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Separation Anxiety
Jackie Drakeford
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Separation anxiety can be one of the most difficult issues to work through
with a dog. On the plus side - and several exasperating behaviours have a
plus side - recall, steadiness and retrieve training are usually much easier
with a dog that cannot bear you to be out of its sight. Sometimes giving a
dog all it can manage in the way of training will give it so much to think
about that mental and physical tiredness can make separation less important
to it. If a dog is so needy of your company, then let it work every
moment it is with you, and give it plenty of exercise, so that sleep can overcome
the fear of being alone. Changing its food will often help too, for
so many dogs are reactive to the additives and unnatural components of processed
food.
One of the best cures I saw for profound separation anxiety was demonstrated
by a farmer friend. The dog had come from rescue kennels, and his
previous owners had chained him out in the garden because of his indoor
destructiveness. His protests at this has made him the subject of
a Noise Abatement Order. That winter was very wet, and the dog spent
endless hours following his new owner about in pouring rain, high winds
and bitter cold. Soon, the relative warmth of the farmhouse seemed
more appealing, and because the dog chose to leave the owner rather than
the owner absenting himself from the dog, the separation problems eased
considerably. Gradually the dog became more at ease with his own company,
and while the problem never went away completely, he can now be left without
protest or damage.
Pictures courtesy of Lynn Frankham
reprinted with kind permission from Alastair Balmain
Deputy Editor:
Shooting Times &
Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750
The above information is simply informational.
It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist
you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian
for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.