Author: Dogs' Info Planet
My dog seems jealous of other dogs and/or family members, even though
he gets plenty of attention. Why?
It is not uncommon to have rivalries multi-dog households. This almost
always an issue over dominance, regardless of whether the dogs were raised
together or one was introduced at a later time.
The dominant dog is usually the one to act out. He does so because he
feels it is his right as 'pack leader' to receive your attention before you
acknowledge the rest of the pack. He
may growl or bark or even bite the non-dominant dog in retaliation.
Some similar issues come into play regarding humans. The human 'pack
leader' is often the one who feeds, walks and spends the most time with the dog.
More innately dominance-oriented dogs can become jealous and protective
based on sex, as well. A dog of either
sex may choose a same or opposite sex human as pack leader. For example, a male
dog raised by a single woman may 'hate' her boyfriends or male friends if he is
not exposed to them frequently before he reaches sexual maturity.
To reform this behavior as much as possible, it is necessary to have
the 'mistrusted' human take over some of the care and feeding responsibilities
for the dog. The more time the animal spends growing accustomed to that
person's voice and scent, the more willing he'll be to allow that person 'into
the pack'.
My dog seems depressed after a major change in his life. Is this
normal?
Dogs can experience 'reactive depression' just like their human
counterparts. Dogs enjoy routine and consistency. Major changes to their
environment, such as the death of a pack-mate or primary human caretaker, can
be very upsetting.
If a fellow house pet had passed away, it can be beneficial to let the
dog see and sniff the body, as gruesome as it may sound. Your dog will
understand death, and will mourn it in his own way. What's harder for him to
understand is when his companion has simply disappeared.
In the case of a human caretaker's absence, the best approach is to
establish the new primary caretaker as quickly as possible, and make sure the
dog receives plenty of affection and attention.
Why does my dog tear up the house when I leave him alone inside?
Dogs are highly social. The two things they hate the most are being
left alone, and being left out. It is boring to them and also increases their
anxiety.
The mistake pet owners often make (this is true for cat owners as well)
is that shower affection on their dog just before leaving him
alone in the house. We naturally feel guilty for having to leave our pets
alone, so we try to make up for it by petting them and telling them “We'll be
right back”.
Unfortunately, your dog can read even the most subtle stress signals in
your voice. He hears this at the same time you are showering him with attention
and, essentially, it “crosses his wires”. He is stressed by the stress he hears
in your voice, so he wants your attention back, to comfort him, the
moment you walk out the door.
Avoiding this problem is best accomplished by setting up the proper
routine when your dog is still a puppy, but you can still implement these same
procedures with an older dog to help break the pattern:
--
Provide your dog with play and attention well in advance of when you
intend to leave. For example, if you intend to go out at 7:00 p.m., play
fetch with him from 5:30 to 6:00.
--
Leave a few of his favorite toys out for him to play with while you're
gone.
You can also leave on the T.V. or radio if you'll be gone more than an hour.
--
When you leave, do so without petting or talking. It may feel 'cruel'
at first,
but your dog will not be upset by you neglecting to tell him 'goodbye'.
--
Once you return, avoid showering him with attention right away. Take 5
or 10
minutes to do what you need to do, and then very casually turn your attention
to him. Over time, this will help alleviate the clinging and over-excited
behavior your
dog displays when you return home.
I have an older dog who seems to be getting grouchier as he ages.
Should I worry?
Mood swings and irritability in aging dogs is common, but still
warrants a trip to the vet. Some causes of this behavior are treatable and
others are not. If your dog has a treatable illness you can alleviate his pain,
and restore him to a happier frame of mine.
Other age-related conditions, such as arthritis and vision and hearing
loss, can be soothed to a point, but will continue to progress to the end.
These types of changes require that you make life as comfortable as possible
for your dog. If your dog has hearing or vision problems, for example, you'll
need to approach him more slowly and gently so that you don't startle him.
It is also important to maintain as much of your dog's routine as
possible. Older pets have a much harder time adapting to change, and it is even
more important to them that their environment remains consistent and stable.
My dog is 'possessive' of food and/or toys, and is aggressive when he
feels either are being threatened. What should I do?
This guarding instinct is another type of dominance behavior, and may
be difficult to treat in some cases depending on your breed of dog. Breeds
known for working in packs are less prone to guarding their 'possessions',
while Terriers and other independent types are more competitive.
Dealing with this behavior is mainly a matter of asserting yourself as
'alpha dog' when the conflict arises.
My seem overly 'passive', fearful or submissive. Is this just a
personality quirk?
Yes and no. Some dogs are actually shy. However, a 'normal', shy dog
will still display a fair degree of confidence under most circumstances.
The time to worry is when you have evidence of past abuse, and your
dog's fear-based, submissive behavior is causing problems. Fearful dogs typically
have issues with when, where and how you pet them. They may crouch, tremble or
tail-tuck frequently, even when your approach is non-threatening. Some
especially apprehensive dogs will involuntarily 'relieve themselves' on the
floor.
If this describes your dog, you'll want to look into some gentle,
'desensitization' methods to include in his training.
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