FOUR STEPS TO HELP YOUR DOG COPE WITH SEPARATION
Repeat the steps below and reward your dog for being relaxed with toys, treats or praise.
Once you’re sure your dog is happy, progress to the next step. The speed you progress depends on your dog.
1. Encourage your dog to go to their bed and stay there with you present for a short while. Reward them for remaining quietly in the bed.
2. Ask your dog to stay in their bed as you move away, then return and reward.
3. Move progressively further away for longer. The distance/time that you increase by on each occasion will depend on your dog. If your dog reacts or moves then don’t reward but go back to the previous stage.
4. Start going out through the door before returning, then going out and shutting the door, then going out for longer periods of time, varying the length each time.
Source: RSPCA/Dr Emily Blackwell
She added that anxious dogs will howl constantly, only taking short breaks to listen out in case their owner has returned.
Miss Potter said its almost impossible to tell if your dog is likely to be anxious when you leave the house.
SRB is very much a hidden problem as by its nature it only happens when the owner is absent, she said.
It is recommended that all owners try to video their dog when they are left alone from time to time, just to make sure they are not showing a ‘hidden’ sign of distress, such as trembling, pacing about or whining.
Previous research from the University of Bristol has shown that pedigree dogs suffer with separation anxiety more, and Labradors and retrievers are particularly susceptible.
Dr Blackwell added that young dogs are more likely to struggle without their owners.
As far as dogs with separation problems are concerned that seems to be a peak in prevalence of this disorder at around two years of age, but dogs of any age can suffer, she said.
Miss Potter said there are four simple steps you can follow to help your dog cope with your absence.
Its important not to punish your dog if he has gone to the toilet or being destructive whilst you are out as likely to make him feel more anxious about being left alone and can damage your relationship, she added.
Your dog will be more likely to relax when left alone if they’ve been fed and exercised beforehand.
How Much Socialization Time Do Dogs Need Per Day?
How much time a dog needs to spend with humans or other dogs will vary by the individual pet, and can’t be generalized by breed, age, or overall health, explains Dr. Virga.
“Some dogs will do better with more alone time than others,” he says. That said, for a general guideline, dogs should get a minimum of two hours of dedicated social time with humans or other dogs on a daily basis, which can be broken up into chunks of time over the course of the day.
Yes, dogs do dream. In fact, scientists who performed research on dreaming rats are pretty sure that dogs dream in much the same way that people do. So when your dog flexes his legs in a running motion or barks in his sleep, heâs probably dreaming about an experience heâs had recently. Curious to see if your dog is dreaming? Watch for the twitching legs or his eyes moving behind his eyelids. Thatâs when heâs dreaming.
Do you often come home to find your furbabyâs toys spread around the house until it looks like Romper Room? Just what is he doing with all his toys, you wonder. Well, wonder no more. My dog likes to take all his toys out of his basket without ever playing with them. He hides them around the room so itâs even hard for him to remember where he put them. Occasionally heâll play with them, but for the most part heâs hiding them.
The last thing on our list is actually the one your dog does more than any other, every day. He waits for you. In fact, most of his life is spent waiting. When you come home and he falls all over himself trying to lick you and cavort and wag his tail all at the same time, you know heâs missed you and longed for your return no matter what else heâs been doing today.
Although many professionals say that you should pick up whatever your dog doesnât eat in 20 minutes, some of our loveable furlings are used to âgrazingâ (eating small amounts often during the day). Perhaps your own furbaby eats a bite here and a bite there, or maybe he wolfs it all down at once. Do you enjoy giving your pal treats now and then? You can treat your dog even when youâre away from him by using Furboâs treat tossing function.
Thereâs a picture going around that shows a dog sitting in the remains of a totally destroyed couch with a caption that reads âIâm so glad youâre home! I was sitting on the couch and it suddenly exploded! I could have been killed!â Sorry, pup. That bucket doesnât hold water. But finding out what did happenâor better yet whatâs about to happenâis as simple as keeping your eyes on your little destructo when he doesnât know heâs being watched. Furbo lets you in on their world without their even being aware of it. Itâs the rare dog who will willfully destroy something if he knows youâre watching. When you can see the disaster before it happens, calling the dogâs name and tossing him a treat or two may just distract him from his nefarious plans.
What do dogs do when they’re home alone? *GOPRO SPYCAM FOOTAGE*
Working humans, students, families juggling busy schedules, and those who travel a lot may have to leave our dogs alone more often than we’d like.
Whatever the reason your pet may be alone at the house for long hours or away at a kennel for periods of time, we spoke with Dr. Vint Virga, who is board-certified in veterinary behavior and the author of The Soul of All Living Creatures, to understand how our pets feel when we’re away, how to make the time apart as comfortable as possible, how much quality socialization time dogs crave, and how many hours a day might be too many for pets to be alone.