A dog suffering from separation anxiety can cause many problems for you, your dog, and your neighbors. These dogs love their owners and they hate being away from them. You probably give your dog all the love that you can, but when you are away they become little destroyers who chew your shoes, urinate on your furniture, and bark for hours. Some breeds of dogs are predisposed to this behavior. If you are looking into getting a dog and you know that you are frequently gone, you will want to avoid breeds that have dependency problems. Many dogs that were not weaned properly will also develop a dependency on humans at an early age.

There are various symptoms of separation anxiety and it is important to note that most of these actions occur as soon as you leave your house in the mornings. Symptoms of separation anxiety include:

• Scratching at doors and windows (your doors will look like they tried dig through them)
• Urinating on the carpet and furniture
• Chewing and destroying furniture, clothes, shoes, bedding, etc.
• Excessive barking, whining and howling
• Chewing or excessively licking themselves
• Follows you throughout your house and demands constant attention

If your dog only exhibits these behaviors while you are gone, the dog is most likely suffering from separation anxiety. Most dogs will act fine when you are with them. They will generally only be destructive for the first thirty minutes you are gone, but may continue to howl, bark, and whine all day long. These dogs will not benefit from punishment, as they are suffering from an anxiety disorder and not intentional bad behavior. They will not be able to associate punishment with their acts, as it may have been hours since they were being destructive.

Your veterinarian may be able to direct you in how to deal with dog separation anxiety. Many dogs with severe cases may require anxiety medication. They will also require behavior modification training. The combination of medication and training is the best. Behavior modification training will teach you how to react to your dog and his problems, as well.

In changing your dog’s behavior, you will first want to avoid making a big deal about leaving and coming home. Many dogs are able to recognize when their owners are leaving and their anxiety will begin to build. Avoid saying anything to your dog as you leave and come back home. Try to ignore them for as long as possible when you come home. This will help make your arrival and departures low-key events with minimal excitement. Try to find what triggers your dog’s behavior. Notice your dog’s reactions to you picking up your keys, purse, and briefcase. After determining what sets your dog off, repeat those actions without leaving your house, as this will help to desensitize your dog.

Be sure that your dog is receiving plenty of exercise to reduce his amount of energy. Start by gradually leaving your dog for short periods of time and then extend those time limits gradually. You may also want to give your dog toys that hold treats so that he will be busy for hours. You can give these to him as you walk out the door in the mornings. Crating your dog does not generally help, as they spend their time trying to escape and destroying their crates. You may also choose to leave a radio or television on, as the noise helps to calm these dogs. The process is a long adjustment period but, with work, your dog will become less dependent on you and less stressed.

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Tags: dog training, whining

When we communicate with the world we open our mouths and speak, either verbally or through body language. Our canine friends do exactly the same thing but they bark instead of speak. Dogs bark for a variety of reasons. If you want to solve or stop a barking problem you need to understand why he or she has developed this behavioural problem.

Here are 2 reasons why your dog may be barking;

“WOOF” Mummy or Daddy I’m bored

“How can my dog be bored, he’s got toys, a huge backyard. He can’t be bored” As we know there are hundreds of different breeds of dogs all around the world and each one bred to fulfill a specific role in our society.

Some of these roles include guarding, hunting, working dogs or purely as faithful companions for humans. Many of us today lead very busy lives so our dogs very rarely have the opportunity to display there talents. Dogs that were bred to work on the land are happiest when they have a job to do. The breeds that this especially applies to are Border Collies, Kelpies and Cattle dogs who have bundles of energy and are highly intelligent.

When a dog is left alone in a backyard for extended periods of time and not fulfilling their roles for what they were bred to do, boredom, frustration and their natural instinct to reunite with their “pack” (human owners) becomes so overwhelming.

Being alone all day in a concrete court yard or a garden cannot satisfy a dogs energy levels so we need to devote as much time as possible within reason to let them know that they are part of the pack and a valued member.

Another good reason to avoid a bored dog is that this behavior can also lead to he / she becoming destructive, chewing and digging craters in your lovely garden.

“WOOF” I’m trying to tell you I’m having anxiety issues.

“When I get home my dog follows me everywhere barking and whining. I can’t even go to the toilet” Dogs are pack animals that enjoy socialising, hunting and feel a greater level of safety when with their pack. When we humans take on a dog as a pet we become part of their pack, so when we are with them they feel more secure and will bark to communicate with the missing members of their group.

Dogs can become very attached to their human counterparts especially when they spend the majority of their day in close contact. When left alone for long periods they fret and often bark calling for the missing member of the group. This is known as separation anxiety. This type of stress on your dog may lead to inappropriate toilet behaviours (eg. pooing and peeing in your home) and total destruction of your lovely garden bed.

