Back to school time can spell separation

A-N-X-I-E-T-Y

for the family dog  

Dogs, like people, are social animals. In the wild, dogs live in packs - hunting, eating and sleeping together. For a dog living as a companion animal, the family is his pack and he expects to be with his pack.

Fall can be a difficult transition for the family dog. After having the children home to play with all summer, your best friend may be lonely and bored - especially if mom and dad are off at work all day. A sudden change in routine can cause an otherwise happy, well-behaved dog to display undesirable, even destructive behaviors.

If your family pet is home alone all day and has recently started chewing on furniture, scratching at walls, barking excessively, or messing in the house, a mild form of separation anxiety may be the cause.

Exercise is key
Exercise is one of the most important elements in solving the problem, because a well-exercised dog is more likely to sleep than chew up the sofa. However, with the kids at school, your pooch is probably getting less physical activity, mental stimulation and one-on-one attention than he's been accustomed to over the summer. The resulting boredom can cause him to get into trouble when he's home alone.

Try pumping up your dog's exercise routine to at least 30 minutes a day. But remember, leaving him outside in the yard all day is NOT exercise. Your dog needs an active round of fetch, a long walk, or roughhousing with canine friends at the dog park. If possible, exercise them in the morning, so they're tired and ready for a nap when you walk out the door.

Try training
Regular training work with your dog can also help. Even a few minutes a couple of times a day can be effective. Dogs like to have a job. It doesn't have to be obedience practice. You can work on a trick, like lifting a paw or learning to rollover. Whatever you do, be sure to reward him either with affection or with a treat.

Other tactics
Distraction tactics can also help with some pets. Leaving your dog with a cube or a kong filled with peanut butter, cheese or another favorite treat can keep him busy for hours. Some dogs are reassured by the sound of the radio or television, especially if they are accustomed to hearing them when you are at home.

If destructive behavior is still a problem, try crating your dog when you're away from home. If your dog is crate-trained already, this is an easy solution. If not, you need to introduce it slowly. Start by crating for short sessions when you're at home, then gradually increase the period of time in the crate. However, trainers say, crating should only be used for a few hours at a time, followed by a period of exercise and play. No pet should be confined in a crate all day without relief.

If, despite all these solutions, your dog continues to demonstrate destructive behaviors, a trip to the vet may be in order to determine whether there is an underlying health issue. If your pet is in extreme distress, the vet can also prescribe medication that will help reduce the dog's anxiety.