| By the time I get to see a dog whose behaviour is | | | | do exactly that because you make them anxious |
| so nervous their quality of life is compromised the | | | | then leave. |
| dog is reacting to just about anything. It often starts | | | | Triggers |
| with one issue and then spreads over time. There is | | | | If your dog starts to react as soon as you do |
| one common factor, their owners have rewarded | | | | something that makes it guess you are leaving, |
| and encouraged the behaviour however unwittingly | | | | desensitizing with no result is the best treatment. So |
| and the real level is usually lower than it appears. | | | | if, for example, picking up your keys sends the dog |
| The basic rule is to always use voice encouragement | | | | into a frenzy, leave the keys somewhere obvious. |
| but never touch until the moment has passed. Use a | | | | Every time you pass them, pick them up and put |
| confident “I'm not bothered by the problem, I'm | | | | them straight down. Ignore the dog and carry on |
| not scared” voice not a baby voice and | | | | about your business. When you get to the point you |
| confident body language. Try to stand upright, make | | | | can pick them up and get no reaction, praise the dog. |
| big hand gestures, look confidently at the dog. Don't | | | | Use the same trick with lifting your coat or shoes |
| stand there thinking “Oh my God, my poor | | | | until the dog hardly bothers. |
| dog”, it doesn't help, you just communicate your | | | | Start small and stay calm. You are trying to break |
| own panic and add to the problem. | | | | the association of the first behaviour and the |
| Dogs can be great actors. They sometimes learn that | | | | assumption that you are going out. |
| cowering, shaking and skulking away is a great way | | | | Confidence |
| of not doing what you asked. Always follow through | | | | If your dog is a very clingy, insecure dog it will never |
| commands, calmly and gently. | | | | get better if you consistently pander to it. If your |
| Leaving The House | | | | dog jumps at loud noises, don't run to it and start |
| True separation anxiety (SA) is rare. A dog with SA | | | | picking it up, petting it and sounding anxious yourself. |
| is a very timid, insecure dog who cannot cope even | | | | Look at the dog, wave your hand and say “not |
| when you are there. It seems that any dog who | | | | a problem, look, I'm not bothered” and carry on. |
| barks, chews, messes or hurts themselves when left | | | | Don't ignore it, just look and sound like you don't |
| is automatically diagnosed with SA. True SA is a dog | | | | care. If the dog is afraid of an item, go to it, pick it |
| who is clingy, nervous and shows some of the same | | | | up, calm, confident voice, say “look, this is fine, |
| symptoms even when you are with them. Most of | | | | not scared” and walk away. Don't take the item |
| the dogs who have SA are dogs with dominance | | | | to the dog and don't try to force the dog towards it. |
| issues or who are bored, lack enough exercise and | | | | Dogs pick up on your signals and high pitched, baby |
| stimulation or no manners or training. | | | | talk sounds like panic. Constant stroking rewards and |
| If your dog is happy normally, but barks the place | | | | stimulates the adrenalin so you are not making it |
| down or wrecks it when left alone, think about | | | | better. |
| proper training, games, toys and better exercise. If | | | | Treatment |
| your dog lacks respect, jumps all over everybody, | | | | Your own behaviour is the most successful way |
| doesn't obey commands properly and steals your | | | | forward. Calm assertive body language, saving the |
| food, it doesn't have SA, it needs training. | | | | real attention for the calm dog moments. Bach |
| When you leave, leave calmly, put the dog in its | | | | Flower Remedies can help a lot in genuine cases of |
| normal place, say “see you later”, leave it | | | | SA and of fear related behaviour but it must be |
| something to do and just go. Don't stand there | | | | diagnosed properly and the right ones used, do not |
| saying “Please be good, don't chew anything, | | | | use Rescue Remedy as a cure all. Don't let your dog |
| please be quiet” or you can guarantee they will | | | | live like this, get some professional help. |