How to stop your dog's separation issues

Some dogs can be very sensitive creatures. Living in our world, and under our rules can be quite distressing for them, and we need to help them to understand and cope with our human world. If we don't teach them how we want them to behave in various circumstances, then they will try something out and figure out how to get the reward they're seeking all by themselves. Unfortunately, although these behaviours can sometimes be endearing or amusing, the dog may not behave in an acceptable way, and may well be truly stressed.

Stress, in this case, meaning, the anxiety of not understanding things, or indeed of having to do a stressful job which we don't want or require of them can affect dogs (albeit differently) as much as we humans are affected by stress.

Consider the following -

• does your dog follow your everywhere inside the house
• bark at the door bell or people passing by
• eat the mail - and try to eat the postman
• bite or snap at you, or other members of the family
• bite or snap at other dogs or pets in the house
• growl or snap at visitors
• take you for a walk
• run away from you when outside
• whine or yelp at you for your attention
• bark or whine or chew the house down when you're not home
• chew the furniture
• toilet in the house ...........to name but a few behavioural problems

How does the dog get the wrong idea?

Various circumstances can lead up to your dogs behavioural problems. Perhaps (admit it!!) you've over-indulged your dog - they've demanded your attention and you've responded. Perhaps your puppy was never left alone for a minute when it was young? Perhaps you have a rescue dog who's spent some time isolated in a rescue centre or kennel? Perhaps you've taken on a dog who used to live outdoors? Perhaps your family circumstances have changed - maybe you've just had a period of time at home when you used to be out working all or part of the day.....

Of course, the above list is not exhaustive and also, there may be many other reasons for your dog presenting any of the above behaviours. The best approach therefore is to contact a qualified behaviour therapist near your home who can help you determine the cause and therefore the best solution for your problems. Trying to dive in and resolve the problems on an adhoc basis will be far less effective than following a carefully devised behaviour modification program. Please also beware of suddenly changing the rules for your dog (such as ignoring then when you come home, for instance) - your dog may become quite confused by this sudden change, become even further distressed, and start to perform further unwanted behaviours, or suffer further emotional problems.

What else can be done?

Training your dog in a gentle, rewarding and effective way - such as using clicker training - can help your dog to learn rewarding behaviours, and then choose to perform these behaviours. Training, if performed correctly, will also increase your dogs confidence, and help him to cope with your new rules.

Improving your dogs diet will most certainly help - look for a food which is free from additives and preservatives and is not packed full of sugar or salt.

Giving your dog some space of their own - so that you both get a good nights sleep can also help. This frequently needs to be handled carefully, otherwise, again further distress may occur. Products such as a Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) can help your dog to settle in a new place.

Motivational dog toys can also help your dog to learn that they can actually enjoy themselves on their own -without your constant re-inforcement. The mental stimulation which they provide also really helps to calm them. Toys such as Kongs, Canac Food Balls, or Molecule balls, or even tasty chocolate chews can really help. Kongs can be stuffed with tasty food treats, and the food balls can be used simply to help your dogs meal stretch over a longer period of time or to give them an extra highlight during the day - perhaps giving them a bit of lunch. Kongs come in a range of shapes and sizes, suitable for different types or dogs - if your dog is a strong chewer, then make sure you get a black kong. There are also many dog food balls on offer - but again, do take care that you're getting something strong enough for your dog's chew strength. Canac food balls are made from really tough plastic. Molecule balls are softer, but can offer a more interesting distribution of the food.

How to introduce the toys - your dog may well not know how to play with food toys. So, to start with, make it quite easy to get the food - use smaller pieces in the canac food ball, and don't make the kongs too packed. (If you make it too hard, they may well simply give up). Then show your dog the toy, and help then to roll it about in the floor - they should soon pick up on the idea.

A word of caution - if your dog is possessive or aggressive in any way, then take great care with the idea of introducing these toys. Again, the best approach is to contact a behaviour therapist who can help you use these motivational dog toys more appropriately as part of the behaviour modification program.