The Considerate Canine: Fearful Escapees
The Problem: My 8 year old Golden Retriever is started to really go nuts when I leave her in the house alone. She often scratched at the door after I left but has taken it up another level lately. The other day she scratched so much that she unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door and escaped (injuring her paws in the process)! She has been especially scared of storms this summer. Thinking there could be a connection... -Seth Siegler
The Solution:
Seth, not having met your dog, I am hesitant to call this separation anxiety. Based on your description of the behavior my advice is to seek professional help, especially since she has injured herself in an attempt to escape during your absence.
In the meantime, management is key. At this point, making sure that she can’t hurt herself in vital. Find a safe pace to leave her while you are away. If she is comfortable in a crate and will not injure herself, that might be an option. Other possibilities; a small room where she can be comfortable, have a dog sitter, take her to a friends house, or day care, if she able to be around other dogs.
There are several products that might be worth trying. A Thundershirt, is a body wrap which helps many dogs with noise phobias and other anxiety related issues. You can find them locally at many pet stores, especially the smaller, locally owned stores. Be sure that you introduce her to the Thundershirt when you are at home and she is calm. We don’t want her to associate the Thundershirt with you leaving. It works well for many dogs with thunder phobias.
Through a Dog’s Ear is a CD which helps some dogs relax. Again, introduce it when you are at home. You can find this on line at the website by the same name.
The booklet, I’ll be Home Soon by Patricia McConnell has wonderful information for owner’s of worried pups.
The real issue is changing the emotions connected with your departure and being alone. This is where a professional will be able to give you guidance and support, helping you create a plan and implement it. The longer the behavior continues, the more difficult it is to change and the greater the risk to your dog.
Good luck to you both!
Cindy Carter, CPDT-KA
Mindful Manners Dog Traininig
843-906-9997
www.mindfulmanners.net
mindfulmanners@me.com
![[IMAGE DESCRIPTION]](http://www.lowcountrydog.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/crop_horiz_180/febmarthumbnailcover_0.jpg?3 "[IMAGE CREDIT]")
Comments
Thanks for the advice!
Update:
I spent the week altering how I leave the house in relation to where Biscuit is and how her energy level is.
She is no longer allowed to be near the door when it's opening. She has to sit on the rug, about 5 feet away and she has to be calm. She picked up the new rules really quickly. If she's too hyper I don't open the door and nicely tell her "no" and she calms mostly calms down.
The difference in her behavior after I leave is huge. I think she was getting confused about why she was allowed to come with me sometimes and not others. When she didn't get go leave with me, she seemed to get angry. By controlling her energy level and expectations each time I leave, I've noticed a big difference in behavior once the door closes behind me. (I peek in through a window to see what she does)