---

HEALTH & CARE TIPS FOR DOGS
Anxiety Can Plague Pets, Too

Few families are prepared for how changes in the their schedule can affect their pet. Simple things as going on vacation, or a new after-school routine can throw off even a well-rounded pet.

"Despite their best intentions, many pet parents don't realize that changes in the family's daily routine can greatly affect their pets," said Kellyann Conway, PetsIncredible animal trainer and 2006 Comfort Zone Dog Trainer of the Year. "When kids go back to school, or adults take on a new work schedule, pets may lose a devoted playmate and experience a profound change that can sometimes lead to unwanted behaviors in your pooch."

The stress of suddenly being left alone can lead to destructive or anxiety-related behaviors in dogs. In fact, most unwanted behaviors will occur within the first 30 minutes of being left alone. Some of these behaviors include: digging and scratching at doors; howling and excessive barking; and house soiling, even in cases where a dog is already house trained.

Destructive behaviors can occur for a variety of reasons, and to ensure that they are a result of changes to schedules and loss of companionship rather than a medical issue, Conway recommends that pet parents asks themselves the following five questions:

• Does the behavior occur exclusively when the pet is left alone?
  
  
• Does your pet display frantic greetings upon the family's arrival back home?
  
  
• Does your pet react with excitement or depression as the family prepares to depart?
  
  
• Does your pet dislike spending time outside alone when the family is home?
  
  
• Does your pet follow members of the family from room to room when home?

If the answer is "yes" to any of these questions, the dog may be exhibiting these behaviors as a result of the family's new schedule. Once this has been determined, Conway recommends a few techniques that pet owners can utilize to condition their dogs to be alone.

To help reassure dogs during their separation from the family, many veterinarians recommend the use of pheromone therapy 30 days in advance of any anticipated schedule change. Pheromone therapy products such as Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) are available in an electric diffuser for the home and a spray that can be applied directly to the dog's bedding for immediate reassurance while the family is away. Clinical studies have shown that the use of pheromone therapy can reduce destructive behavior in dogs by as much as 91 percent.

Another technique is for pet parents to identify the "ready-to-leave" cues that are the possible source of stress for their dog. These cues can include putting on a jacket, picking up the keys or when the kids pack their backpacks. Once the cue is identified as the stress trigger, pet parents should repeat the action in front of their pet until he becomes comfortable with the action.

Conway also recommends implementing some of the following tips:

• Increase your dog's exercise to encourage sleep during the day.
  
  
• Keep arrival and departures very casual. Resist the temptation to immediately greet your pet, wait several minutes before calmly petting him/her.
  
  
• Leave an article of clothing with a member of the family's scent in your dog's bed or crate.
  
  
• Keep the radio on with some soft music or leave the television on to help drown out outside noises.
  
  
• Try pheromone therapy products such as Comfort Zone with D.A.P. to reassure your dog he is in a safe environment.
• Leave a variety of safe and even stuffable chew toys so your pet can stay entertained throughout the day.
  
  
• Consider crating your dog while the family is gone as some dogs are more comfortable in a den-like environment. Another option is to place him in a doggie-safe area, like a bathroom or laundry room. (Baby gates work great for this!)

"Employing these tips in conjunction with pheromone therapy can be a good way to reduce these undesirable behaviors that dogs can display," said Conway. "These methods ease the stress associated with the transition, not only for your pet, but for your entire family."

Source: Metro Creative

---