Q:
I adopted a 1-1/2 year-old small female pit bull mix from a couple
who were neglecting her. She is very sweet but has a habit of
whining whenever I leave her sight. I thought it might get better
after I'd had her for a while but it's been weeks now and no change.
I take her with me as many places as I can (even to work) to give
her a sense of security but her behavior stays the same. Is there
anything I can do?
A:
Thank you for providing a much needed safe and loving
environment for this dog!
Although your best course of action is to find a professional
trainer to visit your home and evaluate the situation, it does sound
a lot like separation anxiety. There is a step-by-step protocol for
separation anxiety. It entails getting your dog used to your
departures and returns. A professional trainer can show you how this
is done.
Normally it takes a dog thirty or so days to acclimate to a new
environment. Since dogs thrive on routines with positive outcomes
and their being able to predict daily occurrences, you may find the
situation improving as she gets use to your lifestyle and relaxes
more and more. You can help speed this process along by trying to
maintain a daily routine of quality times that include training
(which will help the bonding process, build trust and instill
confidence), exercise and just hanging out together. Massaging your
dog while you both relax will really help.
There are some immediate steps you can
take without the trainer, however. First and
foremost is setting up the environment for safety so your dog can't
destroy any property, escape, and/or somehow injure herself. Also,
make sure your vet has given her a clean bill of health. Here are
ten tools to use in dealing with separation anxiety:
Lower your affect when you leave and come
home. This is probably the most important ingredient. It
means that when you leave, either say nothing or offer a simple,
unemotional "later". When you come home, ignore her for ninety
seconds or so (this might be difficult in the beginning!) and allow
her to let the adrenaline subside a little. Pay attention to her
when she is just a bit more relaxed.
Change your departure routines.
Dogs predict what's about to happen by making associations. So leave
by a different door, put your keys somewhere so they don't make a
sound, go through the door earlier and then return and eat
breakfast, etc.
Practice leaving and returning throughout
the day, especially on weekends when you can practice
more often, so she can never predict when you might be gone for
longer periods. Occasionally get in your car and drive down the
block and walk back to your house. This will help break the
association of your leaving with the sound of the car.
Turn the TV or radio on 30 minutes before
you leave. Classical, New Age and even Country music
work best.
Tire your dog out by providing more
exercise before you go to work.
Give her a treat-filled "Kong"
to keep her busy and take her mind off you leaving. Many
times a dog is most distressed during the first twenty minutes of a
person leaving. Giving her something to do during this time period
often helps. I have a list of recommended toys and tools you
can review at
Paul's-Picks.
Have a dog walker stop by.
There is a dog-appeasing pheromone that
helps relax some dogs. As it is inexpensive and very
easy to use, you can experiment with it. It is called DAP and is
diffused in the air by plugging the diffuser into any electric
outlet. Experiment when you can observe results as it doesn't work
for all dogs and in some rare cases, some dogs have a negative
reaction.
There are also some holistic therapies
such as Bach Flower remedies, herbal aids and aroma therapy which
have proven very effective for many dogs.
For severe cases, there are
pharmacological aids such as Clomicalm. This is
prescribed by your veterinarian and is a temporary aid that is used
until your dog learns to relax as the behavior modification program
takes hold.
My new book,
The Puppy Whisperer has quite a lot of information to
help your dog adapt. Very best wishes and good luck to both
of you!
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