My dog acts up whenever I leave my apartment. PLEASE HELP!?

Question

Every time I leave my apartment, even if it's only for 10 minutes, my Blue Heller will take food off the counter and tear open the trash. I try to remove anything that she might get into before I leave, but every once in a while I will forget something like a small bag of trash by the door or a small amount of food on the kitchen countertop. For instance, today I left my apartment for only 10 minutes at the most, and accidentally left a bag of tortillas on the countertop. When I came home there was tortillas all over my kitchen floor!

Also, whenever she does something like that it's as if she KNOWS she has done a bad thing because instead of greeting me at the door like she does when she has not destroyed anything, she cowers in the corner with her tail between her legs. She KNOWS she has been a bad dog.

What can I do to break her of this awful behavior?

Answer 1

Separation anxiety in dogs is the fear or dislike of isolation which often results in undesirable behaviour. Separation anxiety is one of the most common causes of canine behavioural problems (Polin 1992; Voith and Borchelt 1985).

As social animals, it is normal for puppies to form attachments to their mother and littermates. Once a puppy is separated from its family group, it becomes attached to its owner. Attachment implies a trusting relationship and is the foundation of a good, healthy bond between owner and pet (Polin 1992). However, when a dog becomes overly dependent on its owner, problem behaviours may result.

There are many problem behaviours associated with separation anxiety including: defecation and urination in inappropriate locations, destructive behaviour, excessive barking and whining, depression, and hyperactivity. These behaviours may also be the symptoms of other problems. However, if undesired behaviours are clearly related to the absence of the owner, occur shortly after departure and a prolonged greeting response occurs upon the owner's return, separation anxiety is the probable cause (McElroy 1989). If a problem behaviour has persisted for an extended period, a visit to the vet will ensure that there are no underlying medical problems.

Contributing Factors

Separation anxiety may occur in dogs with an abnormal predisposition to dependency (Machum 1991). Traumatic events in a young dog's life may also increase the likelihood of the development of very strong attachments. These events include; early separation from the *****, deprivation of attachment early in life (puppies kept in pet shops or animal shelters), a sudden change of environment (new home, stay at a kennel), a change in owner's lifestyle which results in a sudden end to constant contact with the animal, a long-term or permanent absence of a family member (divorce, death, child leaving home) or the addition of a new family member (baby, pet) (Voith and Borchelt 1985; McElroy 1989).

Separation-induced behaviours

Every dog afflicted with separation anxiety reacts somewhat differently (Borchelt 1983). Some dogs only engage in one problem behaviour while others may engage in several. Many dogs can sense when their owner is leaving and become anxious even before the owner leaves the house. The dog may follow the owner from room to room, whimper, shake or even become aggressive as the owner tries to depart (Voith and Borchelt 1985). The dog's anxiety level peaks within 30 minutes of departure and this is usually when most damage is done. Dogs displaying separation anxiety will often scratch and dig at doors and windows in an attempt to follow their owner. Chewing on household objects is also very common. Some dogs urinate and defecate in unacceptable locations such as by the door or on their owner's bed. Whining and barking for an extended period are also common concerns. Other dogs become depressed and will not eat or drink while their owner is gone. This is especially detrimental if the owner is gone for an extended period. In rare cases, dogs will have diarrhea, vomit or engage in self-mutilation such as chewing on themselves or excessive licking after being left alone. Most affected dogs will become overly excited when the owner arrives home and will engage in an unusually prolonged greeting (Voith and Borchelt 1985).

Treatment

Some methods for treating problem behaviour include: punishment crate-training, and obedience training. These methods are directed at the problem behaviour, however they fail to address the source of the problem. By ignoring the source of the problems, one undesirable behaviour may simply be replaced with another as the dog searches for an outlet for its anxiousness (Borchelt 1983). In addition, punishment is likely to be counter productive and will only increase a dog's anxiety with each departure. Therefore, punishment is not recommended as an acceptable method of treating separation anxiety.

