Is your canine friend showing signs of separation anxiety in dogs? This type of destructive dog behavior can make life an absolute nightmare for a dog owner. In fact, it’s the second most common reason that dogs are either given away or even put to sleep.
You can avoid these bad outcomes by learning the signs of this condition, and finding out what you need to do about it.
Signs Of Separation Anxiety In Dogs
Dogs with separation anxiety may show different levels of bad behavior. A dog with a mild case may pace around, pant, and over-groom himself.
A dog with a more severe case may bark frantically for hours, driving the neighbors crazy. He may display destructive dog behavior, tearing up whatever he can get a hold of. Your dog may urinate or defecate inappropriately in the house. He may go so far as to mutilate himself by chewing on his own tail, yanking out fur, and licking himself until he bleeds.
If you dread coming home because you don’t know what kind of mess is awaiting you, it’s time to take action to solve this problem.
Is Separation Anxiety Really The Problem, Or Is It Simply A Bored Dog?
Is your dog is bored, or does he really have a separation anxiety problem? Here’s how you can tell:
- Destructive dog behavior occurs only when you leave him alone. If he’s destroying things just to amuse himself, he’ll do it anytime, not just when he’s by himself.
- Your dog is “hyperattached” to you. He follows you around the house, wanting you to hold him all the time. This is flattering for the owner, but it’s not healthy for your dog to be this attached to you.
- He’s learned what you do when you leave, and he starts getting distressed before you go.
- He begins destructive behavior within 30 minutes of your leaving home.
- He tries to destroy barriers, like a door. A dog may go after the door he last saw you go out of.
- Your dog barks in repeated, high-pitched yips. This is reminiscent of a puppy’s distress call when he or she is separated from mom.
Your dog may not do all of these things, but if your dog is showing some of these behaviors, this shows his problem is not boredom.
Suggestions For Dealing With Dogs With Separation Anxiety
You may be surprised to learn that separation anxiety in canines is related to dominance issues. In a wild dog pack, the leader can leave. The others, however, never go away from the leader on their own.
If your dog thinks he’s the alpha dog, or pack leader, he’ll get very upset if you leave him, since you’re not supposed to do that. He thinks he’s responsible for you, and if you go away, something might happen to you. Many times, once you establish yourself as the pack leader, the separation anxiety goes away.
Your dog needs lots of exercise to use up all that energy he has. You should take your dog for a brisk walk twice a day. You need to understand that your dog instinctively knows that the pack leader goes first. He should be walking next to you or behind you, so that he’s following you, the pack leader. Allowing him to pull ahead of you on his leash is telling him that he’s the alpha male, not you.
So there you have it; now you can see how easy it is to inadvertently train your dog to do exactly what you don’t want him to do. You can avoid this by finding a dog training course that focuses on teaching you how dogs think. Once you understand how your dog’s mind works, separation anxiety in dogs is much easier to deal with.
Darlene Norris
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/separation-anxiety-in-dogs-and-what-your-dog-wishes-you-knew-736286.html
#1 by nuttyflower on May 2, 2010 - 9:14 am
Anyone have any advice so I do not have to get rid of my dog?
ok, so i know i made a mistake when choosing my dog, but my boyfriend fell in love with him as a puppy and i could not say no to him. I wish i would have, we live in an apartment and the dog is too big and we don’t have a backyard. We rescued him from the humane society and I really don’t want to give him back. He is super smart: has picked up on all the tricks we taught him. And he is also really sweet and affectionate. Here is his problems: when people come into the apartment he gets real hyper and all up our faces barking and jumping all over the place. it gets really annoying because he doesn’t calm down. The other problem is separation anxiety: he is so destructive when we leave. He spends about an hour a day in his kennel (if he doesn’t break out) and when we leave him he goes nuts chewing up our stuff. He has chewed up some really expensive things and also some irreplaceable items (that really hurt). He breaks out of every kennel we have gotten. the next step is an expensive outdoor kennel that is way to big for our home. I don’t know what to do. Last night I went out for a couple of hours and when i got home he had escaped (again!) from his kennel and ruined my boyfriends favorite leather jacket. I have put alot of work into him and I consider myself a good trainer. We have taken him to classes, but all training classes do is teach him things i am able to teach him myself and they don’t help with his real problems. I yell at him and i know your not supposed to but sometimes its the only way to get through to him. My sister is a so called animal loving vegitarian and wants to get a shock collar for him (of course i say no way). Sorry for droning on but i am at a loss. I feed him the best food, excersize him, give him vitamins. I really like him but he is also a pain in the butt and is causing problems with me and my family. I hate the thought of getting rid of him but i don’t know what to do. He is 10 months old and some kind of shepard blue heeler mix. help.
