If your dog shows anxiety when you leave him for prolonged periods, you need to find out what he does when you're gone. These can be clues to help identify the cause behind the behaviour and will help you find the best 'cure'.

facts

• Isolation is an unnatural state for dogs
• If left alone, they will attempt to reunite themselves with their pack
• Some dogs have not learnt to be left alone and it is frightening to them
• Newly rescued dogs are particularly prone to feel isolation if left alone

Symptoms of isolation in dogs

• Whining and barking
• Sniffing under the door; push, scratch, or chew at the bottom of the door
• Running around the house or room looking for a way out
• Jumping up on window sills
• Defecating and/ or urinating around the house

How to deal with your dogs isolation:

• Exercise the dog vigorously before leaving them on their own
• Keep the time you spend getting ready to leave the house at a minimum
• Ignore your dog for ½ hour before leaving
• Leave your dog in a familiar pace where any potential damage will be at a minimum
• Leave your dog with a neighbour or friend

Other Fears in dogs

Problem: Dogs will often develop separation problems if they are afraid of something either inside or outside the house.

Symptoms of other fears in dogs

• Some dogs will selectively chew things that smell of their owner and then curling up in the middle of the debris as it gives them the feeling of security of being surrounded by their owners scent
• Some dogs will urinate in strategic points around the house as it makes them feel secure in their territory.
• They may also try to dig a 'den' in a sofa, cabinet, bed, or the carpet

Dealing with your dogs fears

• Until you find a long-term solution, wear an old t-shirt before leaving and put it in a place where your dog will sleep.
• Create a den in the dog's favourite sleeping place using a covered table or cardboard box.
• The long-term solution is to find what your dog is afraid of and treating that fear. This could be done by gradual exposing them to the object in question

Are you Too attached to your dog?

Problem: If the relationship between you and your dog is intense, another person may be no substitute for the owner.

Dealing with over-attachment to your dog:

• Give your dog small 'doses' of attention rather than a continous trickle, for example, 5 minutes in every half an hour. During the 25 mnutes that he is not getting attention it is important to completely ignore him. Gradually increase this time until he can cope with getting no attention for an hour
• In extreme cases, where the dog is always in physical contact with you, he needs to accept being out of contact for short periods of time. To do this, fasten him to a fixed object just out of you range, and gradually increase the distance gradually over many sessions

Boredom and bad habits in dogs

Problem: Leaving an active dog alone all day can lead to a variety of problem behaviours

Symptoms of boredom in dogs

• The dog may chew items he shouldn't have because he has nothing else to do
• He may amuse himself by barking at every disturbance outside
• Boredom is more likely to occur in young dogs and in those with active minds, usually the working and herding breeds

How to reduce your dog's boredom

• Give your dog plenty of physical and mental exercise when you're at home, espeically just before you leave the house.
• If left alone for long periods, arrange for someone to visit the dog halfway through the day to provide stimulation and an if possible, an opportunity to exercise
• Leave novelty chew and bones. Provide 'new' ones every day of the week so all chewing is focused on the 'novelty' items.

How to deal with:

The shoe eater

It is completely normal for young dogs to explore and exercise their jaws and it is important that they have this desire until they reach maturity.

Therefore, provide alternative things to chew such as large rubber toys. Make toys more interesting by stuffing them with food. Also keep him away from shoes whilst you are in the house.