How to Play Fair in a Multi-Dog Household: reprinted from 2014

 How to Play Fair in a Multi-Dog Household.

You don't.

ok, allow me to expand on that. Having multiple dogs in one house is usually a great idea. So long as you are prepared for it, and are providing structure and good leadership. Dogs are pack animals. And in a pack, there are leaders, and there are followers. And those furry guys sleeping under your chair? They are not wolves.

Contrary to the traditional mindset, wolf packs are nothing like our dogs. The only true similarities are that they are of the canine variety, and they live in packs when left alone. Your dogs, need you to tell them when they are doing right, and when they are doing wrong. They need you for food. They need you for affection, they need you for everything.

A dog needs a provider. And he needs a boss. The degree of control, and the severity of your delivery, depends greatly on your individual dogs' personality. His personality dictates how well he will respond to your style of leadership. You, being the reasoning species who is the Leader of this pack, must determine who needs what, and when.

Your "alpha" dog may be pushing your other dogs around a bit during playtime, but what you may actually be witnessing is a slightly more subordinate animal attempting to dominate your other dogs due to insecurity about her position in the pack. Meaning, she may not actually BE an alpha at all. A true alpha does not need to enforce it all the time. The other dogs just 'know.'

If you aren't filling that position, one of the dogs will attempt to do it for you. I mean, someone's gotta be steering the ship, right?

"ok, so I'm the Leader. And I've just added another dog to my household, and I think the new dog wants to be alpha over the older dog; how do I make them get along?"

They might never like each other. Wrap your head around that, and then begin managing the situation. You, being the actual Leader, holds all the cards. Start by managing the dogs. Call a professional, and have them observe the interactions between you; all of you.

Make sure you are providing the proper levels of exercise for all the dogs in your household.

A dog who has an excess of energy, will put it somewhere; usually where you don't want it. As you begin to build better, more predictable structure for your dogs, they begin to fall into an order that may even branch into liking each other.

Be as consistent as possible with the rules and regulations of your home. Teaching the dogs good manners, first individually, and then with each other, is paramount to your success as a leader. Good management helps as well. If your dogs can't seem to get along when left alone in the back yard, do not leave them alone in the back yard. Rather, go out with them, and put your troublemaker to work!

A dog who is too busy working with you, and focusing on a task, is going to be too busy to pester the other dog. If you must, leash that guy and ask him to do things on the other side of the yard.

When you are indoors, if need be, use crates, pens, gates, or a leash to separate the troublemaker from the other animals. If there is fighting, whether over resources, or just picking on each other, please work with a qualified professional to help your pack learn to function together.

If you are not dealing with aggressive reactions, and just want to be more "fair," don't. If you are doling out attention to one dog, and the others just rush over to shove her out of the way, and you respond by petting the pushers, you are giving them the false impression that They run the show. You are setting yourself up for tension. The dog who got shoved, now feels "lower" and less important than the ones who got to DEMAND your attentions.

You are the Leader. You get to decide who gets attention, and when. If you are petting one, and another rushes over to shove her, use a Body Block (placing yourself like a goalie between the petted dog and the other dogs) to enforce that they must not shove her away. Give her the attention, and then, when you decide to call the other dog(s) over, that is when the "shover" can get some love.

You wouldn't allow children to punch, shove and kick each other to get to you for attention, don't put up with rudeness like that from your dogs. There is a reason we teach young children "Wait your turn," the same goes for your furry kids.

"When I give out treats, I have one dog who just runs in there and tries to take the treat. No matter which dog I am handing it to."

That is potentially a nightmare waiting to happen. Again, proper training/handling can help alleviate some of this stress. Asking the over-enthusiastic animal to sit and wait his turn, is a good move. That way, the dog you are handing a treat to won't feel the need to either snap and defend his treat, or bite it so fast that he grabs your fingers.

If you have one dog who seems to pester and pick on the other dog, more training is called for! If your dogs know things like "Away" or "Leave it" or even a simple "Come," you can diffuse a situation before it happens.

I have seen situations where the owners got a new dog, and tried to enforce that the new dog needed to be subordinate to the older dog. But the older dog was more than happy to BE sub to the new guy, so the Humans were only creating a bigger issue. The fights were getting worse. As soon as the Humans began to just let the old guy do what he was comfortable doing, i.e. allowing the young dog to do almost everything first, the fights subsided.

To some degree, dogs do have a good idea of how they'd like the structure to run. But they aren't really all that good at just "workin' it out." In the case of the older/younger dog, the Humans had to learn when to call the younger dog off, or away, so that the older dog could more effectively (and safely) show young dog that he wasn't being a challenge.

