{"id":1313,"date":"2019-10-21T01:33:21","date_gmt":"2019-10-20T22:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/giorgistaxideutis.gr\/?p=1313"},"modified":"2026-02-21T01:35:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T23:35:36","slug":"my-dog-causes-damage-when-im-away-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/giorgistaxideutis.gr\/?p=1313","title":{"rendered":"My Dog Causes Damage When I’m Away from Home\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hello! A while ago, I adopted a Labrador. Generally, he is a very happy and obedient dog, but when I’m away from home, he causes damage. He has eaten the sofa, the curtains, the rugs, he has chewed the furniture, and of course, his own toys. The thing is, he only does all this when I’m away from home. I really don’t know what to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The thing is, he only does all this when I’m away from home.” I will focus on this part, as I believe it’s the most crucial. Repeated damage during our absence is a strong indication of separation anxiety. Other signs include urination, defecation, crying, or howling during our absence. Anxiety is, in reality, a condition that is not always easy to manage or resolve.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why He Causes Damage<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Many times, the animal’s family talks about revenge. However, this is a mistake. The animal is not taking revenge; it simply panics at being left alone. And in its panic, it causes damage it wouldn’t do at other times. Practically, this means the bond with the people it lives with has surpassed normal and acceptable limits. It has been magnified in the dog’s mind to a level where their absence causes it to panic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why and Who is to Blame<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The reasons a dog might present with separation anxiety are:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • Genetic predisposition,<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Early separation from its mother when it was a puppy,<\/span><\/li>\n
  • A traumatic experience during the family’s absence (e.g., thunder, a burglary),<\/span><\/li>\n
  • A change in the animal’s routine (e.g., moving).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Usually, however, the main one responsible is the human. The family raised it without boundaries and with endless hugs and caresses, creating an unreasonable attachment. Lack of socialization, minimal walks, and a lack of occupation and an outlet for energy within the home also contribute to the creation of separation anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What to Do<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    First of all, we don’t get angry, we don’t hit, and we don’t shout. Psychological problems require love, understanding, and work. And a lot of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. The biggest part of training is prevention. We remove anything it could destroy and that could harm its health before we leave it alone.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Calm departures and returns without stress and haste.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Before we leave the house, we take it out for a walk. Urination has a calming effect on fear.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. When we leave, we give it a toy (e.g., a ball with holes) inside which we place what is most valuable to the dog in terms of treats (turkey, chicken, etc., always without skin and bones, without salt, pepper, or spices).<\/span><\/li>\n
    5. Relaxing music from YouTube for separation anxiety during our absence, flower essences (usually a combination is required), a pheromone product for dogs (I personally prefer the plug-in diffuser) can help reduce its anxiety and fear.<\/span><\/li>\n
    6. We put a special garment on it (Thundershirt) when we are away. It doesn’t work for all animals and requires gradual application.<\/span><\/li>\n
    7. We spend quality time with our dog, not just quantity time. Crate training, creative engagement inside the house, basic obedience exercises, walks, and socialization should be part of our daily schedule.<\/span><\/li>\n
    8. Diet change. There are foods on the market that, as they claim, help reduce the animal’s anxiety.<\/span><\/li>\n
    9. We reduce hugs and caresses. If we want to pet him, we give a command and pet him only after he executes it correctly.<\/span><\/li>\n
    10. Co-sleeping with the animal is strictly forbidden. However, it is phased out gradually, and the dog eventually moves and sleeps in its crate.<\/span><\/li>\n
    11. We directly contact a certified positive reinforcement trainer who, after taking the necessary history, will develop a detailed program for managing and solving the problem.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Here I must note that resolution depends not only on the animal but mainly on the family. The positive reinforcement trainer will create a program that will require the socialization and engagement of the animal, and most importantly, planned departures with a specific method and approach. Faithful adherence to the program is a must.<\/span><\/p>\n

      However, there are cases that unfortunately do not respond to the entire process. In such instances, a referral to a veterinarian and the use of medications, according to their instructions, is deemed necessary. But I must stress that NOT all veterinarians are specialized in behavior, so it is correct to approach the appropriate ones and not just any one we have in mind. You should also be aware that taking medication does not mean the automatic resolution of the problem or a change in the animal’s behavior. It clearly requires a change in the family’s behavior, the socialization of the animal, while the process of desensitization to departures remains necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Note that administering substances or medications on your own initiative (antidepressants, sedatives, hypnotics, etc.) or according to the advice of acquaintances and friends is strictly forbidden and poses serious risks to the animal’s health.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Giorgis\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Hello! A while ago, I adopted a Labrador. Generally, he is a very happy and obedient dog, but when I’m away from home, he causes damage. He has eaten the sofa, the curtains, the rugs, he has chewed the furniture, and of course, his own toys. The thing is, he only does all this when […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":834,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[246,6,260],"tags":[280],"class_list":["post-1313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-animal-welfare","category-articlesinenglish","category-dog-training-behavior","tag-my-dog-causes-damage-when-im-away-from-home"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t