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Separation Anxiety in Dogs

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When your pooch acts out by wreaking havoc in your home, they are not doing it out of spite or disobedience. Your dog may be responding to pent up anxiety and is trying to cope with their extreme levels of stress, so punishing or scolding them will only exasperate the issue. Read on to find out how you can reduce their separation anxiety when left alone at home.

Comfort Crate
Crate training can be a fantastic way to pacify your pup’s insecurities as they begin to see the crate as their safe place when left alone. Place some soft blankets and toys in the crate that they can chew on and sleep with. Eventually, your pooch’s confidence will improve, and they may eventually venture out of the crate when the door is left open.

Tire them Out
Before you leave, take your pooch for a brisk walk or play a game of fetch with them. This will wear them out and they will be more likely to snooze soundly whilst you are away rather than getting up to nonsense around your home. If you don’t have the time to fit this in, hire a dog walker to do so. Frequent exercise helps your dog to ease anxiety and stress. Under-exercised dogs tend to be bored, destructive or overweight. Like humans, dogs also tire easily when mentally stimulated, so regular training sessions help to ease the pup’s mind as well as reinforce your relationship with each other.

Full Tummies & Empty Bladders
Ensure your fur friend has a tummy full of nutritious food before your departure as well as a visit to the garden to relieve themselves otherwise you may find a not-so-charming surprise on your favourite carpet when you return home.

When the Owner’s away, the Dog Must Play
Entertain your furry loved-one with a variety of toys, puzzles and new-age technology…

  • Kongs: These hollow toys can be filled with your canine companion’s favourite treats or low salt peanut butter. You can freeze the treats to increase the challenge for them to access it.
  • Puzzle toys: Puzzle toys generally contain a special treat that your pooch will take around 30 minutes to decipher. Not only will this keep your dog entertained in your absence, but they will eventually positively associate your departure with a scrumptious treat.
  • Chews that don’t splinter are a great option to keep your pup distracted for extended period of times.

Keep in mind that toys and treats may keep a pooch with mild separation anxiety engaged, but this may prove ineffective for pups suffering from moderate to severe anxiety in your absence.

  • PetCube: This revolutionary two-way pet camera allows you to talk and interact with your pet whilst you’re away. It also includes a laser pointer to keep your pet entertained for extended periods of time.
  • Pet Tutor is a wireless game that trains and rewards your pet for pleasing behaviour via the internet.
  • iFetch allows your pooch to play fetch on their own which will amuse them for hours on end. A bonus is that your happy hound will simultaneously be getting loads of exercise!
  • Dog TV has been scientifically researched to provide content that is proven to provide mental, auditory as well as visual stimulus to under-stimulated doggies.

Curb Access to the Entire Home
Give your pooch a designated area that they can occupy whilst you’re away. Smaller areas reduce the chances of them destroying your entire home.

Routine
Your dog’s separation anxiety may be triggered by your routine behaviour before leaving the home. Perhaps you sling your bag over your shoulder, get your keys and walk out, unknowingly leaving behind an apprehensive fur child. Try change up those predictable habits when leaving the home to appease your dog’s anxiety. Instead of the usual, try placing your belongings in the car first and then come back inside for a short while before actually leaving.

Mix up your pooch’s weekly routine by introducing a dog walker to their schedule, doggie daycare for a day or two and perhaps a puppy play date with a fellow canine companion. Remember that dogs who learn to expect some variation in their schedules, adjust better to deviations in their routine.

Treat on Retreat
Positively reinforce your departure by spoiling your pup with a yummy treat or a Kong filled with deliciousness upon leaving. This will allow your dog to positively associate your departure with something pleasant in return.

A Happy Return
Upon your return, demonstrate to your furry loved one how wholeheartedly happy you are to see them again (regardless of how long you’ve been gone for), by fussing over them enthusiastically and allowing them time to love and cuddle you.

Additional Amusements

  • Splash out on super comfortable blankets and doggie beds or pillows. This will entice your pup to take frequent daytime naps whilst you’re out.
  • Help avert your dog’s attention to outside noises by leaving on the TV, radio or a form of white noise, such as a fan.
  • Close the curtains on the action-packed side of the house so they can focus on the more serene side.
  • Leave an item of clothing with your scent on it where your pooch is likely to rest. Dogs have a keen sense of smell so this reminiscent-scent of you will comfort them whilst you’re away.
  • Perhaps all your pup needs is a furry companion to keep them company. Consider adopting a new furry family member only once you have exhausted all options to resolve the separation anxiety issue and have consulted with your vet or a dog behaviourist.
  • A dog-sitter, whether it be a friendly neighbour or a hired professional who pops in at random times of the day, is a great option to check on your pooch’s daily undertakings.
  • Medication: If your dog seems to be moderately to severely anxious in your absence, consider consulting your vet about potential medications that can calm and settle their nerves.
  • Plug-in pheromone diffusors can also assist in easing a pooch’s tensions.

Written for inFURmation
by Taliah Williamson

Disclaimer: The information produced by Infurmation is provided for general and educational purposes only and does not constitute any legal, medical or other professional advice on any subject matter. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new diet or treatment and with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you suspect that your pet has a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.

How to stop dogs from jumping up?

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How to stop dogs from jumping up?

