Separation Anxiety Dogs
Usually when one mentions "Separation Anxiety Dogs", visions of torn down curtains, de-stuffed pillows and well digested shoes, spring into mind.... and these images are correct, but only tell part of the story. The other part has to do with what makes your friend act so out of character, when there is no one around. First, let's be selfish though, and talk about how to save our interior decors. As we state elsewhere we are very strong believers in 'positive reinforcement'- and that negative (and especially violent or threatening) training techniques are generally counter-productive with any dog, but particularly with Boxers (read more on this here). However, and here we go against the general 'positive-reinforcement school of thought' a bit, it is important to consider what is actually 'positive' and 'negative' from the Boxers perspective. They may be members of the family, but they aren't quite biological relations, after all! For example, if I step out for a couple of hours, when I come home and our dog has been a 'good girl', she generally comes running, jumping and licking in greeting, and tries to do cart-wheels over the furniture. But, if while I was gone she instead had a go at my favorite Nikes or rearranged the dining room table or perhaps got a start on our next wall-papering project or...... Well, she is generally, no where to be found when I get home. She actally tries to hide. Mind you, she has never been treated in a way that should inspire fear... So I believe she simply, instinctively, realises that all is not well. Until the animal behaviorists (that believe our dogs are "clueless" as to what they have done wrong by the time we get home, so therefore, "disciplining" them at that time is "useless") can explain why our Boxer Dog knows when it is appropriate to be running and jumping for joy at my arrival, as opposed to when she should be running for cover when I get home, I will find their behavioral theories, in this case, questionable. The theory just doesn't pass the common-sense test. But how can we 'discipline' and remain 'positive'? Are the two a conflict in terms? We aren't behaviorists, but we think "positive reinforcement" can extend training a dog, as much as possible, in a fashion that mimics her own, natural behavior. If that behavior happens to help make a disciplinary point, so be it. For example, overcoming the 'separation anxiety dogs' misbehavior provides the 'go to your place' command (we cover that elsewhere) an excellent opportunity to show its worth. As we say on that page, the 'place' is the equivalent of a "time-out". Time to just sit, watch and think a bit about events unfolding around her and about how she relly wants to behave. In this case, the dog also wants to be "out of sight", perhaps out of fear (unfortunately) but most probably just out a sort of "shameful" feeling. Her 'place' may serve her need to be somewhat detached at that particular moment, while communicating that you aren't quite happy with the current state of affairs. Our experience has consistently been that sending our errant friend to a 'place' where HE CAN WATCH YOU CLEAN THE MESS UP is a technique that is EXREMELY EFFECTIVE in discouraging future angry manifestations of loneliness. A couple of firm "No's" while you are picking up the stuff, an occasional 'boo-hooo' or even give a little howl, can reinforce your message. When all is cleaned up, call her over and give a thorough 'I'm not mad/ sad anymore' rub down. Point made. I accept that most behaviorists will take exception to our giving the Boxers credit for that much awareness of events in time and space. We only know this method works for us. Now for more traditional tips: 1) Make your house Boxer safe. Pay special attention to any electric cords. Unplug them if they are accesible. Do this forever, whether you have a Separation Anxiety Dog or not. It only takes one chew to lose a friend. 2) Accustom your dog to being alone from Day 1. Begin from the first day you bring your pup home. Start with leaving her alone for 15 minutes at a time. Perhaps two or three time a day, if you work from home, or if you usually have someone at home. If the puppy normally will have to live through extended periods alone, try to, originally, come home for lunch... etc. The point is, getting the dog used to being alone, and making him aware that you will come back. 3) Here is a biggy! Exercise the dog before you leave! See our dog walking tips here. Always remember "a tired dog is a good dog". If you are pressed for time, find a good hill to climb... 10 minutes walking at a good pace uphill can 'chill' a boxer for half a day! If you have time though, a good, brisk 30 minute walk would be a great way for you and your dog to start the day. 5-10 minutes of a ball chase in a large enough garden could do the trick too. You have to take him out to pee before you leave anyways, so make sure he gets some exercise while you are at it. It will save you some repair bills! Also, for those of you with Boxers up to 14 months old, take heart. Our experience is that many dogs simply grow out the hell-raising phase as they become more and more confident that you will return. Consistently applying the "place" technique outlined above will hopefully, exepdite the 'maturation' process in this regard! Separation Anxiety Dogs Now for the 'separation anxiety dogs' point of view. As we state elsewhere, we aren't in full agreement with those breeders and experts who question 'whether the Boxer is the right dog for you' because he is lively and athletic and ultra-playful. But we are IN FULL AGREEMENT with the experts when they question whether the Boxer is appropriate for a family situation requiring her to spend inordinate amounts of time alone. For our purposes 'inordinate' means '9 or more hours per day'. We aren't sure we shouldn't reduce that time frame a bit (and welcome opinions on that matter). But at the 8 to 9 hour threshold, you should really think about either getting your Boxer a friend to pass the time with, or consider another breed. The Boxer is an EXTREMELY social dog (which explains why she is the 'separation anxiety dog'). So social, in fact that she isn't happy even when just one member of the family is around... and is truly only satisfied when the 'gang's all here'. In our opinion, this is one of the more touching characteristics of the breed. But it comes with its set of costs....the "Separation Anxiety Dog". One of
our readers
wrote this to us about Separation Anxiety Dogs: "I agree with what you said, but I also think this goes to who is the pack leader. If a dog feels that he's in charge he gets very nervous when his "pets" are out of sight and he can't control / protect them. They want the gang to be all there same as a mother chicken wants to know where her chicks are....."
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