Pets Lost and Found

posted by admin on Apr 11

Desensitizing a dog is a long process and requires patience and commitment. It may often be difficult not to give in to the dog’s pleadings. Be strong. Be the Alpha Dog.

• Make sure that the dog is healthy by taking it to the vet for a thorough checkup. (read our article on medical aid for pets)
• Make sure the dog has a very comfortable place to sleep.
• Make sure the dog has good clean healthy meals and fresh water.
• Make sure the dog gets a lot of exercise.
• Revert to initial obedience training, like sit/wait/eat, etc. to re-establish your alpha dog position in the relationship.
• Never, never, never punish or scold the dog for destructive behavior. Research has found that anxiety levels in dogs who expect punishment, increases substantially in the half an hour before the owner is expected back home.

Teach the dog that it is good and nice to be alone sometimes. Leave out fresh toys every day, pick up the toys of the previous day and replace them with others, on a rotational basis. Give special treats that would last a while, like braided ostrich sinews, but only when you go out. (The dog may very well end up being pleased to see the back of you!) I have always believed in simple training methods – even the smartest dog in the world is not a rocket scientist and with a bit of clever planning and training, we can easily outsmart them.
Remember; always speak in a calm, low-pitched voice. All commands must be firm – no shouting or requesting – simply command. Even when the dog disobeys your commands, you are not to become excited.
It is essential that you ignore any behavior geared to seeking attention – barking, whining, jumping etc.
Enforce the down/stay commands. Slowly increase the down/stay periods, while staying with the dog. After some days, start moving one or two steps away. Increase the distance progressively. When anxiety symptoms appear, step closer without making a fuss. Eventually the dog will realize that you are “available” even when you leave him alone for half an hour or so, by moving into another room in the house.
Once the dog remains calm when you move to another room, you can move him outside. Leave him outside for a very short period – in the beginning maybe leave him with an interesting chew to distract his attention from you. Go inside for just a few seconds. Increase the “inside” periods gradually. Then start closing the door between you for half a second. Increase the closed-door period gradually. At no time must you leave the dog alone longer than it is prepared to go. You must go back outside before the dog starts displaying any signs of anxiousness. You will simply undo all the hard work by reinforcing the anxiety again.
If the dog does display any sign of anxiety, move close to him, but ignore the dog completely until it has calmed down.
While you are still practicing the “outside” behavior, you can start to give some attention to things inside the house that triggers the distress and anxiety.
Make note of everything that you and other family members do that triggers the anxiety. e.g. picking up the car keys. The dog would have typical anxiety symptoms when they notice you go through the pre-departure routine. Like putting on shoes, jersey, jacket, closing doors and windows, switching off the TV, picking up your car keys etc.
Now start with desensitizing the dog. Pick up the keys and let them jingle in your hand or on your belt for hours. Put on your shoes and jacket, pick up the keys and go sit in the dining room to have lunch or go watch TV for a long time. Do this for example when you are planning to watch a rugby match. Switch the TV off, put on your shoes, close the curtains and go make yourself a cup of coffee. After three or four weeks, the dog would take practically no notice of these activities. Always remember – do not reinforce anxious behavior, by responding to it. Ignore the dog completely until it has calmed down.
Now start with “leaving the house” desensitization. Go outside, initially without things like the car key, shoes, etc. Close the door and open it again by the count of 15. Slowly extend the time outside. After a while, take the car keys with you, but open the door again before the dog start barking or whining. Slowly increase this time as well.
After you can stay outside for at least 30 minutes, without triggering anxiety, you can start the car. Let it idle for a few minutes and come right back into the house. Again, do not respond to anxious behavior – ignore it completely. Calmly sit down somewhere and give attention only when the dog is calm and quiet.
When you go outside for an extended period, give the dog a stuffed Kong, or braided ostrich sinews. Something nice that will keep the dog busy for a while. Now, take the vehicle out the driveway and stay away for about 5 minutes. Increase this time away from the house gradually.
NEVER GIVE ANY RECOGNITION TO THE DOG WHILE IT IS DISPLAYING ANXIETY BEHAVIOR.
This process may take as long as 6 weeks, be patient.
In severe cases, it may be necessary to ignore the dog completely for three or four weeks. Keep in mind, if it is currently only clinging to one family member, it may simply transfer its clinging habit to another family member who now gives attention. Apart from making sure that the dog’s physical needs are attended to, it may receive no attention whatsoever from any family member. Ignoring the dog may seem severe and harsh, but in the end, it will result in a much happier dog and a strong healthy relationship between pet and owner.

The golden rule is always, prevention is better than curing. You can use these methods to teach a new puppy from an early age, that it does not have to be afraid to be alone. If you have a new dog that you adopted from a shelter, start with the training from the first day. Nevertheless, give huge amounts of quality attention while the dog is calm and quiet.

Good luck and remember: PATIENCE is the key.