Leaving Your Dog Home Alone

Does your dog become overly anxious when you leave the house or upon your return? Could be he is suffering from separation anxiety - a severe fear and dislike of isolation. Dogs who have experienced traumatic events such as a sudden change in environment, loss or addition of a family member, or lack of attention and mistreatment early in life may be more prone to excessive dependence and separation anxiety.

Indications of separation anxiety will generally begin approximately thirty minutes before you leave. Signs include destructive behavior or scratching at the door shortly after you leave, constant or excessive barking, whining or whimpering, hyperactivity, increased aggression, depression, or urination/defecation in inappropriate areas. If these behaviors exhibit themselves consistently when you are leaving or while you are gone, here are a few ways to help your pet feel more secure.

Plan scheduled departures. This technique helps your dog adjust by exposing her to repeated short periods of isolation. Spend 5 minutes with your dog to put her in a calm state. During this time, do not touch or talk to her. Then gather your keys and leave your home for a few seconds to a minute, making certain to return before your dog becomes anxious. When you reenter the house, do not talk or touch her. Wait a few minutes before greeting your dog or causally calling her by name. Repeat this procedure until your dog shows no sign of distress. Before increasing the separation time, make certain your dog is calm and does not engage in an extended greeting when you reenter. Continue this process, gradually increasing the length of separation time. After the short departures have reached 30 minutes, increase the alone time in larger increments. Once your pet can be left alone for an hour and a half without anxiety, she can generally be left all day. Remember to consult your vet or an animal behaviourist to design a treatment program for your dog.

Give your dog more exercise, both mental and physical. Take your dog to the park for an extended run, explore new places, go for a play date with other dog buddies or teach him a new training exercise.

Make your departure and return as uneventful as possible to avoid over stimulation.

Leave a recently worn article of clothing where your dog sleeps. Your scent will help ease his anxiety.

Watch the signs. Look for the earliest action in your predeparture sequence which makes your dog anxious, such as putting on your shoes or picking up keys? When you are home, repeat these triggers in a normal fashion until your dog becomes comfortable with them, then move on to the next step in your departure sequence. If your dog's anxiety does not decrease after a number of repetitions, you may need to reassess what the first trigger is and try again.

Leave the TV or radio on for your dog to hear while you are away, providing the dog does not associate these items with a stressful situation.

Leave a hard rubber toy for your dog filled with her favorite treat (peanut butter, cheese, kibble, etc.) . This provides a distraction and keeps her occupied while you are away. It will also focus her attention on the toy and not on the destruction of your furniture.

When your pup is young, consider crate-training to establish independence and safe alone time.

Have patience.

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Poisonous Substances and Your Dog

No matter how smart your dog, as pet parents, we need to help our friends stay as safe and healthy as possible. Below are a few simple tips to keep your dog in tip top shape.

Dogs may eat grass to help with indigestion, but certain plants can be toxic if ingested. Caladium, Castor bean, Day Lily, Dumbcane, English Ivy, European Bittersweet, Lantana, Mistletoe, Oleander, Philodendrons, Poinsettia, and Rhubarb are just a few which can cause your dog serious harm. For a complete list, go to the Humane Society web site http://www.hsus.org/ and enter poisonous plants in the search box.

Place cleaning products as well as shampoo, soap, and hair products out of reach.

Clean automotive spills or leaks promptly and avoid using antifreeze containing ethylene glycol. The sweet taste can be attractive to your pet, but just 2 ounces of an ethylene glycol antifreeze can be fatal.

Although a treat for our palette, chocolate contains the stimulant theobromide which poses serious health risks for dogs.

Sign up for a dog first aid class. Contact your vet, the Humane Society (http://www.hsus.org/) or the ASPCA (http://www.aspca.org/) for classes in your area.

Keep a list of poison control numbers handy. In the event of a poisoning emergency, call your vet immediately or the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A $55 fee may be applied to your credit card for calls to the APCC (http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc).

Know the signs. Dogs who have ingested poison generally display some of the following symptoms: fever, diarrhea, stomach pain, listlessness, lack of coordination, vomiting and tremors. If your pet has ingested something poisons, contact your vet immediately.

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Bathing Your Dog

We may enjoy a long soak in the tub or a hot shower after a grueling day, but often our furry friends don't share our bathing enthusiasm. Here are a few helpful hints to make cleanliness a less life altering experience.

Bath time can be a stressful time for some dogs. Speak to your pet in a friendly, comforting tone. Just hearing your voice will reassure your dog all is well.

If the outdoor temperature is below 65 degrees (19 C) bathe your dog indoors. In addition, most outdoor faucets only pump cold water.

Both pet and baby shampoos work well when bathing your pet. Rinse your dog with warm water before applying shampoo or put a few drops of shampoo in a large container of warm water. Pour over your dog before you wet her to help remove stubborn oils and dirt which have accumulated in the fur. Begin shampooing at the head working your way to the tail. Rinse twice using the same head to tail movement. Use the second rinsing to make certain all the shampoo has been removed from the skin.

Where you bathe your dog makes a difference too. For large dogs try the shower. Medium dogs can be washed well in either a deep sink or the bathtub. For small dogs, try the kitchen sink. Place a towel in the sink or a nonslip mat in the shower for added traction. If possible use a hand held shower attachment to make your life easier.

And don't forget, bring your sense of humor.

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