This won't always work in every situation. You may have a severe case where one dog is being so intimidating to the other, that you have one dog who just leaves the room every time the "bossy" one shows up. In this instance, call that professional.

Some dogs are just not cut out for living with other dogs. Period.

Just as some people can't stand other humans, some dogs just prefer to be left alone. Now, this does not mean you should just tolerate aggression. What it means, is that you may be faced with a dog who will either require a lifetime of management, to keep everyone safe, or you may consider placing that animal in a new home where he/she will be the only dog. Most issues of this nature can be worked with, but if your professional suggests a re-home, it may be because the dog would have a better, less stressful quality of life, should she be Queen of everything.

I have met many a happy, well-mannered, good canine companion who just wasn't all that comfortable with other dogs. This meant that dog could handle going for great, long excursions, and can pass a dog on the street without "blowing up" or getting tense, but wasn't all that great close up to other dogs. The Human had worked with the dog to get all those manners, and was rewarded with a wonderful, sweet companion.

The Human had also accepted that the road to having a dog she could trust to play with others, was a long one, and had chosen to allow this one thing to stay as is. This doesn't mean that particular dog couldn't be "fixed," it just means that the Human has decided not to deal with that stress, nor put it off on her dog, because the dog was Safe Enough.

Exercise, consistency, boundaries. These are the things that set up a multiple dog household for success. Dogs do have a sense of 'fairness,' but how you enforce it, is up to You. The Leader and controller of all resources. Use them.

Finally, ensure that each of your dogs gets the one-on-one time they crave. Just like Human kids, our dogs love it when we make special time for them. Each dog has a different "favorite" thing, and making time to do that without his annoying brothers or sisters, can help him stay balanced.

If you take breed tendencies into thought, you may take your scent-hound (Beagles, Bassetts, Bloodhounds, etc) on a new walking path, or to a Nose Work class. Your Pointer may loooove a long romp in a field, while your Cocker may just want to sit and watch people go by at a ball game or something. Doing special activities is not only good for their bond with you, it also teaches your dogs how to be without each other, which is healthy too.

I enjoy group activities with my household, but sometimes, I just want a walk in the woods. Alone. With my dog. One of them.

**Author's Note:  We used to have 5 dogs...now we have one.  Such is life and the passing of time.  These articles are being re-published for educational purposes.

Pack Status Confusion

What the heck is Pack Status Confusion??   Well, I am so glad you asked!  A dog who is suffering from Pack Status Confusion can be a real pain in the neck.  This dog is constantly feeling anxious, because he is always in limbo.  He doesn't understand his role in the family unit (i.e. your household and the Humans who live in it).  This is usually because he keeps getting mixed signals from you, or someone else in the house.

They have a routine, but it's too loose for their personality.  They get to choose where they sleep.  They get to choose whether or not to eat what's provided.  They choose when to get or give any affection.  They "ask" or "beg" for the things they want, but will not allow you to touch them when you want to.  They seem to be elevating their responses to different situations, even preempting them with barking or growly behaviors when they don't know what's going to happen.  They get to choose when to initiate play.  Etc, etc.  

When you start thinking about your dogs' normal day, how many of those 'normal' things is the dog allowed to choose?  Some dogs cannot handle these mundane things, because they have such a keen sense of pack status.  When they see you allowing them to choose the best sleeping spaces (the couch) or providing them food when They beg/demand for it, they see you as potentially lower than themselves in the pack status.  They may try to assert this new position by offering a growl, or a snap when you try to physically push them off that sofa, or give you "the look" when you try to pet them. ***please note:  A lot of these "rude" behaviors can also show up if your dog is in pain or discomfort.  If your dog is presenting new, sudden bouts of aggressive responses, rule out discomfort First.*** 

These social cues can be where these dogs get confused.  They start thinking that you do not have it all under control.  They start seeing you as Less Than a Leader.  Worse, some of them start feeling like They have to take control, because in their doggie souls, a pack needs a leader.  

If you're leaning on the Positive Reinforcement fence, your dog needs The Ultimate Resource Provider to have it under control, or they will feel as though they have to take control.

No matter what training philosophy you are using, the bottom line is that in order for your dog to feel secure, he has to know that what you are telling him to do, is trustworthy.  That you will follow up and follow through with the things you ask/tell him.  Canines thrive on predictable routine.  Some breeds are so genetically designed to take orders, that allowing them to make their own decisions can create behavioral issues, such as aggressive responses, extreme stubbornness, or unpredictable behaviors with people and animals outside the home.

