Bored Bowser Begs Buttered Bones

Bones

All dogs are intensely social animals. Wild canids are born into pack situations where they remain their entire lives. Our domestic dogs can usually be taught to tolerate temporary isolation. Gradual adjustment periods can produce long range results. One excellent book suggesting common solutions is Dog Problems -by David Weston and Ruth Ross, available as ISBN# 0-87605-507-2.

If your dog becomes mildly anxious when left alone, try offering puzzle toys in his crate or other designated area of the house or yard. Use hollow rubber toys or sterilized hollow beef bone toys of appropriate sizes. Put a piece of hot dog, dab of peanut butter, or cheese spread inside.

Begin the game by saying, "Search!" in a happy, excited voice, bend over and give the dog one of the prepared toys. Let him enjoy it to his heart's content. Do this several times during the day until Fluffy is certain the word "Search!" means another yummy chew toy is coming.

Finally, when the dog is out of sight, put the puzzle toy on the floor just behind your foot. Call the dog, give him the Search! signal, but only bend slightly in his direction. He will most likely begin to hunt by checking out the floor and discover the toy. In the beginning make it very easy for the dog to locate his prize.

Gradually place the goodie farther away from you -- eventually out of sight. In time, the Search! signal can give Silky all the fun and excitement of an Easter egg hunt. This gives our dogs chances to indulge in naturally rewarding hunting and chewing behaviors with safe, acceptable items. Gnawing relieves stress.

You can teach Ranger to almost look forward to having you leave by setting him off on a safe "Search!" game and leaving the house for only a few minutes at a time. Gradually increase the length of your absence.

If lots of buttered up bones are lying about underfoot, your dog will become desensitized to the game and the objects. Keep the goodies picked up -- in reserve for special occasions -- when Cuddles must be left alone or crated to amuse herself. Rotating only two or three different toys each day helps to maintain interest. Everything old can seem new again.

Each dog adjusts differently to being alone. Try keeping your greetings emotionally flat, actually dull to the dog. Full blown clinical separation anxiety in dogs can result in property destruction and even self mutilation. Some cases respond well to behavior modification, others require veterinarian administered drug therapies. If you think you have a serious problem, consult your vet.