#2 by ladystang on May 2, 2010 - 2:16 pm
training and lots of exercise.
References :
#3 by raspberryph on May 2, 2010 - 2:18 pm
this dog needs a lot of exercise to get rid of his energy and APPROPRIATE CHEW TOYS.
Buy him some big bones from petsmart and those Kong toys you can fill with peanut butter. Makes sure he gets outside and walks for at least 30 mins a day — it will be good for both you & him and you will start to see a different dog.
Rememeber he is young this will wear off — but exercise will help tremendously
ALSO — big thing is doggie daycare. is there any available in your area? Run a google search with your zip code and check the phone book. This will wear him out for sure! I have heard owners rave about dog daycare… they spend the whole day playing with other dogs…. and you can do it just a few days a week…. so he has something to do.
its not that expensive usually either.
References :
#4 by Sarah on May 2, 2010 - 2:20 pm
Consider having someone come over during the day when you are gone for extended periods of time. Have them play with him and give him treats. Teach him that you leaving is not a bad thing. You will come back, and in the meantime, he might get to meet a new friend and have fun. Make sure he’s getting plenty of exercise, though, definitely! He is very much still a puppy and will have puppy energy.
We had a similar problem with my dog and visitors. Early on we made him sit when anyone from the family walked in the door (it took lots of practice). He still bounces around while he’s sitting, but he knows that as soon as he stands up we’ll turn his back on him. It’s much more manageable than him running circles around people and greeting them. He sometimes forgets around strangers, but a couple of more reminders and I think he’ll really get it. They’re puppies, they get excited, they just need to understand their boundaries of what is "too" excited I think.
Also, do you know how he is getting out of his crate? You might want to look into that.
References :
#5 by livin life on May 2, 2010 - 2:22 pm
1 he needs to get probably alot more excersise..I mean alot more….an hour in the morn, again when u get home and b4 bed….why not look into renting a house with a yard. Bring in a trainer and follow his advice and methods.
Get boyfriend to help excesise him.
References :
#6 by marci knows best on May 2, 2010 - 2:24 pm
It really sounds like this dog needs a larger home with a dog proof space.This is NOT a good apartment dog, but you know that. The mix is very high energy and needs 1 1/2 hours of serious exercise every day minimum plus lots of mental stimulation. Sitting in a box does not give a dog mental stimulation. If I were going to be stuck in a box I would have separation anxiety too.
Plus you have gone to the wrong trainers. The jumping on people should have been addressed. Take him back to the shelter. They never should have let this dog go to an apartment.
References :
#7 by raunda1 on May 2, 2010 - 2:26 pm
Your plea for help is sad because it is obvious you love the dog, and you have tried all you know. You have to realize that at 10 months he is still just a baby, full of energy and excitement at anything new. People coming over is a new adventure. Hang in there and wait it out. Keep training. He is in his "terrible twos" stage like a baby. My neighbor got a puppy for her kids and hated the dog for the first year or so until he matured. Now she loves the dog like crazy. The fact he has learned so many tricks demonstrates he is smart. Keep at it. Let him know when he has done wrong with stern loud voices. And praise him like crazy when he listens. Dogs love to please their master and he will grow/learn to please you also. Whatever you do…………..Do not shock collar him. I’ve raised many, many dogs. I thought I’d try one as a training tool. The first time I ‘zapped’ the dog, he yelped in pain, jumped 3 feet in the air and messed all over the floor. He then did not want to come out of his box because he was terrified. In his mind, the pain came from nowhere. But I caused it and it broke my heart. I know they are popular, but I will never allow one in my home or on one of my babies again. Patience is the key and repetition…………Good Luck………
References :
#8 by The Lab Moose on May 2, 2010 - 2:28 pm
Depending on where you live and how much money you can put into fixing the situation, there are a lot of "dog day out" or "doggie day care’ businesses now. They are an excellent option for people with high-energy dogs that need more exercise than the owner can easily provide. The dogs gets socialization with other dogs and people, is not at home being destructive, and is able to run off a lot of energy during the day. Most have convenient hours for dropping off before and picking up after work.
