Mark Vette: The best thing you can do for pets when you go back to work

Pups need to be trained in good separation practice to avoid developing serious issues that will be more difficult to deal with later in life. Photo / Getty Images

• Animal behaviourist Mark Vette explains how to help your dog cope now you're back at work

We might not want to think about it but for a lot of us it's time to head back to work.
When preparing for that, think about preparing your pup or dog for that change too.

You may well have spent a lot more time with them over the Christmas holidays -
particularly if they're a new puppy - so that transition back to normal life and being more separated from you can be challenging for them (and you) so it needs to be well supported.

Puppies have a predisposition to be separated from their mother at around seven weeks. They are very accepting of this because their mother may need to go off hunting and the pups need to stay safely in the den hidden from predators. At this age they are also starting to integrate into the pack and to go off playing with other pups.

However if not done well separation anxiety can occur. This is an anxiety or phobia of separation. It manifests as vocal whining and barking problems, house soiling, and destructive behaviour.

Pups need to be trained in good separation practice to avoid developing serious issues that will be more difficult to deal with later in life.

What happens when they reach this anxious state? They are unable to learn and will go into what's known as "sympathetic arousal" where their pupils dilate, they start panting and salivating, pacing, whining and generally stressing out.

You may find your pet's separation anxiety starts manifesting as destructive behaviour, vocalisation, house soiling and escaping from your property.

At this point it might seem like whatever you're doing to help them doesn't work.

Common mistakes

The common mistake people make is thinking by having their puppy with them all the time, tending to their every whimper or cry, that they are helping them by keeping them happy, entertained and bonding with them.

In reality, you're teaching them to bond with you in the wrong way – particularly if they've joined your family over times like Christmas holidays and you haven't orchestrated some separation during this period.

What can you do?

To help prevent separation distress when you get home it's important to set up a crate or a puppy pen area. That way, right from the start, you're giving your puppy plenty of time away from you during the day, and at night also.

If there is another pup, toys or anything you can put in the pen or crate to help grab their attention, that will help a lot with the separation and distraction of you leaving them alone for periods of time.

When you've put them in their crate, tie a small string to the crate and give it a light tug when they whine. This gives them a little correction that stops them whining, and when done consistently enough they will learn to stop whining altogether.

The trick is to stop them winding themselves up into a non-learning state, so By stopping them whining you're avoiding them winding themselves up into a non-learning state, eliminating the chance of sympathetic arousal. We then teach them with systematic leaving experiences when they are young, leaving them for longer and longer periods as they remain calm and settled.

Keep them occupied as you leave the house

Those first few minutes when you've left home are the hardest for your pet. Employ these little tips that can help distract puppies and dogs as you head out the door.

1. Scatter a handful of dog biscuits around the pen, kennel or run.
2. Pack a rubber chew toy with dog roll that's hard for them to get out and will occupy them for a while.
3. Give them a bone with some meat on it – these can keep pups entertained for hours.

4. While toys are also useful, another dog is ideal because they have a playmate.
5. Taking them for a big walk or run before you leave them will encourage sleep when they have finished finding any food or treats you've left out for them.
6. Leaving the radio on or playing some music will provide them some comfort.
7. Give them access to what they consider a social area like the deck or sun room. However, we wouldn't recommend leaving them inside for long periods of time if you can avoid it.

Once they've been without you for a few hours they'll have mostly forgotten about the fear of separation and learn to deal with it a lot faster.

Still having trouble?

Some cases are more difficult and for video instruction on helping your dog with separation anxiety and techniques to teach all sorts of different commands and correct behavioural issues, check out Dog Zen at dogzen.com.

ABOUT DOG ZEN:

Mark Vette's Dog Zen is a comprehensive online training program and the culmination of Mark's life-work. It is a series of 30 videos, across five modules, which teach the viewer how to properly understand, communicate with, and train their dog.

Dog Zen teachings are firmly rooted in dog psychology and natural canine behaviour. The tagline "Amazing Results Lovingly" reflecta Mark's caring training methodology and the inherent central philosophy of zen.

Dog Zen teaches people how dogs' brains work, so they can correct any issue and have an easy and relaxed relationship with their dog.

Other issues Dog Zen can help you manage

- Aggression (towards other dogs or people)
- Hyperactivity
- Separation Anxiety
- Basic training: eg. How to sit, stay, heel
- Barking
- Bad recall
- Jumping up
- Phobias