Are Dog Chewing Problems A Sign Of Anxiety In Dogs?
Dog chewing is a real indicator of dog separation anxiety, especially if it's only taking place when they're left home alone. Sometimes these dog chewing problems can start for no clear reason, as this query I received demonstrates. The dog owner had taken on a rescue dog a week earlier and it had been fine until now.
We rescued Sam a 6 month old Parsons jack russell. We had had him just over a week. He's been very good except today he had chewed doors, carpet plus other items. We have left him for short periods of time up to 2-3 hours max. Today he was left for 30 mins. Help!
Before treating the anxiousness, the first and most blatant thing would be to cross out the possibility that the chewing is a result of teething for a dog this age. But if the dog is only chewing when the owner is out, and not during the daytime when they are around, it does point to separation anxiety being the cause.
The dogs chewing is due to the dog's belief it is pack leader and thus accountable for the safety of its owners. It cannot do this if they go away and leave him locked in the house and hence the dog gets very worried. The chewing helps release a natural calming enzyme that helps to calm their nerves. It's why people gnaw their nails, or maybe comfort eat when they are anxious.
To stop your dog chewing, the key's to show you're the leader as, for a dog, in nature, the pack leader is the only one who can appear and disappear as they please and the remainder of the pack isn't going to fret about them.
In all cases of anxiousness in dogs, remember that less is more. Make sure you stay calm yourself and do not make a huge fuss of your dog when you leave, or when you return. Also it's important that you do not get cross with your dog, roar at them or punish them if their anxiety has caused them to chew things, destroy things or mess in the house. All studies prove that it is likelier to make their anxiousness worse.
Start by looking at your own behavior and seeing what changes you can make. Ask yourself, what do you do before you go out? Do you fuss your dog or spend a long time reassuring them? Or are you feeling nervous yourself at leaving them home alone? All of these reactions will increase their stress instead of make them feel more relaxed.
What do you do when you come back home? Do you make a fuss of your dog? How does your dog respond to your arrival? Do they hurl themselves at you and run around manically? See if you can avoid talking to them or stroking them till they calm down and leave you alone. It's incredible how much this one thing can help.
This initial interaction is important to assure the dog you're the one it can trust and when you get that right it can make all the difference. Its always advisable to catch dog chewing problems early to stop it escalating as it might be the start of all sorts of other dog behavior problems.
Author Venice Marriott is a writer and dog owner and runs a website to help dog owners deal with the behaviour problems caused by dog anxiety. Get more information about why dog chewing is a symptom of dog separation anxiety, when you visit the site.