Doggone Etiquette —

Don’t Leave Me!

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:                           

What do you do when your Very Important Person puts on a coat, and then goes around checking all the things that usually only get checked when everyone’s going out? Do you stretch out in your bed and hope you’ll be tossed a treat? Or do you trot over and stand next to your leash, in the hope that wherever He or She is going, you’ll be taken along? Or perhaps you stretch out by the door so they’ll have to “check” you, too? Or maybe you hang your head, go hide under a bed like a poor mistreated dog, and hope someone will feel sorry enough to take you wherever they’re going. You don’t do any of the above?  Okay, that leaves one other thing. You have a panic attack, howl your head off, rip up the cushions, pee on the rug and go completely haywire. That is definitely not good for you or your people, so we’ll try to help all the dogs that panic when left home alone.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

In order to avoid separation anxiety, the first thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that dogs are pack animals. They are not genetically geared to living alone which is just one reason why they make such good companions for us. We become their people-pack. In today’s work-a-day world, however, it’s no wonder that separation anxiety is a common canine behavioral problem. If not dealt with properly and immediately, it can signal the end of what might have been a really good home for the dog.  Once the dog has become a stressed-out wreck, professional help is required, but the good news is that it is one of the easiest problems to prevent.

Prevention starts when you bring the new dog into your home.  If it’s a young puppy, when no one is able to watch him every minute, he’ll be either in a crate or a confined area of the kitchen with toys and water. The kitchen is good because it’s a traffic area where people come and go and that is precisely what you need to teach Rufus: when people leave, they do return. Sometimes you’ll speak to the pup, and sometimes, especially if he’s whining or fussing, you will ignore him. The more traffic in and out, the better so involve the whole family in this saturation process. Gradually extend the periods the dog is alone. 

How you do every little thing before you walk out door, leaving Rufus at home alone, is the most important part of preventing separation anxiety. In no time flat, he will pick up on all the signals. Your clothes (around-the-house jeans or going-out suit or dress), after shave lotion, hair spray, lipstick, picking up the car keys, cell phone, a briefcase or purse, all the household and communication devices you routinely check before you leave – all are noted by Rufus.  Even a mildly apprehensive dog, especially a pup, might feel uneasy at all these indications that he’s about to be left behind all alone and lonely to fend for himself.

Prevention is up to you!  This is a training session so skip the full dress routine.  Just check the dog’s needs in his confined area – a full water bowl, toys, maybe a dog biscuit, turn on the radio preferably to music and keep the volume low.  Now leave without any fond farewell – just GO! Return in a few minutes with no big greeting. “Hi, pooch” is fine. Pretend you forgot something and leave again. Ignore any whining or barking when you leave, or wild excitement at your return. Gradually, over a period of days, vary your clothes, the numerous checks, the comings and goings, increasing the time you’re away until Rufus has learned that even after two or three hours you do indeed come back to him. Every member of the family can help in this training by leaving without a parting act worthy of Shakespeare. A casual “So long!” or “Bye” is all that’s needed.  Long farewells only build anxiety in the dog.

When you do return after having been gone a few hours, ignore any wild, exuberant, jumping up kind of greeting from dear Rufus. Put down your briefcase or the groceries, take off your coat and then give him the loving attention he craves.  A walk would be nice!

                                                            

Until next time – BE GOOD!

-  Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award last year.