Dogs that fall in to this sort of confusion are usually of the fearful variety.  They may do things to make themselves appear big when they get nervous.  Barking and growling in efforts to police a situation, but when confronted, are more likely to snap and run away, because they truly don't want anything to do with the "scary" situation.  They are a shy kid being forced to become a bully....

These dogs do not know how to Be.  So it is up to you, oh Leader, to start setting them up for success by taking the burden of decision making off their shoulders, and putting it back where it belongs, in your hands.

This does not mean you will need to get big and scary.  It means that for a little while, you may have to abandon the idea that the grown up dog you have, is capable of making any choices.  If you've got a dog that is "out of control" there are some steps you can take to bring them back to center.  Most of this can be applied to almost any dog, but please keep in mind that if you are dealing with an actual dominance issue, these suggestions are only a starting point.  Work with a qualified Teacher (a good dog trainer) to find the best ways to help your individual dog.

Start by creating routine.  We know you already feed them breakfast at a certain time, and there's a predictable exercise excursion, but what about the basics?  

1. Where does dog sleep?  A dog suffering from Pack Status confusion should really be kenneled at night.  Even though your dog has outgrown the chew everything stage, treating their kennel much like a child's bedroom, becomes a familiar and safe feeling place.  

2. Is your dog on a feeding schedule?  Dogs who free-feed (meaning the bowl is always available and always full) are not reliant upon you...They see the bowl as the Resource that provides.  Change this up and provide meals as often as is appropriate for the dog's age.  A puppy will need to be fed 3-5 times a day.  A grown, mature dog might do better on a twice a day, or sometimes even just once a day.

No Free-Feeding.  A Dog with a full bowl does not need you.

If you've got a dog who "refuses" food when it is provided:  Set a timer for 15-20 minutes.  Leave the food available for only that amount of time.  Pick it up when the timer sounds, and do not provide it again until the next scheduled mealtime.

As long as you aren't sneaking the dog some alternative food sources, they will usually begin to eat when you provide it, after 2 or 3 days.  Choosing to skip a meal or three will not harm your dog.  Some dogs do have medical conditions that do not allow for the missing meals, but otherwise, please do not free-feed.

Use part of the food portion as snack rewards.  When working in your home, using the dog's food portion as rewards can be a great alternative to commercial treats.  If you are transitioning from free-feeding, to feeding on a schedule, this can also be a good way to make sure the dog is taking in some calories throughout the day, without creating a situation where they are skipping the dog food to get to the chicken bits.

Those higher-value rewards are for tougher situations; off property, or when guests arrive.  

Should your household be feeding a raw diet, it is even more important that you do not allow the food to sit; this can lead to bacteria growth and health issues for your dog.

4. Does your dog know how to Say Please?  Asking your Status Confused pup to Sit before receiving Anything they want, is an easy way to get them to realize that You are the Leader.  They are adorable, and we know this...But leaders get to choose the affection, not them.  

When they come up looking cute and want affection, tell them to Sit or Down or Shake...Anything! Make them work for the affection.  You may find that they refuse to Sit at first...guess what, you have exposed that he thinks he's better than you.  Assuming he knows how to Sit, if they are used to getting affection for free, and suddenly you are making him work for it, he may not like that initially.  Be patient.  Try not to repeat yourself, and wait him out.  Do not touch or force him to Sit.  

If he stands there staring at you, he is working out in his head just Why Exactly you are telling him to Work.  He is the boss, right?  Why should He do anything for some affection?  This is usually a passing moment of cognition, and they should Sit.

Should he stare for a moment and then walk away, you now must put a leash on him and ask for that Sit again.  Follow through.  He doesn't get to choose to ignore you.  

If he complies and Sits when you ask, feel free to pet him.  Or let him outside.  Or throw his toy.  Or place his food dish down for him, you get the idea.  Asking for that Sit, is teaching him to Say Please.

5.  Do Not Allow a Status Confused dog to greet your guests first.  Putting an insecure dog out in front is just asking for trouble.  The dog may make bad choices, but your guests might make it worse by trying to make friends with him.  Better to kennel him, or leash him, and tell the guests to Please Ignore Him.  A polite dog doesn't bother the guests.  If yours is confused about his role in your pack, it is unfair to allow him to make choices about the visitors.  

When the dog has calmed a bit, if you want to allow him to sniff their feet/legs a bit that's ok.  It is Your choice, not his.  Putting him to work in these situations, such as asking for Sit or Down, or even tossing treats on the floor to encourage his nose to work, can be great ways to help him relax.

This will not diminish any protective instincts your dog may have either.  In fact, by choosing how and when he is allowed to interact with visitors, you are showing him what is appropriate.  This gives him an understanding of "normal" vs. someone breaking in at night, or threatening you.  A dog who learns to ignore welcome guests, be it laying politely on a dog bed, or hanging in their kennel, is more likely to bite someone breaking in because That now feels abnormal to him.  

