By Niamh Lynch, Polite Paws Dog Training and Walking (https://www.politepaws.ie/)

Separation-related behaviours are generally behaviours we see each time we leave our dog alone,

either separated from all their people or specific individuals. They might even demonstrate some excitable or big intense behaviours when you return too.

Separation related behaviours may include destructive-type behaviour such as chewing and tearing

items such as toys or furniture, panting or pacing, toileting indoors, barking, or other vocalisations,

trying to escape, inability to rest or eat etc, and these behaviours generally begin quite quickly upon

the owner’s absence. However, some dogs will demonstrate ‘quieter’ separation related behaviour,

becoming listless and still. Some dogs may lay watching the door or the windows or even participate

in repetitive grooming or licking of themselves. As you can see it’s a wide range of things that dogs

might do when left alone!

In general, we often only really seek help for separation-related behaviour concerns when the

behaviours become an issue for us. Perhaps the neighbours complained about the barking, or we’ve

come home to only half a sofa! It’s important to realise that if our dog is demonstrating behaviours

like these during the time when we have left home regardless of destruction or noise complaints, we

should give them support and get help to improve the situation during absences.

So, what is the plan for helping our dog?

The first thing that should always happen is a vet check-up. We want to ensure our dog is physically

fully healthy, but also make that connection with our vet team and bring these behaviours to their

attention, so we have our vet on board should we need medical support later. We must build a

team for our dog as we are more likely to be successful if we are supported during this journey.

Next, get in touch with a suitably accredited behaviour professional who can support with

developing a training plan and guiding you with it.

We also want to meet our dog’s needs, beyond food shelter and exercise. Provide your dog with daily outlets for lots of normal and necessary canine behaviour. Use free resources such as the 100 Days Of Enrichment blog to give you ideas and instructions for doing this. Think of all the fun, silly and destructive things your dog loves to do, and let’s give them appropriate outlets for these!

There is evidence to suggest that playing with your dog can support them with their separation-related behaviour, so this part of the plan is vital and cannot be skipped. Our dogs need so much more in their lives for their wellbeing.

We also want to put together a history of our dog’s behaviour, and we want this to be detailed, right

down to their history before you got them if you have it. Your behaviour professional should be able

to ask all the questions that are relevant but make sure you include all of the information about

when you noticed it, when it started etc. Write down a timeline of your dogs life so that you have it

to hand before your consultation.

Lastly, you will want a video camera or a way of monitoring your dog whilst you are absent. You only

need a video feed; none of those fancy two way ‘talk to your dog’ or press-a-button-to-drop-a-treat

gadgets. Simple video is all that is required as observing your dog’s behaviour will be a big aspect of the plan. We will want to know when the problem behaviours begin, and even some footage from the few minutes before you leave the house. All of this is important and relevant information.

Myths, dos, and don’ts

You’ll notice that we don’t talk about leaving dogs or puppies to ‘cry it out’, or ignore our dogs

before we leave / after we return home. There is no evidence to suggest that withholding social

interaction when our dogs are distressed is a solution to reducing these behaviours. We shouldn’t

ignore our dogs if they are distressed, whether they are a tiny puppy or an adult.

DO return to your dog if they begin to get distressed.

DO try and reduce or eliminate the times during which your dog is left to become distressed.

DON’T be afraid to say hello to your dog and greet them when you return from being out.

DON’T blame yourself; there is no evidence that your dog cuddling in your bed/on your sofa,

following you to the loo or getting affection from you when they ask for it is a cause of their

separation related behaviour. Love your dog your way.

DO discuss with your veterinary professional if there are medications that can help your dog with

their behaviour.

Where can I find appropriate help?

Reach out to a professional who can support you on this journey; there’s lots of suitably qualified

professionals willing to support you and your dog. You can email Niamh Lynch CBTT at

info@politepaws.ie if you have any questions or wish to get started with a plan for your pet!