You could hire a dog-walker to come by mid-day to prevent him from being alone for many hours at a time, but he will still have to learn to spend time in his kennel with no one home.
You can also try desensitizing him to the kennel, but this will take a lot of time and effort on your part. Put him in the kennel with something interesting- a kong toy with a treat inside, a sterilized beef bone, or some safe toy he can have unsupervised that he really likes (to keep it interesting and special, whatever toy you choose should only be given when he will be left in the kennel, and ONLY if you know he can be trusted to not hurt himself with it)- then leave for a short period. Try to return before he gets distressed. This may only be stepping out of the door for 1-5 minutes the first several times. Think of it like teaching him to stay- you gradually increase the time until he can handle being home alone in a kennel for hours.
As for jumping up on people- when you know you are going to have company, have his leash and collar on (ALWAYS keep him under your direct supervision with this). When someone is at the door, have him sit and stay. Keep these meetings/introductions/entrances calm. Be sure to keep control of him using the leash and collar- if he tries to get out of his sit, give a quick correction and have him sit again. Only when he is calm can he have the attention he wants from the guest. With some stubborn dogs, you may need a can filled with coins to add an unpleasant noise with your correction when he jumps to greet visitors. With very stubborn jobs, you may need a prong collar (which is safer than a choke chain- the prong collar will not tighten enough to cause permanent damage to your dog’s throat, while a choke chain type can). Practice these entrances with your boyfriend and you switching who controls the dog and who comes in the door. Keep going until he understands the "trick"- greeting people politely at the door.
References :
#9 by Miss Emily's kid on May 2, 2010 - 2:30 pm
OK. You admit it probably was not the best fit for your situation, but you love your dog. Trust me, I am so in your corner. My heeler mix is hyper, too. She drives me to the point of insanity. But I just gently take her muzzle in my 2 hands now and then, and whisper to her, "you are so lucky you have me, cuz anyone else would probably beat the snot out of you." I call her "psycho Sophie, shiva the destroyer" because she is quite the chewer. ( shiva is the hindu goddess of destruction)
What do I do? I toss my recycleables at her (such as cardboard or old shoes that I’m going to throw out) When they are down to a pulp type mass, I’m free to throw them out.
I blow up balloons so she can "herd" them. I play balloon badminton with her. (Supervised, of course. I don’t want her swallowing them) I take my racketball and "serve" her tennis ball to her. I have a steep driveway, so I sit at the top and watch her wear herself out going up and down the hill so I can serve the ball to her again.
Because she is destructive, I have limited her to my kitchen in an encased type area, and "Sophie proof" my home. Yes, it would be nice to let her roam free, but at whose expense?
I try to be as creative as possible in trying to work with her hyperactivity. But when she is totally out of control, I find a water spray bottle works wonders. She hates that thing! She sometimes jumps on me or other people when excited and training class was not completely effective in this realm.
No matter how irritating she gets, I try to focus on her loveliness and devotion. My daughter worships this dog. So I really don’t have much of a choice, my special needs dog is here for the duration.
And don’t let anyone tell you it’s an "owner" or a "training" issue. That is such bullshit. You have a unique dog, and need only find another home for it if your circumstances or lifestyle force you to make these changes! It’s not like you didn’t try hard enough!
References :
I don’t need a reference site. Psycho Sophie is my best resource. And she is a lovely, challenging dog who is teaching me the real meaning of enthusiasm.
#10 by DEBORAH on May 2, 2010 - 2:32 pm
You do have a problem. The vet may be able to help you with the separation anxiety. There are pills they can give them to calm them down. He is still a puppy and puppies are generally full of energy and always getting into things. When people come over, put him on a leash. He will probably pitch a fit, but if he has to stay on the leash he will get the message that he is being punished. Repeatedly do it and he will probably stop his bad behavior. Spend as much time with him as you can and he will bond with you and want to please you. I yell at mine and they don’t like it so they don’t tend to repeat the mistake they made. Get on the internet and look up dog behaviors and remedies. They may have some better advice than mine.
References :
#11 by Stephen A on May 2, 2010 - 2:34 pm
One way to improve your dog’s behavior is through training. See the changes dramatically in just few weeks of consistent training.
Various training guidelines here, http://pho.se/brr
References :