6. Take away your dogs sleep spot choice.  In addition to kenneling a confused pup at night, it is a good idea to stop allowing him to choose the couch.  Some dogs cannot handle the social disruption that being allowed to sleep in an elevated position can cause.  They are not dumb.  They know how comfortable the couch is.  You, as the Leader, have access to the best, most comfortable places to rest...This is one of them.  

Feel free to provide the dog with comfortable beds, a blanket, even a pillow on that bed if you so desire, but stop letting them up on the furniture.  And no, you cannot skirt this by giving the dog their own recliner.  The idea is to gently remind them that they are a Dog.  

This rule does not have to apply to your run-of-the-mill dog personality, so please know that we do not believe that all dogs must live on the floor.  Dogs who cannot handle the social implications that being allowed "Up" are the dogs we are discussing here.

If you choose to use the crate as his new place to chill, keep the door closed until You choose to put him in there.  Remember, this is about gently controlling all the things that are good in your dogs' life.  Gaining access to a comfy place to lay down can be another way to show him that You are the Leader.  

Don't just leave the kennel door open for him either.  If you have chosen to put him in the crate, you can also choose when to let him out.  Ask for a Sit or Down first, make him work for it.

7. Teach basic obedience.  If your dog doesn't already know a few things, teaching basic things like Sit, or how not to jump on you, goes hand in hand with showing them what their role is.  Jumping all over you is a social no-no.  Respecting the Leader's body space means they don't get to pummel you with paws, or give you the standing "hug." 

To help a Status Confused dog figure out their role in your pack, is about gentle control.  It's about setting up boundaries that cannot be moved, by creating predictable situations for your dog.  If you aren't sure whether or not your dog is struggling with Pack Status Confusion, a Dominance Issue or is just a Wild Puppy who needs some rules, get with a qualified Canine Professional who can help you sort out just what you're dealing with.

Aggressive responses do not always mean you have an Aggressive Dog.  Jealous behaviors may indeed be an indication that your dog does not know his place, or he feels as though he owns that person and is actually struggling with Resource Guarding.  Still further, if your dog is not sure of his role, and is also terrified....He may have a combination of social conditions he is struggling with.  

These suggestions are only a baseline.  They are good for most dogs, and most situations.  Most dogs will start to relax after the first 2-3 weeks of this new routine, as long as the routine is actually being followed.

Resource Guarding: Food Aggression

 A while back, we discussed the basic drives behind a dog who might want to guard, protect, and otherwise act like Golem about “their” food, toys and other good things in their lives. **see article “MINE” April 2014, in the blog list**

What we didn’t really discuss was how to go about fixing this in your home.  Well folks, you are in luck! Today we are going to give you a handy How To.  We are going to go over how to help a dog who wants to guard his food, and possibly attack other dogs in your home.  

We will not be addressing how to work with a dog who goes after You, or other people in your home, when food is present.  That particular problem can have a few different motivations, and based on the individual dog, might need to be handled a number of different ways.  That being said, if your dog is threatening you over food, please contact a qualified professional Teacher (dog trainer) to help you with this dangerous scene.

Ok, back to helping your pup learn how Not to freak out about food, in the presence of another dog.

1. Do not free-feed the dogs.  This gives entirely too many opportunities for some dogs to learn how to push their “siblings” around.

2. Control the situation as much as possible, by using crates, folding pens, or baby-gates so the dogs cannot physically harm each other.  

3. If you are dealing with Cujo, it may be helpful to start by feeding them in separate rooms.  This is obviously not a Fix, as the dog really won’t learn how to let go of this behavior.  It is the safest way to feed, if you do not have time to work with the dog.

4. Sometimes, in lower levels of this resource guarding behavior, you can get results by having the offending dog on leash, so he cannot reach his ‘sibling.’ This can be tricky if the other dog also wishes to come around and investigate the food bowl.  In this instance, put leashes on all the dogs.  Tie them to something stout, or use a helper that can take good direction.

5. Work on basic obedience cues.  
   
   
   Teaching your pups how to Sit, and Wait before diving into their food should be priority.  You may have to work with them separately to teach these  cues.  Once you have taught them to Wait politely for the bowl to be placed on the ground, and your release cue, before being allowed to eat, you can then move on to actually helping them get past this frustrating behavior.

OK, so you’ve checked that the dogs are secured, a ways away form each other.  In this example, we are going to assume that both dogs are secured in kennels.  Make sure these kennels do not share a wall, and that there is distance between them.  A more intense dog will need more space between them, then one that might have only a minor issue.

