Endangered Dogs Defence and Rescue

Information, Education & Advice - helping dogs in need

Practical Advice

For Separation Problems:

The dog will often build a very strong bond with new owners.

Problem behaviours begin as soon as the owners leave. The first fifteen to twenty minutes are the worst, during which time the dog becomes very upset. All physiological signs o fear may be present – an increase in heart and breathing rate, panting, salivating, increased activity and sometimes a need to go to the toilet. The dog may try to follow the owners, scratching at doors, chewing door frames, digging at carpets or jumping up at window frames to look for a way out. Alternatively it may bark or howl to try to get the owner to come back.

After this frantic period it may settle down to chew something which the owners have recently touched and still carries their scent. Dogs will often chew scented items into pieces and curl up in the debris so that it forms a barrier of their owners scent around them for protection.

Adopted dogs seem to be particularly prone to separation problems, particularly during the first few weeks in their new home and especially if they are shy, sensitive and submissive. Such dogs are usually described as having a wonderful temperament and as being very loving and affectionate. They tend to be the ones which bond with the new owners very quickly and very strongly.

Exercise your dog, with a walk and playing games, well in advance of leaving him so he has a chance to settle down.

Ignore the dog for half an hour before going out. Do not say goodbye, just walk out and leave him. The contrast between you being there and not being there is then much reduced.

Feed your dog a small meal a short time before going out so he is more likely to be sleepy.

Leaving an old jumper in the bottom of the laundry basket and putting it in your dog’s bed will help make your dog feel more secure and settled.

Some dogs are comforted by the familiar sound of a radio playing.

Build up the time you leave your dog in stages from five minutes to thirty minutes. If you leave your dog and return to find he has destroyed something do not get angry or punish your dog. Leave him for a shorter period next time and build the time more slowly.

Prevent your dog following you from room to room. If you have taken on an adult dog start this as soon as you get home. Shut doors as you go from room to room so your dog is isolated for a few minutes until you return. Coolly acknowledge his presence when you go back in but do not make a big fuss about it.

If you dog shows signs of stress when you prepare to leave the house, have many mock departures throughout the day, but do not leave. Pick up your keys, put coat on etc.

With a newly acquired dog arrange for him to sleep in the kitchen at night rather than in the bedroom, so that he is not with you constantly for such a long period.

Activity toys such as Kongs and biscuit balls which can be filled with part of your dogs daily food ration uses the dogs instinctive behaviour to have to work for his food. A lot of people think this is hard on your dog; but you will soon see, by your dog’s reaction, that dogs thoroughly enjoy working for their food. However, please do not leave him totally unsupervised with toys.

Throughout this help sheet, your dog is referred to in the masculine tense. This is for ease of readership only and all advice is applicable to both sexes.