One must remember that the above conditions are being discussed as if being in an older animal - not in puppies that are being house-trained or chewing due to teething, etc.
Dogs that attack the doors, furniture, or articles frequently used by the owners during periods of the owners absence fall into this category. These dogs are typically acting out of a sense of frustration and anxiety.
Therapy
Treatment in these individuals is best done using two methods. One is the use of antidepressants or antianxiety drugs. The other method is the use of the procedure known as "Denning".
In this procedure, the dog is caged for gradually decreasing time periods. First, the confinement is for all the time except for exercise, obedience training, and elimination, then caged while the owner is asleep or away. As the sessions progress, the confinement will only be while the owner is away.
Eventually, after approximately 6 weeks, the cage is left open but the dog is not confined to it. Whether the dog feels secure when the cage is present, i.e., treats the cage like a den, or whether the contrast between confinement and freedom outweighs the contrast between freedom with and without the owner, the technique can be successful.
Barking occurring for long periods with no apparent cause should not be punished with electric shock collars because the dog may be even more likely to vocalize if it hurts. If barking is caused by separation anxiety, such punishment may simply redirect the anxiety to destructiveness or even self-mutilation (lick granuloma).
Therapy
Barking may be diminished by playing a radio, television, or even a continuously replaying a tape recording of the owner's voice. Also, companionship (second animal) while the owner is away may be a feasible alternative as a treatment. The last resort type treatment is the use of a surgical procedure known as vocal cordectomy (debarking). In certain instances where barking is a nuisance to neighbors, this may be a life-saving procedure.
This is the process of an animal eliminating in the owners absence. It is usually due to a separation disorder.
Therapy
This condition should be treated the same as other separation anxiety disorders ("Denning" and the use of appropriate anti-anxiety drugs). In this case the "Denning" technique uses the animals natural instinct to hold its elimination when in its den. In this procedure, the dog is caged for gradually decreasing time periods. First, the confinement is for all the time except for exercise, obedience training, and elimination, then caged while the owner is asleep or away. As the sessions progress, the confinement will only be while the owner is away. Eventually, the animal is allowed greater freedom of the house (in small increments).
Phobias include fear of loud noises (thunder, fire crackers, and guns) and fear of a specific person or place (veterinary clinics).
Therapy
Progressive desensitization is the treatment of choice: the dog is rewarded for allowing the feared person to approach without barking or growling, for allowing the noise to increase in intensity without running, or is gradually brought closer and then inside of the place it fears without barking or growling.
Grass eating is an eating problem often asked about by owners. This behavior will cause little harm, but it is usually followed by vomiting or diarrhea which may be a concern. Carnivores routinely consume vegetable matter in their natural diets. The dog's ancestors obtained it through the intestinal tracts of their prey (deer, rabbits, etc.). This partially digested vegetable matter provided fiber which acted as a laxative and provided some vitamins in their diet.
Domestic dogs have little opportunity to hunt and must depend on their owners to provide their food supply. When vegetable matter is insufficient in a puppy's diet, the puppy will seek out tender plants to chew on. If enough of this material is ingested it can cause vomiting or diarrhea.
Therapy
Therefore, a few cooked vegetables added to a puppy's diet will help stop plant eating without unbalancing the diet.
Coprophagy, stool eating, is another common complaint of owners. For young puppies, a certain amount of this is normal. In part, this behavior is probably one way in which young puppies explore their environment. The behavior is most likely to become a problem in puppies that do not receive enough exercise, live in a relatively barren environment, or are from toy breeds. Preventing access to dog feces is the treatment of choice.
Therapy
Taste aversion is another technique that can be tried. The aversion substance (meat tenderizer or some commercially available product) is placed on the dogs food and once digested, it imparts a foul taste to the fecal material. After receiving the foul taste a few times, the dog will usually leave the feces alone.
Young dogs mount during play. In older dogs, nonsexual mounting is probably a sign of dominance over another individual. For this reason, dogs should not be allowed to mount people. Once dominance over a pet is lost, numerous behavioral problems may arise. One must remember that mounting may be a sign of urinary infections or cancer (neoplasia).
Therapy-
The best treatment for these individuals is prevention as a youngster. If treatment measures need to be undertaken, then basic obedience training is a must. Once the behavior is displayed, you should make the individual obey the down-stay command (reward this good behavior). This is repeated until the behavior is no longer attempted.
Best of luck …………..and always be patient with your pet.
We hope that you will find this information helpful in your quest for better pet care. If you have any questions or comments, please call your veterinarian's office, or feel free to e-mail us.
David E. Hammett, DVM
and the Staff of All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, PC