Anxiety can be a very serious condition in dogs which can led to them becoming fearful of objects or people. Barking at the local postman (threatening in the dogs mind) barking has been triggered from fear or anxiety. It is extremely important to work the problem out as early as possible so that it doesn’t become progressively worse.

My advice in this article is general and since animals, like humans are each different and unique individuals you may want to contact your local vet for professional advice or a animal behaviourist, so your best friend and you get the help you need.

All the best from the team at phoopups.com.au” target=”_new phoopups. Keep those tails wagging.

For high quality dog accessories and information visit the home of phoopups were dogs are a way of life phoopups.com.au/home.php phoopups.com.au/home.php

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Tags: whining

A Jack Russell Terrier owner e-mailed me with the following question:

“My boyfriend has allowed his wonderful, very well-behaved Jack Russell, who is two years old, to sleep not just on but in his bed. We are trying to teach her to sleep in her bed which is on the floor by our bed but it’s proving very difficult! She’s managed to sleep there until about 4 AM, but then the whining starts and she ends up with us.

It’s not really a problem so much when we are at our house but we are planning to go on holiday and she will be staying with my parents and they really won’t tolerate her sleeping in bed with them, nor the whining when she isn’t allowed to, so we thought it best to nip the habit in the bud completely. We can get her to stay in her bed but we can’t get her to actually sleep … she just whines … even if we take her for a hundred walks to tire her out. It’s as if she HAS to be that close to us!”

Thanks,

Tiffany

Dear Tiffany:

Put the dog in a crate. Not only will she be UNABLE to get onto your bed, but when she goes to your parent’s house, you will be able to take the crate with her so she will have a familiar place to sleep at the different residence. By crating her at night, you’re providing her with her own “den” since dogs derive more satisfaction from small places than we do. She will more than likely put up a fuss in being confined beyond her control, but it should go away after a few nights as she becomes more comfortable with the crate. Do not give her any attention while she is whining, as this will only reinforce the behavior. Some people go so far as to buy earplugs for those first nights.

Introduce the crate in a positive manner, with lots of treats and praise. Put her bed in it so it has her scent in it. Feed her in her crate so she gets the idea that no one will disturb her and the crate is a safe place. When you have to shut her in, give her a special “crate toy.” Many people have had success with Kong toys stuffed with peanut butter or cheese/liver paste and freezing these.

The crate is also useful for confining the dog when it can’t be supervised to keep it out of trouble (see the first article above). My book, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” which is available exclusively at Dogproblems.com, goes into more depth on the use of crates and other training devices.

Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider’s Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History.” Get a free copy of his report “Games To Play With Your Dog” when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: dogproblems.com dogproblems.com

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Tags: dog training, whining

Separation anxiety is a difficulty that many dogs experience when left alone at home or in a less familiar place. It is natural response for a puppy to be strongly bonded to its mother and litter mates, and when he leaves the litter, this bond will naturally transfer to the owner. This is generally a healthy relationship and generates a bond between a pet and owner. It is only a problem when the dog becomes too dependant on its owner and behavioural problems are created.

Separation anxiety is often characterised by urinating and defecating in the house by a usually house-trained dog, destruction of furniture and other items including beds, floors, furniture and doors, barking, whining, howling and hyperactivity. The dog may also appear depressed, although it is essential to remember that all of these traits can have other causes, both medical and psychological, so a check-up at the vets is always the first course of action. Separation anxiety is probably the culprit if the behaviour occurs soon after the departure of the owner and if the dog gives a hyperactive, prolonged greeting when the owner returns.

Certain breeds of dog are more dependent and therefore more prone to separation anxiety, but so too are dogs who have had traumatic events in their past that have encouraged an increased attachment once they finally find a loving owner. Puppies that were taken from their mother too early and puppies or dogs that have spent time in pet shops or animal shelters are also more susceptible to suffering when left alone by their owner. Changes in routine and lifestyle such as suddenly working full-time and being out all day or unusual absence of a family member due to death, illness or divorce can upset dogs that usually show no signs of separation anxiety.

A dog suffering from separation anxiety will exhibit his own unique behavioural problems – some will develop one problem while others will exhibit several, sometimes beginning the anxiety cycle while the owner is still in the house in anticipation of him leaving. A dog that follows its owner from room to room, whines and whimpers, shakes and generally seems distressed as the owner prepares to leave the house is very often starting its episode of anxiety. This is where an owner can begin to re-train their dog to react differently to their departure.

