Desperate dogs

Like most other vocations, dog behaviour work has its ups and downs. Some cases are very rewarding with really positive results. Then others can be very upsetting. For example, when a dog is suffering emotionally, and you just know that the owner is unwilling or unable to do anything to help the animal. This is what has happened to me over the past couple of weeks, with three calls for very similar problems. Each one was a very desperate dog badly in need of company and emotional support.

The first was from a very anxious lady who was being taken to court because of neighbours complaining about her dog barking. It turned out that the dog is left at home from 9am until 6pm, or later most nights.

On further investigation, it appears that not only was the dog barking, but was also howling. The lady wanted to use anti bark collars and ultra sonic devices to stop the barking. Now these might just stop barking, in some cases, but they will not stop a dog that is howling.

Neither do these punishers resolve the emotional problems that the dog is experiencing. In my opinion, barking is from the head, and is often used to gain attention. The dog barks and listens to hear if anyone will respond. If there is no response it will continue until it gets some reaction, or the owners come home. Barking causes feelings of annoyance and irritation in humans. Neighbours nowadays are much more likely to take legal action against this annoyance.

However, I believe that howling is from the heart. This is a lonely dog that is desperately calling for company. Dogs are sociable animals that have a deep instinctive need for company. Without this they can be very miserable. The sound of a dog howling is more likely to cause feelings of distress and concern in humans. We recognise this as an unhappy sound.

The second case was a lady who had just moved house. Her dog had been fine at their previous home when left alone, but now was barking as soon as she left. Again there were complaints from neighbours and a visit from the police. The dog had also been destructive, chewing rugs and door frames. This often happens when dogs are put into new situations. This dog was suffering from stress.

The chewing is for comfort, not because it is being naughty. Chewing releases endorphins that help relieve stress. Dogs need time to settle and become familiar with new surroundings, and can often show behaviour problems in the first few weeks of moving house.

I often find that plugging in a dog appeasing pheromone, and the bach flower remedy ‘Walnut’ can really help the dog emotionally with the settling period.

Case three I’m afraid really angered me. This was a call from a lady to say that her dog was suffering from separation anxiety. Again it was a neighbour complaining about howling from 8am until 6pm. On asking how long this has been going on for, the owner said, "He’s been doing this ever since we got him four weeks ago, but it’s getting worse." "Is he a rescue dog", I asked. "Oh no he’s a puppy," the owner replied. This puppy had been left on his own all day long from the age of eight weeks.

This is not separation anxiety. This is a desperate little infant animal that cannot cope on its own. Like human babies, young animals require company, attention and care. They need to learn right from wrong – how can they possibly do this on their own. How do they ever develop into well-adjusted adults without guidance and attention? In my opinion this little chap should be re-homed with someone who is prepared to give the time and devotion needed to provide a happy stable home. The owner does not want to give the puppy up as it was a birthday present from her husband. Sorry folks, but I think this is just selfish.

Would you leave a baby at home alone all day? The message that comes over clearly, is that if we decide to take a dog into our homes, we have a responsibility for its emotional as well as physical health. We have to think about how our actions and lifestyle can have an effect on our pet’s happiness. An unhappy or untrained dog can be very unpredictable. An awful lot is expected from dogs these days. They are expected to fit in with family commitments and work, many with little attention, and then they are expected to behave like angels. If you can’t give these animals the commitment they deserve, perhaps a robot dog would be a better choice of pet for you. At least you can switch these on and off to suit your lifestyle.

I often hear people say "My dog is just one of the family". However, would you leave a member of your family locked up every day with nothing to do, no one to speak to, no television, or telephone, no books to read, no computer? In fact, cut off all forms of communication with anyone.

Think hard about how you would feel if this happened to you day in day out, and also add to this, you don’t know when or if anyone might actually come back. You might get depressed, fretful or go a bit crazy. You might try shouting or making some sort of noise to see if you can get anyone’s attention.

When you eventually get to see someone you would probably get over-excited and want to have some interaction with them, and not want them to leave again. This is what a lot of dogs home alone are trying to do. Dogs have very similar emotions and feelings to us. They feel fear, anxiety, pain, boredom, frustration, as well as happiness and joy. For anyone considering buying a dog, especially for Christmas or a birthday present, please think long and hard about the commitment you can give this living animal. It’s just like having a baby. In particular, puppies are very demanding and need lots of time, attention and walks. If you can’t devote the time, then don’t get a dog.

Reference: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au

Return to the index...

This article has been viewed 2103 times.