DESTRUCTIVENESS WHEN LEFT ALONE

The owner’s view: The dog learns from the punishment that chewing the carpet is wrong and does it to get back at me when I leave her. When I return she always knows that she has done wrong.

The dog’s view: The dog learns that chewing the carpet when the owner is present is dangerous but safe when the owner is not present. She is slightly anxious about being left on her own and feels better when she chews. When the owner returns, the dog behaves appeasingly in order to turn off the owner’s anger which she has learned often happens at this time. The owner’s arrival home and/or the presence of the chewed carpet have become a predictor. The dog knows she’s about to be punished. She doesn’t know why.

There is no doubt that the dog’s view is the correct one. We have known this for years but amazingly many dog owners still refuse to accept it!

Dogs are social animals and are much happier when in company with other animals and people. However this doesn’t mean that your dog cannot be happy at being left at home alone.

The most common cause of destructiveness and vocalisation when left is separation anxiety. This occurs most in dogs that have attention on demand when the owner is present. They simply cannot cope when they are deprived of that attention. Just as some people chew their nails to relieve stress, a dog will chew anything that is readily available to relieve her anxiety. It can be the door frame or the carpet by the door that you have just left from or perhaps something that you have just left lying around.

If you think that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety then you need to consider the following;-

When you are at home with your dog do not allow her to be with you all the time. Close a door between you occasionally. If this causes her to become anxious then it needs to be done very gradually, just a few seconds to start with but make sure that you only go back to her if she is quiet.

Do not give her attention every time she demands it. If she nudges you for a stroke, walk away and ignore her and give attention only on your terms. However difficult you may find this to do, it will increase your dog’s confidence and make her less dependant on you.

The rituals that we humans engage in before leaving the house, usually done in a rush, such as closing windows, turning off the T.V., moving anything that’s not nailed down out of reach of the dog, shouting at the children to get their shoes on, grabbing coats, keys etc. all serve to heighten the dog’s anxiety by telling her that we are going to leave. These things should be done at least an hour before you intend to leave the house (coats and keys already in the car) and that hour should be spent quietly reading a book and totally ignoring the dog. When it is time to go simply get up and walk out of the door. She probably won’t even wake up.

These rituals should also be carried out individually throughout the day when you are not intending to go out so that the dog starts to disassociate certain signals with feeling of anxiety. Eat dinner with your coat on!

Telling a dog off on your return for the damage caused will be counter- productive. Not only is she anxious about being left, her anxiety will be greatly increased by the anticipation of your return. If punishing her worked, she wouldn’t do it again, would she?

Wagging a finger and warning her to be good whilst you are gone will also increase her anxiety because she is wondering what she has done wrong already!

The destructiveness could also be a result of fear either of something happening inside or outside the house. The destruction is the result of the dog building himself a ‘security blanket’ to retreat into.

Another reason for destruction could be attention seeking. If your dog is manipulative & pushy and chewing anything when you are present gets your attention then he will destroy your possessions to see if that will bring you back (which it does eventually).

Dog’s that have little stimulation in their lives, especially the working breeds may chew simply out of boredom.

It is a good idea to leave something for her that will keep her occupied during your absence such as a Kong toy stuffed with cream cheese and/or liver or a safe chew toy but this must be picked up on your return to maintain it’s novelty value.

All puppies and some adult dogs will be better off left in an indoor kennel, something that will satisfy their natural denning instinct and help them to feel more secure. Fold-flat crates are readily available and whilst not cheap they will last for your dog’s lifetime and in the long run are far less inexpensive than a new carpet or three piece suite!

or feel free to post any questions/comments on our message board

or ring us on 01329 833813