Presently, the most accepted method for treating separation anxiety involves planned departures. This method involves gradually adjusting the dog to being alone by exposure to many short departures. Because the stress response occurs very shortly after the owner's departure (within 30 minutes), the dog should only be left alone for very short intervals at first (seconds to minutes) to ensure the owner returns before the onset of anxiety. Before the departure period can be increased, the owner must be certain that the dog is not stressed. The owner must closely watch the dog for signs of anxiety and ensure that the dog does not engage in an extended greeting. After the short departures have reached the 30 minute mark, the length of time the dog is left can be increased by larger increments. Once the dog can be left alone for 1.5 hours, it can usually be left all day. Departure and return should be made as quiet and uneventful as possible to avoid overstimulating the dog. The dog should not be given attention prior to departures nor given attention and praise upon returns. Excessive attention prior to departure and upon return seem to increase the anxiety during separation and it does NOT make it easier on the dog as most people suspect. Safety cues may also be used to associate with the short departures (Voith and Borchelt 1985). The T.V. or radio can be left on or an acceptable chew toy may be provided for the dog. However, it is very important that the safety cue is not an item that the dog already associates with anxiety. These cues help the dog relate to a previous safe period of isolation.

Antianxiety medications are sometimes used to suppress anxiety. These are often used on dogs with severe separation anxiety or when owners simply must leave the dog alone for an extended period while treatment is occurring. The use of drugs allows the dog to spend extended periods of time free of anxiety. However, in most cases, drugs do not offer a solution and should be used in combination with a treatment program. A vet should be consulted for further information on the safest and most effective anxiety- suppressing drugs.

In severe cases the owner may also have to take steps to weaken the dog's dependency upon a person. This requires the owner to ignore the dog for a period of time, sometimes up to three weeks (Flannigan, Personal comm.). This will not break the bond between owner and dog but it will decrease the dog's extreme dependency and allow it to tolerate its owner¹s absence without anxiety (Machum 1991). Ignoring your favourite pet may be difficult but it is important to keep in mind that a much more healthy and happy relationship will result.

Prevention

When a puppy or new dog is brought into the home, it is important to avoid situations that may encourage an excessive attachment to develop. Your dog should slowly become accustomed to staying alone (Voith and Borchelt 1985). This can be accomplished by crate-training when the pup is young. As well, ensuring that the dog does not constantly follow the owner and gradually adjusts to being alone in the house will go a long way toward a healthy owner-pet relationship.

Summary

If you think your pet may be the victim of separation anxiety it is important to take measures to alleviate the problem soon. Unfortunately it is not something that will simply disappear with time. Your vet may be able to help get a treatment program started or could refer you to an animal behaviourist who may be more familiar with treatment alternatives. It is important to remember that your pet is not bad or trying to make life miserable-although it sometimes may feel that way! Your pet is the victim of a disorder that can be treated. Prognosis for recovery is excellent if you are willing to spend time working with your pet (Voith and Borchelt 1985). If early attempts on your own fail to decrease your pet¹s anxiety, contact a professional who may be able to point out a critical detail that others less experienced with behavioural disorders may overlook.

Answer 2

Go to the search box above and type in "separation anxiety". It will show you a list of all past questions on separation anxiety.

Also, you are just going to have to be more conscious of your home. Having a mischevious dog (especially of THAT breed) is just like having a baby. DOG PROOF your home. Not only for your own sanity, but for your dog's safety. Or crate train as the others have mentioned already.

Good luck...been there done that myself.

Answer 3

I had a German Shepherd/Beagle mix dog. My son was about two years old. We were both taking a nap. He woke up before me and somehow figured out how to open the door. He went outside and I think he was trying to go across the street to play with the little boy who lives across the street. My dog kept blocking him. She would jump up and put her feet on his shoulders and push him down. She was barking loudly. It woke me up and I went running outside and saw what she was doing. She was keeping him safely away from the street. She lived to be 18 years old.

