Marti Miller

Animal Well-Being
Separation Anxiety: Chewing

Dear Marti: When I return from work, I discover that my dog has chewed holes in blankets, the carpet, or just about anything he can get his mouth on. He also acts very nervous when I get ready to leave for work in the morning. When I arrive home, he jumps on me and almost knocks me down because he is so happy to see me. His anxieties are overwhelming me. Do you have any ideas about what I can do with him? RS, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

It appears that your dog is showing signs of separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is a disorder that can be quite severe for some dogs; even some cats suffer from separation anxiety. Kitties aren’t as destructive as dogs, but it is still unpleasant for the kitty and human. I will address mainly dogs here, but you can use similar techniques with cats.

The most common sign of separation anxiety is the velcro dog, in which your dog follows you from room to room. This is very flattering for you, but if it goes unchecked it can produce increasing nervousness in your dog. Then, the dog becomes anxious when you get ready to depart, and destructive behavior is a further manifestation of unchecked separation anxiety.

The first step is to begin to desensitize your dog to your comings and goings. Get your dog used to your coming and going without creating a big deal. Start by breaking your dog’s habit of following you from room to room. One of my favorite ways to do this is to use a crate. You can also block off a room for your dog, such as a laundry room or something similar. From my experience the crate or small space creates a safe place in which your dog can stay.

When beginning the process, I recommend that you leave the door to the crate open. Give your dog the command, stay. If your dog stays while you step back, reward the behavior. Do this several times until your dog looks comfortable staying in the crate. Next, when you step back away from the crate, hide around the corner so that your dog cannot see you. At first, you may only be around the corner for five seconds, but the time will increase as your dog becomes more secure. Then close and open the door to the crate several times. Reward your dog each time you close the door.

I have seen dogs that are very nervous about being in a crate. Others do not like a small room by themselves and will destroy the room. The key is to make the small space a pleasant experience. If you are using a crate, place a special blanket or pad in the crate. You can also include something with your scent on it to assist your dog to feel your presence. Be sure to use lots of treats and praise to give you dog a positive experience.

The next step is to start to feed meals in the crate or room. I have had animal clients that would not eat their food because their human is not in the same room. If your dog is one of these, you can interrupt their pattern by feeding in the crate. Every once in a while, we all need to have our patterns interrupted to allow room for change. Feeding your dog in the crate will reinforce his idea that the crate is a safe place where he is nurtured.

If your dog is demonstrating a lot of anxiety when going into a crate or separate room, administer about three drops of the Bach flower essence Rescue Remedy. You can give this directly in his mouth, or drop it on top of his head. I also suggest that you fill a small spray bottle, about eight ounces, with three droppers of Rescue Remedy and water. Spray the room or crate with the mixture. This will assist your dog to relax and make the experience more pleasant for him.

In my opinion, one of the main reasons that dogs develop separation anxiety is that they don’t have a job. When we bring a dog into our homes, they become part of the pack. In the pack, each dog has a job. Most dogs with separation anxiety don’t know what their particular job is. I also believe that dogs in a pack rely on each other for protection. When the human leaves, they think that their protection is gone and become anxious.

You can give your dog a very simple job, such as a toy to work on during the day while you are away. This could be a rubber kong stuffed with peanut butter and treats. There are other toys, such as a cube or a ball that you can put dog kibbles in; then your dog has to work for breakfast. Most dogs seem to like the ball better than the cube. Check them out to see which your dog likes. The idea is to make them work to get their breakfast. Remember, in the wild dogs hunt for their food. They don’t find much challenge in simply going to the bowl and eating what is there. Usually working for their food will tire them out, and they will eventually go to sleep while you are at work.

Try giving your dog his toys a few minutes before you depart. Most anxiety takes place within the first 20 minutes after you leave. Experiment with a variety of toys. Let your dog play with the toy at other times so your dog doesn’t associate the toy with your leaving. Don’t leave the toy out all the time. Switch toys frequently to avoid boredom.

Working to build your dog’s confidence is crucial with separation anxiety. Seek out the assistance of a good trainer. An animal communicator can help you to learn about your animal’s preferences and desires. You may find that your dog would like to learn an obstacle or fly ball course. In my practice, I find that flower essences are crucial in making a smooth transition and developing new habits for both human and animal.

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