Separation Anxiety
More than ever before, separation anxiety is a leading cause for many dogs to be re-homed for household destruction and lots of medical intervention. As always, an ounce of prevention is worth many, many pounds of cure!
In the beginning when you bring a new dog or puppy into your household, it is imperative to teach them that being alone can be a good thing. If you are worried about leaving them alone, you compound the potential of severe separation anxiety to begin. Your first line of action is to be comfortable with leaving your dog home and understanding why. While it’s fun to take your dog with you, there are times when you simply cannot, such as when the weather is too warm or too cold and it is life threatening for your dog to stay in a car. It can be inappropriate for a dog at a social function such as a wedding. And, if a dog is unable to stay by themselves, an overnight at the veterinarian in an emergency or for a health problem, the stress for your dog is compounded so the visit can be very scary.
Dogs with separation anxiety are often dogs that are extremely spoiled. Yes, I said spoiled. They demand food or treats and get it. They tell you when it’s time to walk and then get to go. They drop a ball in you lap and insist upon playing and play until THEY want to stop, not when YOU want to stop. They sleep wherever they want – in bed, on the sofa, etc. In essence, they have few rules and run the household.
Spoiling a dog is emotionally unhealthy for a dog and separation anxiety is usually one of the results. While you may think you are doing your dog favors by giving your dog anything the dog asks for, it ultimately makes the dog think they WILL get anything they ask for. One way to think about separation anxiety is to realize that if leaving the dog behind is not on the dog’s agenda, then essentially, they have a temper tantrum and tear the house apart.
The other way to think about it is that the destructive behavior is fear. If dogs always get everything they want, then there is no leader. Spoiled dogs become the leaders directing the household. If the dog is not a natural leader, this is extremely stressful for him. If dogs are left alone, then stress, anxiety or fear is overwhelming because they have become so dependent upon you. Dependence is not leadership. A good leader fosters confident independence which results in comfort while being alone.
Whatever the reason for the separation anxiety, the cure is always the same. Activities include providing a leadership program, not a spoiling program that goes on every day in the home. Start immediately not taking the dog with you everywhere. Use a crate for your puppy or dog to FEEL safe and BE safe in. Dogs are denning animals and a crate can be the den they need for security. Make leaving a fun thing for the dog – they only get a certain special long term treat when you leave and no other time. Come home and be boring. Make LEAVING be the fun time, not coming home. IGNORE your dog when you come home for at least 10 minutes.
You can prevent separation anxiety by the way you treat your dog on an everyday basis and starting as soon as you bring your puppy or dog home. Feel good when your dog LOVES WHEN YOU LEAVE!
Leaving your dog home shouldn’t be an unhappy moment
for either you or your dog. Marcus sleeps peacefully while I am go
Copyright Fran Jewell, IAABC CDBC and NADOI Certified Instructor #1096 2015
