By Karen Mathee
Kitsap Humane Society
As summer gives way to fall, it’s important to know that the human members of your family are not the only ones who undergo seasonal adjustments.
Vacations come to an end and children return to school. Come September, the early morning whirlwind of activity will, in many homes, be followed by keys jangling, doors slamming, cars leaving … and quiet.
Your dog may be alone for the first time in weeks, certainly for longer than he or she has grown used to.
This is not an attempt to illicit guilt, which I as a pet owner have often felt when gazing down into a pair of sad brown eyes on my way out the door. It’s merely a heads up that fall can be a stressful time for dogs, who are as capable of developing separation anxiety as people. Symptoms can be mild to severe and include whining and barking; chewing clothing and furniture; scratching around windows and doors; and defecating in the house.
“Aside from missing the company of their owner, dogs are often upset by the disruption of their day-to-day schedule when the household routine changes,” said Deana Case, Kitsap Humane Society’s canine behavior and training coordinator. “Being suddenly alone can sometimes make a dog feel afraid or anxious without their human there to guide them.”
In these final dog days of summer, there are things you can do to prepare your canine for increased alone time. Start getting up earlier, suggested Case. Also, leave your dog for progressively longer periods of time while monitoring behavior. Close doors to rooms that are off limits and get your dog used to the area where he’ll be kept during the day. Introduce food-dispensing toys and chews, and consider crate training as a possibility. And soft music or the television on low also can be calming, Case said.
But don’t resort to the crate to resolve the symptoms of separation anxiety, she cautioned. “They’ll grow to hate it if they’re not used to it; it will be just another symbol of your departure.” For information on how to crate train properly, email Case at behavior@kitsap-humane.org.
Defusing departure behaviors can also help. You might, for instance, grab your keys and, instead of leaving the house, go toss the ball to the dog in the backyard, Case said. “If you remove the trigger, that can help reduce the level of anxiety.”
Case emphasized that it’s important to manage and treat destructive behaviors, rather than punishing pets for them. “If you punish them, they’ll start to fear your arrival back home, as well as be anxious about your leaving.”
Getting another dog to keep your current canine company may seem like a good idea, but it’s not always the answer. Resolve the separation anxiety in your existing pet first, or your new addition may pick up the bad behavior.
If there’s room in your budget, a daytime dog walker or a doggie daycare are good solutions, but make sure to check references in both instances, Case advised. And if you’re looking into a daycare, she recommended that it employs at least one caretaker for every five dogs, and offers frequent breaks in group play to avoid fights. A more affordable option is to team up with a friend or neighbor who has a friendly dog and is willing to take yours on as a playmate a couple of days of week.
For more information on separation anxiety in pets, Case recommended a short book called “I’ll Be Home Soon,” by Patricia McConnell.
And if you’ve tried the recommended protocols and the destructive behavior continues, consult your veterinarian, particularly if your pet is endangering itself or causing costly damage. Case noted that there are medications that can help, but they work best when paired with behavior management and training. She suggested choosing a trainer who does home visits and has collaborated with veterinarians on canine behavior issues.