If your dogs have already had a fight or two, and someone has gotten hurt, please make sure that this distance is quite a bit.  One family we worked with, had to start with the kennels situated so one was actually in another room.  The door to the room was open, so the dogs could hear each other, but the visual intensity was removed.  Go at whatever speed your dog needs.

1. Begin by preparing something extra yummy, like chopped up chicken, or beef.  **Note, if the smell of food is triggering the aggression, please lock them up in kennels, separate rooms, or put them behind those gates, BEFORE you prepare any food.

2. Put only a few kibbles of dog food in each bowl.  

3. Go to the ‘good dog’ and ask for the Sit, Wait (or Stay, whatever you normally use).

4. Go to the ‘food guarding monster’ and ask him to Sit, Wait.

5. Place the bowl for ‘food guarding monster’ in the kennel.  He should be proficient enough with Sit and Wait, to not immediately dive in to the bowl.

6. Close the kennel door, and tell him “OK!” or “Feast!” and allow him to dive in for the few kibbles you offered.

7. Give the Good Dog his bowl of a few kibbles (ask for a short Sit and Wait first), and return immediately to the ‘food guarding monster.’ He should have just finished the small snack.  Use a ‘Slow Feeder’ bowl to give yourself extra time.  Offer him a piece of chicken, and ask him to Sit, or something equally simple.  Give another piece of chicken when he does what you’ve asked.  

8. Repeat.  

Your mealtime will be extended.  You will need at least half and hour, or more, to work through a dog’s normal portion of food in this way, but trust us, this helps.  

What if the dog is so intense about it, that he cannot focus at all when the other dog is present?  He just “goes nuts” every time the food and the other dog are in the same area; even if you have them in separate kennels?

In that case, you can put more distance between them, or experiment with what really motivates that little monster.  For the record, even if it is a 150 lb dog, I will still call them “little” based on the behaviors…anyway….

1. Enlist the help of another person.

2. Separate them accordingly.

3. Place a few kibbles of food in the Good Dog’s bowl, and only two or three kibbles in the ‘food guarding monster’s’ bowl

4. Have your High Value chicken bits at the ready

5. Direct your helper to go to the Good Dog’s kennel, and begin the Sit and Wait for the bowl routine.

6. While this is happening, give small bits of chicken to the ‘food guarding monster.’ If he can focus and does not seem to be interested in the other dog, you can ask for a Sit and Wait. But you may want to start by just giving him a delicious snack and convincing him that while the other dog is getting a bowl, he is getting something Much more awesome.  This also helps remove any anxiety he may be feeling due to the presence of a Bowl.  Dogs connect events.  Bowl = Food = I might lose that food to the other dog = I must protect/guard this resource = I become a Food Guarding Monster.  Removing the bowl and offering only chicken can help.  Keeping him working for that chicken is Better!  Asking him to perform basic things, like Sit, or Shake, to get that chicken puts his brain in work mode—that is a more controlled state of mind.

7. If he can handle the other dog getting the bowl, while he gets chicken, move on to offering him the bowl with only 2-3 kibbles in it.  This short amount of time that he gets to eat, can help avoid his falling in to the obsessive behavior of needing to guard that resource.

8. The moment he finishes those few kibbles, put him to work for chicken.

9. Make sure your helper is continuing to work through the other dog’s food, a few kibbles at at time.  Asking for that Sit and Wait before putting the bowl down and giving the release cue.  This gives you ample time to “Work” the ‘food guarding monster’ through a meal.

When you reach a point that ‘food guarding monster’ seems to be more focused on the chicken bits, than what’s happening with the other dog, you can graduate him to a bigger challenge.  Give him a bit more kibble in the bowl.  Not a lot, mind you, maybe a small handful (be sure to increase the offering for the Good Dog as well).  Getting to this point may take a few weeks. Again, go slow.  It is better to work in the first stages of this for too long, and really set the dog up for success, than to rush it and wind up back where you started.

This change is a pivotal point in figuring out whether or not the dog is ready to move forward.  If he is ready for this, the additional time he spends noshing food from the bowl, should not bring him back to Golem status.  Meaning, he should finish the portion and look to you for that chicken.  

If he falls immediately into a body posture of stiffness, or growls or indicates at all that he thinks the other dog is the place to put his focus, back up and resume giving him only a few pieces of food at a time.

As the ‘food guarding monster’ gets less stressed about the idea that he is missing out on something delicious, you can begin to offer him a larger portion; working towards the goal of being able to provide his entire portion, without him losing his composure.

Remember to keep that chicken handy, as he will need reinforcement when he finishes his food.  This will not be a forever thing.  

