Bindi Teaching ch 14

 

CHAPTER 14.

LEAVE ME ALONE

URBAN DESERTION

Dogs don’t need us.  At the very base of every canine soul is a world-wise cunning hunter and survivor.  Well, perhaps that is a bit overstating the case, we have sort of softened their survival instincts and made them a bit dependent on us.

The reality is, that left to their own devices they do have rather good survival and coping tools. This is a good thing as the demands of our urban existence means it is highly likely that we will need to leave our pups unattended and alone for some time periods.  

There is a thing called guilt and a thing called separation anxiety.  Both these things are not real to the pup and are only feelings, they are not real things.

GUILT.  

This is an emotion experienced by owners who feel the obligation of dog ownership includes permanent presence with the dog.  This is not only falsely based emotion but totally unrealistic. 

One of the greatest gifts we can give our pooch is time alone.  I have mentioned before safe places and calm times.  If a pup has been fed, has access to water, safe rest places, is given well timed toilet breaks or access to open space it will be happy to let you go about your business away for many many hours. 

If pup is without company then your time together becomes more valuable to both of you but requires no more from either of you than if you were together all day. 

Left alone, pup will either go into a peaceful doggy torpor until you return or will happily interact with its domain, amuse itself and rest. 

To teach this relaxed alone state you are simply required to leave the pup alone for short periods and then return, with a calm, even a nonchalant greeting and gentle praise. 

You should start doing this by leaving pup in a room and returning after a few seconds, quietly acknowledging its presence on your return and over time, vary the period you are apart always calmly acknowledging the pup on your return.  If a very young pup, you may like to leave your old sock or an old worn T-shirt with your scent in pup’s safe place.  Over time, you can leave the home without pup and again return at varying times repeating the above practices.  Pup will learn and understand that you will always return and it will be pleasant when you do.

Do not feel guilty about leaving pup alone, pups are fine with their own company and your absence provides a no-action-required time for pooch.  You have taken the time to show pup you always return, if pup is fed watered and toileted, has some optional activity for play provided then you have no reason for guilt. 

 

 

SEPARATION ANXIETY

Canines by nature will rest for more hours than they are active. If your absences are gradually increased in the daily routine, pup will not be anxious.  Urban dogs do adapt to routine and if the routine includes some peaceful quiet hours alone then that will be their normal urban routine.

My urban pooches have all been left home alone for at least 8 hours a day.  Their habits varied, the Great Danes just turned off and lazed away the day, my mongrel Shepherd used to visit the local kindergarten kids for morning tea, the retailers for conversation and occasional treats and then returned home to be there for my return.  I was unaware of this for years until the kindergarten kids grew up and started to greet my lad in the street with great familiarity so the story was exposed and the secret escape tunnel discovered. 

Every dog will have its own solution to your not being there, you may well be the most important thing in its life but, really, pup can cope if given the tools.

Even if you do leave pup alone it is not necessary to jamb hours of play, training and walks into the few remaining hours of your day.  What is critical is your morning and evening time together is enjoyable, rewarding and calm.  Most important is that you do not have separation anxiety worrying unnecessarily about your pup resting at home.  

I do accept that circumstances do not always allow for sufficient training time to pace the period of separation.  If a sudden requirement takes you away it is up to you as a loving owner to provide pup with some interim support.  That may be a neighbour, friend or family member providing human contact at the appropriate time.  Not always do things go to plan but we do have the tools and the ability to solve these problems.

Gentle persistence, calm caring and loving rewards will always resolve.