mat, or put him outside and scatter some food over the back lawn to keep him occupied. (Dogs love to forage.)
The crate is an excellent tool for training, if used correctly. Some owners put their dogs in the crate only when they are leaving, so the dog views it as a sad, unpleasant place. If you have been doing this, make a simple change – acclimate your dog to the crate so that he sees it as a safe haven. Place the crate in an area that is away from people traffic so the dog does not feel somewhat isolated. Continue to crate him periodically until he looks at the crate as his shelter, even entering it on his own.
You should never use his crate as a place of punishment or banishment, and when you do need to leave him, the best way to reduce everyone’s stress is for you to put your dog in the crate a good 5-10 minutes before you leave your home, but don’t pay him much attention during that time, and when it is time to leave, just go, with the minimum of fuss.
Dogs with behavioral problems are not happy dogs. They suffer stress just as we do and express it through their behavior or through physical ailments. The cycle needs to be broken so that your dog can resign as leader, so he can sit back and feel content knowing you are the leader and that his pack is safe.
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Colin Glass is a dog behavioral therapist and trainer with Bark Busters, the world’s largest dog training company. Bark Busters trainers, who have trained more than 500,000 dogs worldwide, are renowned authorities in correcting dog behavior with all-natural, dog-friendly methods. For more information, call 1-877-500-BARK (2275) or visit www.BarkBusters.com.
