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. . .DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY (Anxiety
Separation)
Supposedly,
absence makes the heart grow fonder. However, the absence of an
owner sends some dogs into keen wailing and barking, frequent house
soiling and self-destructive behaviors. These are all signs that
a dog is suffering from separation anxiety.
The
canines most likely to fall victim are second-hand dogs. Whether
from a shelter, rescue group or greyhound-track adoption program,
dogs re-homed in adolescence or older are at greater risk of suffering
separation anxiety than puppies. This is probably because it is
more difficult for these dogs to accept changes in their routine
and environment. They cling to their new pack leader and panic when
that leader leaves home to go about his or her daily business. For
similar reasons, unemployed companion animal owners or those who
take lengthy at-home vacations or recuperations may find that their
dog becomes disoriented when they return to work. These distressed
pets need help.
Love
hangover
Separation anxiety is often a problem of over-bonding. It is not
healthy for a dog to follow his caretakers' every step, to be constantly
in the same room, sharing the same piece of furniture, being in
close contact all the time. Promote independence by teaching the
dog to down-stay on his own bed while you go out of sight. Start
with a few seconds, then build up to a length of time the dog can
tolerate. Put up a gate and eventually close a door between the
two of you. And, get family members involved in dispensing the "good
stuff" to the dog. Walks, play sessions and feedings should
not be provided by only one person, for that person's absence means
the end of all that is good in the world to the dog. Panic can ensue.
If you live alone, perhaps a neighbor or relative will share the
duties, or hire a pet-care professional to assist you.
The
worst of a dog's hysteria is often during the first hour after departure.
Diffuse the emotion of your leave-taking by heartily exercising
the dog right after you wake up. Then, after feeding him, scale
back your attention to the point of ignoring him during the last
15 minutes before you leave. Turn off the lights and turn on the
television, radio or white noise machine - whatever you play most
when you are home. And, with no more than a whispered "Be Good,"
leave the house.
Some
dogs will read the signs of imminent departure and begin to work
themselves into a frenzy. If putting on make-up, packing a lunch
or shuffling papers in your briefcase distresses the dog, desensitize
him to these or other actions by doing them frequently and at other
times (such as before mealtime) so they lose their direct connection
to the dreaded departure. Presenting a toy stuffed with goodies
can draw the focus of less seriously afflicted canines toward cleaning
out the item and away from your leaving. Buster cubes, Kong toys,
Goodie balls/ships work well as canine diversions. The seriously
afflicted dog, however, will not give the toy a second look until
his pack is together again.
Separation
anxiety can be severe and all-consuming to some dogs. I have known
dogs to jump through second-story plate-glass windows, eat through
sheetrock walls into neighboring apartments and bloody their paws
and noses trying to dig through wooden doors or out of crates. These
individuals need professional assessment by an Applied Animal Behaviorist
or Veterinary Behaviorist, for they may need pharmacological aid
while they undergo desensitization exercises. Some people choose
to manage the problem by dropping off their dogs at day care or
adopting a second dog, so they are never truly alone.
Luckily,
the majority of dogs - if the earlier suggestions are followed -
in no time will be howling "I Will Survive."
Jacque Lynn
Schultz, Director, ASPCA Special Projects
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