Dog owners tell me often that their dog was “mad” at them and acted out. I have clients that post video and photos of their pet’s destruction on social media and then everyone comments. Many of the comments reflect this exact sentiment- “He must have been mad at you for leaving him”. Dogs feel emotions (See Does My Dog Feel Jealousy?), but if your dog is extremely destructive or urinating when you are away, it’s probably not anger.
Animals do not react in anger. (Thank God! That’s one of the reasons I love them.) They are much more apt to react from fear. If your dog is tearing things apart in the house after you leave, he/she could be suffering from separation anxiety.
Try and place yourself in your dog’s shoes (so to speak). Can you imagine being so stressed that you did not know what to do? All of that stress and fear build up in affected dogs and cause them to displace onto other things. It does not sound like a fun situation at all.
A diagnosis of Separation Anxiety is really important because with supervised medications and behavior modification, he/she can learn to cope with fears and relieve the strain on your bond. Treating the underlying condition can protect his/her health and your sanity.
Your veterinarian can help and may even refer you to a veterinary behaviorist. These specialists are veterinarians who are knowledgeable in all aspects of animal behavior. They have additional certification past their Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and are required to stay current on the most recent scientific findings in the behavior field.
When you learn to recognize such situations as cries for help, you will be able to take better care of your home, your money, and your dog.
“When You’re Away” Comfort Cuddler™ may help calm your dog and avoid anxiety disasters. Each purchase through iHeartDogs will provide a dog toy to a shelter dog in need!
