It is a sobering fact that every single day in the UK dogs are euthanised because they display behaviour problems that their owners find difficult to cope with. These behaviours are often preventable and can stem from a lack of fulfillment of the dog’s instinctual needs. Take destructive behaviours in the home as an example, dogs are social animals that desire the company of others. When a dog is left at home alone, the lack of social companionship and stimulation can lead to them performing behaviours that inherently make them feel more comfortable (but which we may deem inappropriate) such as chewing furniture or shoes. They may also display signs of distress, such as toileting, barking or howling.
A great way to tackle this type of separation-related behaviour problem is to set the dog up to succeed in your absence. I regularly advise owners to take their dogs for a walk before they leave to go to out, making it more likely that they will sleep when they are left. Often, simply leaving the radio on for the dog can alleviate the stark contrast between you being there and the quietness of an empty house. If your dog is inclined to chew or bark in your absence then why not provide him with several food stuffed chew toys to consume whilst you are out? By being directed to these appropriate chewing outlets just before you leave, he will be able to engage in his natural scavenging instinct, be less inclined to chew on furniture, bark, etc. and your absence will be felt much less than if he were left at home to just twiddle his paws! The king of all food stuffable chew toys has to be the ‘Kong’, and can be found in all good pet shops. Sometimes simple measures such as these are not enough to overcome a dog’s separation related issues. In these situations, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian who can refer you to a suitably qualified behaviourist. Enrolling your dog in a well-run doggy daycare is another helpful idea too. © |