It’s
not unusual to hear dog training clients on the phone worried about their dog behaving oddly
when they leave them in the house alone. Dog separation anxiety symptoms include...
 Barking or crying while you’re away
- Barking at you as you go to leave
- Nipping or biting you as you go to the door
- Losing bladder or bowel control while you’re away
It’s
not the easiest thing to remedy but it’s so important because a dog with
separation anxiety issues isn’t living a happy life. As a caring dog owner, you owe it
to them to do your best to alleviate your dog’s anxious state. It’s hard
because you’ll have to think with your head and not your heart in order to help
your dog.
In
many cases, dogs and owners become SO close that the dog simply can’t live
without the owner. We often talk about the bond between people and dogs, but
the truth is that too much isn’t always such a good thing. Dogs with separation
anxiety are never unloved, for sure. I hesitate to say they’re actually loved too much (Is that possible?), but you
can see where I’m heading with this: You can cause problems with your pet by
showing too much affection at the wrong times.
The
problem is that by feeling sorry for a worried dog with separation anxiety and lavishing
lots of affection on them at the wrong time, you can inadvertently make it
worse. (There’s nothing wrong with showing dogs affection – I’m as soft as
tripe with mine sometimes – but only at the right
times). When you leave the house don’t say goodbye, just make sure your pets
have the things they need – water, bedding etc – and go. Just come and go as
though you own the place (you probably do!). I know it sounds rude and it
doesn’t come naturally to people, but it’s the way of the world in the animal
kingdom. Pack leaders don’t ask permission – they just go when they want. If
you stoop to caress your dog, telling him “not to worry, I’ll be home soon”
etc, you’ll probably sound weak and that really doesn’t help.
You
can only help dog anxiety by acting as a good leader first and foremost. It’s
really no different in our world: If you’re feeling anxious or upset – would
you feel reassured by another anxious and upset person? How do nurses and
doctors with bad news to impart do their jobs? There’s a need to be both strong
and caring at the same time. It can’t be easy for them but believe me; it’s no
different for you and your dog. No matter how much you empathise, being
supportive requires strength and stability. Care – of course - but be strong
too. You have a job to do!
Being
a strong, caring pack leader is always
a good thing and the more you can learn about it, the better you’ll be at rehabilitating
a nervous or anxious animal. Dog separation anxiety isn’t the easiest thing to remedy.
You may even need a little professional help to get you started and it’s rarely
a quick-fix, but it’s always worth
the effort. Ask a nurse – there must be easier ways to make a living - but the
job satisfaction’s an addiction!
I'm Graeme Hall, "The Dogfather", Master Trainer with The Guild Of Dog Trainers. Based
in Northampton, I'm working all over Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes
and beyond every day. I offer dog training classes, puppy classes and
one to one dog training and puppy training. For more info, including prices,
please check out Dog Training - What I Do
If you'd like to hear how I can help with a dog behaviour problem - or how to avoid one - please contact me
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