Answer 4

I agree with ringtailroxy's answer and am glad someone brought the animal behavior field into the answer. Kennel training is a good idea. Every dog I've ever owned has been kennel trained. It is like their "safe space." And as mentioned before, animals don't "know" what they did wrong. They associate, in this case, the trash on the floor with yelling. Animals don't think on the same level as people, so asking them what they did doesn't do anything except prove to them that they will be yelled at for the trash on the floor. Punishment is not a very effective means of training your dog. Positive reinforcement works well, give treats and praise for good behavior. And as other people have mentioned...dogs get lonely and need attention and things to keep them busy.

Answer 5

My dog tears up paper and goes through the trash sometimes as well. For mine it seems to be a product of boredom because it occurs during the weekdays when I have less time to spend with her. With her doing it even when you are gone for ten minutes it might be something different but still I would try, if you don't already, leaving more toys for her.
Also when you leave do not make it a dramatic good bye simply say something like "watch the house" which may make you feel a little guilty but when you love on the dog to much before you go it really confuses her when you are suddenly gone. Same with greeting avoid making them dramatic be very calm when saying hello. If this stuff doesn't work or you have tried it and it doesn't work, I would look up separation anxiety on the web ( I once researched it for a class and there was a lot of info) in rare cases a dog may need meds for their anxiety.
In the meantime I would keep the trash out of her reach so she doesn't ingest anything that may be harmful not to mention cost a lot of money.. good luck

Answer 6

One of my dogs, we had great success with a crate. My other one, disaster. I would suggest calling this fabulous dog training company called Bark Busters. It's expensive but worth every penny. They actually come to your home and train you and your dog. My puppy was an inch away from being surrendered to the pound, Bark Busters came in, fixed her up and I adore my dog now. And the best part is, the training is guaranteed for the life of your dog. If your dog ever starts to act up again, old problems or new, they come back-free of charge. Look them up on line, I promise you won't be sorry!

Answer 7

positive thing you can do is to train him, which take a while, try punishing him if he does ripping up things, and pretend you are going out for 1 min, and if he doesnt act up, then go in and give him some treat, and gradually increase the time you leave the door, he should learn very quickly (esp. if it is a young pup). good luck

Answer 8

my god! some of these answers are GREAT, some are atrocious! but, it is ultimately up to you to make a good judgement call. an Australian Cattle Dog needs a job, more than anything else. no amount of "punishment" will stop her garbage-raiding (trust me, if i forget, my 11 year old cow dog WILL get the trash too!)

the reason she "acts" like she's done wrong is not because she' s a genius and "knows" what she did wrong. what she does know is that when you come home and there is trash on the floor, she gets punished or you react (yelling, or some discipline) and that you are going crazy for no reason. catching her in the act and immediately punishing her will only result in her NOT getting into the trash when you are home.

a crate is a great tool. get some info and USE it. if that's not to your liking, use a second-hand baby gate to block off the kitchen or wherever you have the garbage. and do keep her mind busy. she's likely just bored, not hungry. teach her tricks and spend a MINIMUM of 2 fifteen-to-twenty minute breaks with just you and her daily. take 2 minutes to give her a greenie treat or a kong filled with cream cheese or treats to entertain her. make her think-this breed is extremely driven and need to be mentally and physically stimulated every day.

Answer 9

Crate her. Dogs with bad manners shouldn't be roaming the house unsupervised. Counter surfing is unacceptable behavior, and if you are not there to correct it as it happens, then when you get back it is too late.

Answer 10

Look up separation anxiety. We actually had to medicate our dog for nearly a year to calm him down. My vet told me stories of a dog jumping out of a second story window to get to its owner. It's no joke. I recommend doing something soon before any harm comes to your friend.

Answer 11

you just described my 14 month old pit bull..separation anxiety..my nephew had to get the equl of a doggie valium for his boxer bull dog..as dixie has gotten older she has gotten a bit better..i love her but she is a hand full..good luck