Your Dog Home Alone
Last spring Lori Taylor, 39, of Brooklyn, New York, was as happy as she’d been in recent memory. After being laid off eight months earlier, she had a new job, a steady paycheck, and somewhere to go every morning.
But the other member of Taylor’s household—a two-year-old Dachshund named Oliver—was markedly less excited. “Oliver had gotten used to me being home with him,” said Taylor. “He kind of freaked out when that changed.” Suddenly her landlord, who lived upstairs, complained that the once quiet Oliver was spending his late afternoon hours each day barking.
The pair could not remain in the apartment if something didn’t change.
So Taylor consulted her veterinarian, who recommended as much exercise as she and her pooch could fit in. “I started getting up an hour earlier each day and walking fast around the park with Oliver for that entire hour to wear him out. It was either try that or move. Luckily it worked.”
Dr. Trisha Joyce, a veterinarian with BluePearl Pet Hospital Brooklyn NY, says canine exercise is often the first defense against loneliness and other emotional issues that lead to dogs’ behavior problems. Below, Dr. Joyce weighs in on how to identify and alleviate loneliness in your best doggy friend.
Do Dogs Get Lonely?
Dogs are social animals and generally don’t tolerate long periods of being alone. “Whether it’s ‘lonely’ as we feel it or not, we don’t know, but they do exhibit signs that being alone is not good for them,” says Dr. Joyce. Signs can include behaviors like barking, chewing furniture, excessive self-licking, and soiling the house. “Different breeds have different tolerance for being alone,” explains Dr. Joyce. “For example, Border Collies and other dogs bred to be on high alert are likely to be the most sensitive. Also, younger dogs, or dogs accustomed to spending most of their time with others, won’t likely respond as well to long periods of being alone.”
How Do You Know If Your Dog is Lonely?
Dogs communicate with their owners through their actions. A dog that is injuring itself (like with excessive licking or tail biting), or causing other disturbances (like barking or destroying property), may react to feeling lonely during more extended periods spent alone. This behavior change will be more likely if the amount of alone-time has recently increased. Once your veterinarian has ruled out medical explanations for the problematic behaviors, emotional problems can, and should, be addressed.
One caveat: it is essential to distinguish loneliness (which crops up during repeated, lengthy periods of being alone) from separation anxiety, diagnosed when dogs become very upset as owners prepare to leave, and then exhibit behaviors like not eating when the owner is away, or gnawing at doors and windows even during short periods of solitude. Your veterinarian can help you understand whether your pet’s problem likely results from loneliness or separation anxiety, the latter of which is often treated with a combination of behavioral techniques and medication.
How to Help Your Dog Cope with Loneliness
While quitting your job is not likely a viable option, many dog owners have found the strategies below useful:
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Wear Your Dog Out
Dr. Joyce notes that a dog worn out from a healthy morning exercise session is calmer and happier throughout the day. Just ask Taylor, who continues to exercise Oliver every morning. (“He’s stopped barking, and I’ve lost 10 pounds!” Taylor says.)
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Entertain Your Dog
Dogs do better alone when they have something to do. Interactive toys (like puzzle toys and the red rubber Kongs that allow you to hide food for your pet to excavate) can lie around until Fido needs to busy himself with something.
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Buy Your Dog Some Company
Wear an old t-shirt as you are getting ready to leave. As you are about to head out for the day, put the t-shirt somewhere your dog can find it. Your dog will enjoy smelling the scent of their favorite human while you are out.
If a midday dog walker is in your budget, it’s a good option for the lonely dog. Just 20 minutes of social interaction with the walker and others they meet on the street can go a long way toward improving your dog’s mood.
Do Dogs Need Another Dog?
Having a Fido playmate can be helpful for some dogs, especially if they are lonely. A second dog (or even a cat) can provide some much-needed company for a lonely dog. As well as company, two dogs can provide each other with stimulation and a playmate.
Getting a second dog is not a decision that you should take lightly; Your dog’s personality needs to be considered. Having a second dog who clashes with your first dog
will not help resolve any home alone issues for your dog. Financials – ask yourself if you are ready and able to double your pet ownership costs (vet bills, vaccinations, food, etc.). Commitment – dogs can be hard work, especially if they need training or regular grooming (you can exercise both dogs together).
And finally, Dr. Joyce adds, make the most of your time together when you can be with your dog. “Engage with your dog,” she says. “Toss a ball, give him a good brushing, or even watch some television together. At the end of the day, dogs are happy to sit on the couch with you, too.”
Article written by Author: Rose Springer, the Dog Daily Expert