Teaching Lockdown Puppies To Be Alone
Dogs are socially obligate mammals just like human beings, which is one of the reasons they make such wonderful companions. However, this means being alone is not a natural canine behaviour and just like people being forced into isolation often results in a negative emotional response. This does not however mean that dogs cannot learn to be comfortable with their own space and develop good emotional resilience to stimuli that would otherwise be a negative experience.
Many have expressed their concerns over lockdown puppies developing separation-related behavioural problems once owners return to work. While it is certainly a risk if owners eventually return abruptly to work, it’s not an inevitability and not new. Historically owners with jobs would take two weeks off to stay at home with their puppy bonding and allowing the puppy to adjust to its new environment and human pack. After their two week holiday was up they would return to work ensuring the puppy was walked or let out during the day often leaving them alone for several hours at a time. This sudden change in routine and lack of the dog’s social needs being met results in a variety of negative emotions anywhere from temporary boredom to true panic in some dogs. As the behaviour is a result of the absence of the owner it can often go unnoticed and is believed to be more common than actually reported.
Behaviours that are commonly detected include, but are not exclusive to:
1. Destruction, Chewing, Digging
Owners will sometimes come home to find a door, window frame, wall or objects in the house destroyed. Dogs can injure themselves in this process breaking teeth, nails or lacerate their skin.
2. Vocalisation
Neighbours will often complain of a persistent dog howling or barking.
3. Voiding
Owners may come home to find their dog has urinated or defecated inside whilst being left alone despite being toilet trained normally.
Dogs can participate in these behaviours for a variety of reasons and it is important to work alongside a dog behaviourist and veterinarian to untangle the motivations behind specific behaviours. It is quite different to howl constantly at the door the owner left from then to bark at people walking by the window. Likewise urinating inside can sometimes be related to a medical condition like diabetes or a urinary tract infection and not be a behaviour issue at all. As the behaviours are displayed without the owner being present remote video technology is highly recommended. The timing, location and type of behaviour can provide much valuable information to the motivations behind the behaviour. There is no one size fits all solution to separation-related behavioural issues and treatment requires a tailored approach to your individual dog that cannot be fit into a veterinary consultation.
Prevention is better than cure
The first eight weeks of a puppy’s life are critical. If you are purchasing a puppy from a breeder it is wise to do your research, and expect a waiting list from a responsible breeder. Try to avoid online sellers of puppies, and expect to pay a fair price - discounted prices are often a reflection of mass breeding and increase your risk of lifelong health and behavioural issues. Insist on seeing at least one if not both of the parents. The new home from eight weeks of age is also important and critical to this introduction is teaching your dog to be comfortable and relaxed without your attention and without your presence. These lessons must be gradual and may seem almost trivial initially however slow introductions making sure there are no negative emotional reactions with each step will lead to success.
Below are a few helpful videos on how to avoid or deal with separation issues:
The six to nine months of age period is vital to developing positive emotional responses. It is during this time that your dog's limbic system is developing and can be altered by early stress and high cortisol levels. Exposure to multiple complex social situations and a wide variety of experiences is a protective factor.
Treatment
Once a physical health issue has been ruled out, the underlying behavioural motivation is first identified before treatment can begin. The approach to treatment will be different in each case as each dog’s motivations for undesirable behaviours are different. Ensuring the basic needs of the dog are met regarding social play, resources, and ideally providing a regular routine is a helpful starting point. Predictability is a big factor in reducing frustration. Limiting exposure to fear eliciting stimuli can also be important, which can be as simple as moving the dog away from parts of the house where there are lots of visual and auditory triggers. Providing a safe place or hiding place can allow your dog to develop a coping strategy when experiencing fear eliciting stimuli. This is then followed by reintroducing the stimuli gradually and in small intensities with associated positive emotional responses. Each dog is different and an individual assessment of the underlying motivations in each case is needed.
Dog Behaviourists
Working alongside dog behaviourists and participating in puppy socialisation classes is a fantastic way to learn strategies to avoid future undesirable behaviours in your dog as well as treat them. I am frequently asked which dog behaviourists I recommend. Please see the contact details of an exceptional behaviourist I can recommend. I also make behavioural referrals to specialists at the Royal Veterinary College.
Sue or Ceri Evans of Alpha Dog Training London, N4
Tel. 020 8809 6762