Feeling attached
I have to tell you, I really love people. And while I probably am a bunch of different breeds, somewhere in me in definitely hound. Rebecca laughs because I like to talk to my people. I have a hound howl when people come home. I have a hound howl when people leave. I even have a hound howl when I get silly. Each of my howls sounds a little different, but I use them everyday. I do not like to be left, and my “I am left alone” howl is quite sad sounding. This is really common in a lot of dogs. We are social animals, so we don’t like when we are alone. Shelter dogs like me often develop a fear of being abandoned again, so separation anxiety can develop. It can be pretty serious. The most common behaviors that are seen in a dog that suffers from separation anxiety are:
- digging, chewing, and scratching at doors or windows in an attempt to escape and reunite with their owners.
- Howling, barking, and crying in an attempt to get their owner to return.
- Urination and defecation (even with housetrained dogs) as a result of distress
I must admit that I howl when the people leave, but as soon as they are out of my sight I stop. No sense to go on and on. I normally just nap until they come back, so while separation anxiety is not an issue with me, it could be a problem. I have been spending most of my time with Rebecca, so when she leaves me I do show some signs of stress, but luckily for me I have been surrounded by people that are doing all the right things. There are no energetic hellos or goodbyes here. People come and go, and sometimes don’t even acknowledge me with much more than a “Hello big guy.” This helps. I also have a safe place. Rebecca calls it “Blu’s room.” It is a spare bedroom, and while I prefer to lay on the floor in the living room, in my bedroom is my crate and my blanket. I go there to rest sometimes. Dogs need a safe place. Another thing my people are doing to help avoid separation anxiety is I am also being socialized. This is a team effort by all the people at Narnia. I go to class, and I go on walks. Once I feel a little better, I am going to start going out in the community for more outings. Positive socialization ( meaning meeting nice dogs and people) helps create a friendly confident dog. One of the best things that my people are doing is when they come back and I have done something they view as “naughty,” they don’t get mad and yell at me. For me to understand not to repeat a behavior, they MUST catch me in the act. If they did correct me after I misbehaved, I would associate my people returning after an absence with being in trouble. The next time they leave I would become anxious, therefore chewing on whatever item is handy to help relieve the stress and anxiety. Thus a pattern begins and separation anxiety rears its ugly head!
Luckily, my people understand that separation anxiety is sometimes a concern for a shelter dog, so they just need to clear and consistent when helping transition to my new home. I do like to give them a sad howl good bye or a happy howl hello. I want my people to know that I love and appreciate them!