Once he can move through the process, with a normal portion of food, and does not seem tense.  Start to move the Good Dog a little closer.  Again, this takes time.  Some families have decided that this is where they stop.  That’s ok.  The dogs are controlled, confined and safe.  

If you choose to move forward, the following steps can be taken:

1. Move the crates about a foot closer together, and repeat the process of using only a few kibbles at a time.  

2. You may have to Back Up and dole out a bunch of those small bits of chicken again.  Remember, every time you change something, you have to help the dog generalize the behavior.

3. If the ‘food guarding monster’ is handling it well, move those crates about a foot closer together at the next meal and see how it goes.

4. Should the ‘food guarding monster’ show any tension at all, go slow, and try to build the behaviors he’s now familiar with.  Here is 3 kibbles, Dude.  Sit.  Wait.  OK, Feast! And now here’s Chicken.  Can you Sit?  Good!  Here’s more chicken.  And so on.

5. The goal may be to have their kennels right next to each other and providing meals.  Please remember that the Good Dog, is probably afraid of the ‘food guarding monster.’ Keeping about 6-8” between the kennels/crates provides a safety barrier in case something goes south.  

6. If the dog does well for a couple days, but shows signs of reverting to Golem, simply put more space between them and practice with the ‘early’ stage again.  He may not be ready, or just really can’t let go of this natural, but frustrating behavior.

Q: How do we get them to just be cool without the crates, gates or pen?

A: Use leashes.  You may need a helper.  Follow the same protocol:  Distance between them; start slow; offer small amounts; ask for good behaviors; reward and distract with a more desirable snack.

If you are working by yourself, tie the Good Dog to something so you can focus on working the ‘food guarding monster.’ As he gets better at relaxing, you can move him closer in small increments.

Q: What kind of correction can we give?

A:  Provided that you have taken the time to build alternative behaviors (focus on the better reward, and don’t fall into Golem mind), and the dog has demonstrated that they can focus and behave a bit, it is ok to issue a firm, “NO!” should the dog rush, or growl at the other dog.  

This should be followed immediately by removing him to a safe distance, and resume the exercise at that distance.  

We want to avoid this situation as much as we can.  While you should correct for this outburst, it is unfair to continue to force him into a situation where he feels the need to fight for that resource.  This is a stressful thing for him, for you, and for the Good Dog.  This can put your Good Dog into a state of mind where he can start to believe that fighting is the only alternative; now you have Two (or more) dogs who feel like fighting. 

Separation Anxiety: How to Avoid It; How to Help It

 "Oh my Gawd...What. Did. You. Do!?!"

"I can't leave him alone, he gets mad and piddles on the floor."

"My shoes...My couch...My stairwell banisters...OH and the neighbors hate him for the howling..."

How many times have you returned home, only to find the inside of your house looks like a small tornado hit it?

Though it may be easy to believe your dog is getting back at you for leaving him, or that he is thinking "I hate my person sooo much, I'm gonna eat his favorite chair!" you'd be wrong. Dogs do not act out with that kind of forethought. What you are seeing is the end result of extreme stress.

True, full-blown cases of SA are far less common then the more mild, and more easily treatable version. A dog with a serious case of SA will exhibit signs well-before you leave. Triggers such as picking up your keys, putting on your shoes, grabbing your purse, or putting on your jacket may send your dog into a tizzy of different behaviors.

The dog's stress level will elevate as you prepare to leave, and you may see things like 

▪ excessive panting

▪ drooling

▪ vomiting

▪ diarrhea

▪ trembling

▪ whining/barking/howling

▪ self-mutilation (pulling out, or biting of fur, tail, legs, etc) 

▪ depression

In mild SA you may not notice any symptoms until you've returned to a house full of destroyed furniture, missing chunks of carpet, beaver-toothed marks in your walls, etc. Be aware that some of the aforementioned behaviors can simply be boredom, and in that case, your dog may just need more to do in your absence. Destructive behavior can also be attributed to younger dogs' need to play, and with no one around to tell your dog not to do something, they may get carried away and you are now left to replace whatever they've chewed.

Should your dog be exhibiting aggressive, mouthy, or pushy behaviors upon your arrival, contact a professional to evaluate what might be motivating these moments. Dogs with insecurities about their role in your pack unit will sometimes act out of frustrations. Other times, we may be dealing with a simple case of a rather nice dog that is completely Out of Control. A canine without manners, especially a large one, can be a handful just being themselves.

Mild SA symptoms include (but are not limited to)
▪ barking/whining/howling
▪ 'accidents' when left alone for only short periods of time (pertains to dogs already house-trained)
▪ destructive behavior such as carpet digging, door scratching, window ledge eating, mini-blind wrecking, couch cushion shredding, trash strewing...you get the idea.