A method known as “planned departure” has proved to be very effective and is far more productive than simply correcting the behaviour, as it deals with the cause of the problem. The idea is to mould the dog’s reaction by making a series of short departures. As the anxious response always occurs very shortly after the owner leaves the premises, the dog is left for only a few minutes (or even seconds to start with) to ensure that he returns before the dog becomes frenzied. The owner should leave the house quietly and calmly without speaking to the dog or giving him attention and should not allow the dog to exhibit a prolonged greeting on his return – simply ignoring the behaviour and turning away will gradually discourage this. The planned departures should be very slowly increased in length, never staying away long enough for the dog to become agitated or frenzied. It take time to break old habits and patience will be necessary, but this process will eventually work. Once the dog is untroubled during a thirty minute departure, the length of time can be increased by larger increments.

If this method is taking a long time and is showing little sign of being effective, the owner can increase the effectiveness by systematically ignoring the dog around the house for a period of up to three weeks. The dog will not suffer from this, nor will the bond between dog and owner be lessened, but the dog will certainly be confused at first, especially if he’s used to a lot of attention. It can help a dependent, anxious dog find a calmer, more independent existence which will facilitate periods of being alone in the home.

Justine Kay is an experienced dog owner and trainer. She is the webmistress at dogs-trainingtips.com/ Dog Training Tips where she writes dog training articles and discusses the intricacies of dog psychology.

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Tags: dog training, whining

1) Why should I crate train my dog?
Crate Training is the fastest and most humane method of housebreaking dogs. Have you ever seen a dog under a table, chair or bed? The reason is that dogs naturally want to seek shelter, even in a house. If you don’t provide it, they will create it themselves in an effort to feel safe and secure. A crate serves as a den for your dog.

2) How does crate training work?
Like babies, puppies cannot control their bladders until they mature (usually between 3 and 6 months). Dogs have a natural instinct to avoid eliminating in their dens. Therefore, confining your puppy in his crate for the proper amount of time encourages him to “hold it” until you take him outside for a walk. Pet Dreams offers Free Crate Training Tips with more step-by-step details.

3) What about housebreaking older dogs?
It is never too late to crate train your dog! The number one reason dogs end up in shelters is behavior problems. Crate training, at any age, can help break bad habits and solve most of these problems.

4) How long do I need to use the crate?
Crates are not just for training- they are good for the lifetime of your dog. By providing a crate for your dog, you are in essence providing him with his own bedroom. Crates are especially important for older dogs that use it to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday family life, which often includes small children or other pets that may harass them.

5) How safe is crate training?
Dog crates are the best housetraining tool available. They provide a room for your dog while protecting your home furnishings from damage. However, even a crate isn’t an absolute safe harbor for your pet. As per crate manufacturers warnings, you should always remove standard collars before placing your dog in a crate. Otherwise, your dog is at risk for possible strangulation if his collar or ID tags become caught in the crate’s bars. Pet Dreams’ Cratewear bumpers are the only bumpers made high enough to help prevent collar strangulation and other crate-related injuries.

6) I was told that dogs like their crates, so why do I have to force mine inside?
There are many reasons to not enjoy a bare metal dog cage.

Comfort: When dogs lie down in their crates, they are leaning up against wire bars, which can be very irritating. Crate bumpers and pads, like Cratewear, provide the comfort your dog will appreciate.
Security: Wire crates leave your dog exposed on all sides. Crate covers provide den-like security.
Location: Separating your dog from the rest of the family can add stress. Dogs are social animals, so the ideal location is a room full of activity. Your dog will enjoy his new room while still being part of the family. At night the bedroom is an ideal place for a crate so your dog will feel the security of being close to you.
Time: Confining him in his crate for excessive periods of time will be a negative experience for your dog. After housebreaking your dog, we recommend removing the door from the crate so he can enjoy his den any time he chooses.

7) What can I do to make my dog’s crate more appealing?
Use Cratewear to make his crate safe & comfortable
Put appropriate toys and treats inside the crate, which will entice him to go in on his own.
Feeding your dog in his crate can develop a positive association with it.
Give your puppy lots of praise when he enters the crate.
How do I stop my dog from whining or barking the crate?
Again, make sure the crate is in a good location. Veterinarians and trainers recommend covering the crate to give your dog the privacy he needs to feel secure. If your dog can see you, he’ll want to be with you outside the crate. Crate covers lower the number of distractions your dog sees, which reduces barking and stress. Note: Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety should not be crated. If you feel your dog is suffering from separation anxiety and is showing clinical signs, please avoid crating him until speaking to a professional.

9) What’s in it for me?
Dog crates give your dog a place he can claim as his territory. Providing your dog with a comfortable room of his own will help keep him off your furniture. In addition to the safety and comfort benefits for your dog, Cratewear will enhance your wire crate to fit your decor, making the crate an attractive addition to any room. All of this results in a more positive training experience for you and your pooch!

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Tags: whining