Jumping up enthusiastically is part of normal canine behaviour. It has its roots in puppy greeting behaviour which involves licking the muzzle of returning adults. For a weaned wolf puppy it is essential and normal to beg for food by jumping up and licking the adult’s mouth to stimulate it to regurgitate food. In adulthood and domestic dogs jumping up becomes a normal greeting and appeasement ritual. Dogs consider it a compliment – we consider it a nuisance, especially in adult dogs.

In all likelihood it is also a behaviour you have reinforced (rewarded) when your dog was still a puppy. Tail wagging, jumping puppies are just irresistible. How great must your dog’s confusion be when he grows up and suddenly you punish him for something that comes naturally to him and he was praised and cuddled for all along. He was never really taught not to jump on you, was he??

So, let’s teach Fluffy to stop jumping.

In a nutshell you have to make jumping up unrewarding and teach him an alternative way to greet you, which is rewarded.

While retraining your dog try to avoid the situations in which he normally jumps up. Use a leash or his collar to stop him from jumping on visitors and yourself. Alternatively ignore the jumping up and turn your back, don’t speak to him (no, not even to shout at him!!), don’t touch him. It is important that all family members stop to acknowledge the dog if he jumps.

Cool your greeting ritual. On returning home, walk past your dog, ignore him for a little while and then call him to greet him calmly. If he is not too hyper kneel down so he does not need to jump up.

Praise and greet only while all four paws are on the ground.

  • Teach an acceptable behaviour that is incompatible with jumping up like a sit or down stay (your choice).Get a nice treat, hold it in your hand but don’t give it to your dog. Don’t give any command; just patiently wait until your dog shows the behaviour you want. Praise and treat immediately.
  • Take a step away from your dog and repeat the process until Fluffy sits / downs reliably and immediately after each step you take. Don’t make your training sessions too long (5-10 min), rather practice a few times a day, as you can. Always stop on a high note and while your dog is still eager to work. Steadily increase the length of the sit before you give the treat.
  • Practice in different locations, especially close to the gate / doorways where your dog normally gets to greet you and your visitors. Slowly raise the stakes but only increase one criteria in each training session. So, if you decide to increase the time Fluffy needs to sit before he gets rewarded, do not change the location where you practice as well.Once your dog reliably sits or downs you can introduce a verbal cue or command.
  • When Fluffy’s sit stay has become fairly reliable it is time to practice with willing friends. Armed with treats ask them to ring the bell or come to the gate and only greet and reward Fluffy if all his paws are on the floor.
  • Teach your dog a “too bad” – a signal that informs him that he just lost a treat / his reward.  Once your dog understands this signal it can help you a lot to stop unwanted behaviours, as dogs learn quickly to abandon behaviour that does not pay.
  • Get your dog to sit. Hold a very tasty treat about 30 cm away from him on nose level. (His nose – not yours.) As soon as he moves towards the treat (and he will) simply say “Too bad!!” (or “No” or “AAH AAH” – or whatever word you want to use as your no reward signal) and snatch the treat away. Get him back into a sit and repeat. If your timing is good Fluffy will soon decide to change his strategy and offer another behaviour. If he stays and simply stares at the treat reward/ reinforce immediately.
  • Repeat the whole process several times to establish your “too bad” signal or practice sit-stays. To raise the stakes change your position, change the type of treat, put the treat on the floor (but make sure you can get to it first in case your dog makes a mistake) etc… Again, don’t make a training session too long and stop while Fluffy is still keen to go on.  Use these two steps consistently.  Praise and reward acceptable behaviour every time and inform your dog about his mistakes with your no reward signal as soon as he jumps up on you. In that case turn away and walk away and leave him for a minute or two.
  • Give your dog an appropriate outlet for all his energy.  Daily walks – off-leash if possible Play sessions with other friendly dogs.  Retrieve games.  Hide and seek.  Recall practice with 2-5 people.
  • Stand opposite each other or in a circle and take turns calling the dog. Reward enthusiastically when he comes to the right person.
    • Chase – Teach your dog that a certain cue e.g. “I am gonna catch you” will start the game of you chasing after him.
    • Tug-of-war – Played with rules tug-of-war is a great energy burner and good exercise for yourself and your dog. Please teach your dog the rules and stick to them.  The dog lets go of the tugging toy or rope immediately when told to.

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  • Give your command to let go and swop the toy with a nice treat.
  • Give your cue to retake the rope and start tugging again.
  • Practice these exchanges before your dog gets really excited with some slow-motion,calm tugging.
  • Once the dog releases the toy on command put the treats out of sight.
  • He only retakes the rope when invited to do so.
  • Get one specific toy for your tug-of-war and stick to that toy.
  • The game starts only with that toy and on your cue e.g. “Take the rope”.
  • Should Fluffy grab the toy uninvited, tell him “too bad” and interrupt the game for a short while before you start again.
  • Do not tolerate accidents
  • During the heat of the game dogs will sometimes make contact with your hand by mistake. Screech “OUCH!!!” and immediately stop the game. Fluffy is very capable of controlling his teeth and you can use this as a reminder to keep them off people at all times.
  • Other than that let Fluffy be as excited as he wants to. Let him tug, shake and growl to his heart’s content.
  • Tug-of-war makes a great reward during obedience exercises as well.

Should you encounter any problems or have any questions please contact:

  • Hermanus Animal Welfare Society : 028 312 1281
  • Janine (Trainer-Touch therapist-Puppy classes) – 082 490 1650
  • Naomi (animal communicator) – 083 226 3526

Source: Hermanus Animal Welfare