Most of the time, these are trainable, conditionable, and sometimes medically treated symptoms.

First, and most importantly, get your dog checked out by a Veterinarian. In extreme cases of SA, your dog may truly benefit from taking a calming medication such as Reconcile, or Prozac. Do NOT give your dog your own medication; you could kill him/her. Only give what is prescribed by your vet, and known to be safe for such purpose. But be aware, medication comes with a risk of side effects, so be sure that you are comfortable with the medication prescribed as well.

There are also a number of Natural and Homeopathic remedies that can help relieve some of the stress your dog feels when you are away. Bach's Rescue Remedy for pets, is a homeopathic blend of five flower oils that have been shown to reduce stress levels in some animals (and people).

The Thunder Shirt has also been a recent addition to the pet anxiety market. It has had remarkable effects on some dogs, and none on others; try it on yours and see.
Pheromone collars are also a good addition to a stress relieving program. They are specifically formulated to emit (synthetic) calming pheromone, much like the calming scents/pheromones that a mother dog emits when nursing her puppies.

Anxietrax is an FDA approved blend of floral and other plant extracts known to relieve and calm animals, it incorporates the uses of Aspen, Chamomile and others.

Next, get a good Behavior Modification Plan in place.
▪ This starts with Exercise
I can't say enough how important it is to meet the exercise requirements of your canine compadre. A tired dog is going to be naturally more calm and well-behaved, and less likely to "freak out" when you leave.

▪ Basic Obedience Training
Getting your dog under control when you are around will help create boundaries in your home, and also strengthen the trust your dog already has in you. Trust and respect are completely different than needing to be with you all the time. We can love and trust our friends and family, but we don't need to be near them every moment of the day; teach your dog the same.

▪ Appealing, Entertaining Toys
Providing your dog with things to do while you are away is very important. A peanut butter (or other flavor) filled Kong, a special filled bone, or a 'busy toy' designed to take a long time to get treats out of (Kong Wobbler, or a Treat Puzzle) can help occupy your dog. If you have a dog with Mild SA, you can sometimes hide treats all over the house, giving her something to do in your absence. *note: Don't hide them too well, or you'll increase the digging at carpet or couches.

▪ Music
Playing soft, soothing music (think 'Chopin') when you are away can help. Some dogs enjoy the sound of the TV. at lower volume to keep them company. There are also a number of Dog DVD's out there. Make sure this is not "the album I play while I am gone," if your dog associates that particular song with you leaving, you're back at square one. Rather, play the music while you are home every so often too. Do not play it at a loud volume, just loud enough to be covering the outside sounds a bit.

▪ Doggy Day Care or Friends
If you are concerned about your dog being lonely, and they get along well with other dogs, you can avoid leaving them home alone for long periods by signing them up for Day Care. Or if you have a friend who wouldn't mind your dog hanging out with their dogs, that can work too.

▪ A secure, safe Crate or Dog Pen
The most certain way to avoid destruction is to confine the dog. Placing them in a crate, with a comfortable blanket or bed (the bed may get destroyed) can help calm a dog. You must spend time crate-training before you do this, and you must also be sure to put the dog in the crate when you are home sometimes too. Again, we don't want to create a 'this is only done when I'm going to leave you' scenario.
If you are using a pen, be sure the dog cannot escape from said area, and there is nothing the dog could hurt himself on, should he try to break out.
Provide an entertaining toy for your dog while they are in the crate.

Teaching your dog to not need you so much

Write a list of 'triggers' (keys, shoes, jacket, etc), then do them and go Nowhere.
Say picking up your keys sets your dog into a drooling, whining fit, and now he's following you like his nose has glue on it and is stuck to you. Pick up your keys. Carry them around the house, doing whatever it is that you do in the house, and say nothing to the dog. When he has brought his level of emotional intensity down, then just put the keys back where they belong, and go about your business. Repeat until you are not getting the intense reaction from your dog when the keys are picked up.

Trying to soothe your dog when he is in that state of mind only serves to enforce that he is right to be so nervous. Instead, pet him and talk to him only when he is calm.

Keep your comings and goings to a boring level
Most of us make the huge mistake of greeting the dog excitedly when we come home.

Stop that. When you arrive, ignore the dog for just a few minutes. Tour the house quietly, looking for damage/destruction, and just to reaffirm that you will not acknowledge the dog until he is calm. If you live with other people, greet them first.

