What my dog does when I leave home

[NKat]

This is so sad / sweet! http://youtu.be/O_J-XwrYSzw

[Catherine]

The poor dog is so distressed when he is left alone. I really feel for him. He probably fears that his person will never come back. I am sure he can't tell the difference between an hour and many hours. Once he realizes that he is alone every moment is an eternity.

[Tobi]

Aww! Poor doggy! He/she is calling to him, trying to get his scent on the blankets...feels so separated! We think nothing of leaving them, but to them it's upsetting.

[Catherine]

Dog must seem so abandoned when we go out. What we need is a two way radio/ baby monitor or something so we can talk to our pets.

I once took over caring for my neighbours two cats during a family emergency. She didn't make it home for a month. She had no suitcase or anything to indicate a trip so her cats were pretty upset at first. I got her on the phone and had her talk to them and they calmed down.

I am sure that dog would do well with hearing the owners voice. Even a tape of him talking would help.

[Tobi]

A tape of him talking sounds like quite a good idea. I wonder if anyone has ever tried that with a dog? They could play a tape low volume, in another room maybe -on a loop.

Especially when Misty first came to live with me, I hated leaving her alone. I had to work afternoons. I had no choice. She had settled and was relaxed at home by then, but I still wasn't quite sure how she was when I wasn't there. I had no surveillance equipment.
What I did was I observed what her favourite music was. I tried her with all sorts of different music. It ended up she preferred classical, like me! (but she liked different tunes that I hadn't been too keen on before!)
Anyway, I played that music when we were together, and we'd either share affection, or dance and play. I thought it might get her to associate those sounds with happiness.
So I left the classical station on whenever I had to leave. I sneaked a peek through the window once, and she seemed okay. Not looking terribly happy, but lying still on the couch, listening to the music. I waited a while then looked again, and there she was -just the same. It was as if she hated being left alone but could accept it all right.
I also made sure she went for a good long walk first, so she might nap. And we certainly went for one as soon as I got back!

[Catherine]

I think the tape would be a good idea. I know they have special DVDs that you can play on your TV that are done special to amuse cats or dogs.
I like the music idea. Interesting that Misty influenced your taste in Music. I think animals like music and it does help them to pass the time. Sitting alone in silence is boring even for a dog. I am sure there are many ways to ease the boredom and anxiety. Clearly some dogs feel actual abandonment. They must fear that there person will not come back.

Could they be "trained" to know that the person will return. The person could make a big show of saying goodbye, stay away a short time and then make a big show out of returning. Having a treat upon return would be good. Then the length of the absence could be increased. The dog would get into a rhythm of separation and return. The treat would reinforce the return part. It might require a bit of effort, but it would be worth it to prevent such anxiety.

[Tobi]

Some people put the TV on for a dog. Many dogs do watch TV. That can help, if someone has the kind of dog who likes it.

A special blanket or jacket with the caretaker's scent on it could help too. But the problem is -not many people like their own scent, and the jacket is more likely to smell of detergent or perfume!
A way around that is to wear or sleep in a certain T shirt, for a few days, and not to wash it. Dogs like natural scents. It is their caretaker's 'signature'.

Treating them when returning home...maybe.
In the wild (well certainly with wolves) when a senior pack member has been gone for some time, and returns to the pups, it always brings food. (Usually regurgitated! yikes!!) I am not saying we should go that far!!
But pups are used to being left in the den during a parent's hunting trip. Mind you, they are not alone, and are together. In a way with our domestication of them, we are keeping them in 'puppyhood' and few dogs live as adult dogs psychologically.

Sometimes another companion animal helps too, like a cat (if the dog gets on with cats) or another dog.

My treat to Misty was just getting her out of the house for a run around and a game, then a few miles' walk together.

[AnimalFamily]

I agree, if possible, a companion pet would help tremendously.
Our Payne is an indoor/outdoor dog. If she ever gets left alone in the house, she literally flips out. So when we leave she is always outside. I think being out with the chickens, cat, goats, etc. helps keep her mind occupied.
If one of us leaves, we figured out that she will lie in the path by the back door and watch the road until whoever is gone returns.
When we are all gone and we reutrn that is when all #$@% breaks loose. She is right at that car door going nuts...'talking' the whole time. I thinks she's telling us "Don't EVER leave me again". She is so excited we are home and we let her know we are so very excited to BE home and be back with her.

[Catherine]

I always like to have pets in groups. They seem to do better.

A dog alone is a sad sight. I think the doggie day cares are a good solution for city people. Our dogs are not allowed to be outside and off the leash.

Even a happy dog like Payne feels abandoned.

I can see why you wouldn't leave Misty.

The happiest dog I know was born at the reptile centre. Her mother died last year, but Daisy is never alone. She has her own person, but we all love her and give her attention. She has been surrounded by loving people all her life. I wish every dog could be happy and secure like that.

[Tobi]

Yes they do have a deep need to belong to a group, or family unit. They can be happy with one person so long as they socialise with others. But it is scary for them to be all on their own because it is so unnatural. I think doing this to a dog too often is damaging to it emotionally.
In 2007 I started my own online business because I had to find something to do from home, as I didn't want to keep leaving Misty all afternoon. It was risky, and I was no better off financially at all, and it meant I often worked late into the night when Misty was asleep in bed. But at least I didn't have to leave her for hours every day, and that was a very happy solution.
But I know not everyone with a dog would be able to do that.
It helps of course, when there are other family members coming and going throughout the day. Or a trusted and reliable pet sitter/dog walker.