If your dog is crated, do not go straight to the crate and let them out. Tour the house, hang up your coat, whatever, just do not let that dog out right away. Let them bring their level down first. Yes, I know the dog is barking in excitement to see you, but don't even look at the dog at that point. When the dog is quiet, then let them out and take them outdoors for a potty break.

When you leave, just leave. Gather your stuff, and leave. Do not fall into the "ohhh be a good doggy while I'm away" trap. You are broadcasting loud and clear to the dog that you too are nervous about leaving him alone. If using a crate, put the dog into the crate a few minutes before you actually leave, and give the dog a reward for being in there.

Ignore the Dog When You Find a Mess Upon Returning Home
Our dogs live for our attention. When we don't give it, they try very hard to get it back.

When you spend that extra time upon arrival touring the house, and you find a mess, continue to ignore your dog until that mess is completely cleaned up. They pick up on the message that destroying things does not work to get our attention, and this can help them stop destroying things altogether (works in mild SA only).

If you've been gone for a while, and your dog needs to go outdoors to eliminate, take him out, and then when you have let him back inside, do the ignoring and the cleaning. As soon as the mess is cleaned, then you can act like you see the dog again, "oh my goodness, I have a dog?!? Wow, nice dog you are!"

Begin by giving your dog a nice long walk, or other form of tiring exercise.

Show your dog it is o.k. to be in another room without you.
Give him a busy toy, then walk out of the room. Walk back in quickly (if he's extremely

hooked on you) and say nothing. You can work up to the time he is in the other room without you being longer, and then teach the same thing for being outdoors (if you have a fenced in yard).

Slowly graduate to leaving him alone in the house when you go outdoors. Start with only a few seconds and build the time you leave him inside without you.
Step outside your door:

▪ With, and without all the things on his 'trigger list'

▪ Slowly. Do not expect your dog to immediately be ok for an hour. Begin with a few seconds, move to 10 seconds, 30, a minute, two minutes, seven minutes, etc.

▪ Graduate to starting the car, turning off the car and coming back inside. Again, remember no fanfare, no excited greetings.

▪ Move on to pulling out of the driveway, and returning. Enlist a friend to help with this:

▪ You leave, get into your car, which your friend drives. Have friend drive just out of sight of any windows your dog can see out of.

▪ You get out, and walk back to the house. Thus helping desensitize dog to car as trigger.

▪ Begin building the amount of time you are gone.

Do Not:
▪ Do Not Punish for destruction.

This only breeds more destruction. Just like the kid who busts out the headlight on Dad's car to get Dad to notice him, your dog is just trying to get you to notice. You give attention, even negatively, your dog still gets what he wants: Attention.

▪ Do Not Acknowledge Excessive Greetings
Whining and jumping all over you when you arrive, is not only inappropriate, but it

can undermine your efforts to soothe him for being alone. Tour the house for messes before you say 'hi' to the dog.

▪ Don’t Play Aggressive Music when you are gone. Heavy metal was not designed to soothe. It will not help to calm most dogs. However, if you and your dogs are always listening to metal, this is normal for them. Carry on.

▪ Unless it is a dangerous situation, Do Not Give Your Dog Attention Until a Mess is Cleaned Up

▪ Do Not Go Too Fast
If you are leaving your dog for ten minutes, and he does fine, but you leave for

three hours and he destroys everything, you are moving too fast for him. Go back to ten minutes and try for fifteen.

▪ Don’t Hesitate to Investigate Medical Reasons
A dog who normally never displays SA but suddenly begins to, may be unhealthy.

Get them checked out by a licensed Vet. Sometimes there is an upset or difference in a dog's routine that can start SA, but get them checked to rule out physical discomfort, or illness.

▪ Do Not Lose Hope
This can be a very frustrating, expensive problem to fix. It does not happen

overnight. Small successes add up to huge progress, so hang in there, you'll get through it.

Do:
▪ Feed Quality Nutrition

A number of dog food additives and chemicals have been known to contribute to hyperactivity and elevated levels of stress. Artificial colorants and food dyes can lead to anxiousness, an inability to focus, allergies, and many other diseases or imbalances in the system.

▪ Exercise Your Dog
A happy, physically fit, tired dog is less likely to feel stressed.

▪ Teach Your Dog Obedience ▪ Socialize Your Dog

If you are the only people in his life, he's really going to stress when those people aren't close. Being properly socialized creates a more balanced personality in your dog, and therefore a lower level of stresses that can contribute to SA.

▪ Give Yourself a Break
Dogs are some of the most forgiving and easily reroutable creatures, behaviorally speaking. So even if you feel like you've been doing it all wrong, or that your dog is beyond hope, he's not. There is hope. There is help. With patience and determination, and the right kind of work, your dog can overcome most cases of Separation Anxiety.