I have a confession…
I suffer from separation anxiety. I’m not proud of it, but my little mental problem does manifest itself in a couple very specific ways.
When my humans leave, they usually close the master bedroom door. I can’t open doors yet (although I do hit them with my nose when I want them opened.) But if I have access to the master bedroom when I’ve been left alone, my go-to destinations are pillows and garbage.
Not just any garbage, but the little can in the bathroom. No scrap is left untouched… it’s quite the scene when the humans come home.
The other manifestation of my anxiety is a little more disturbing and I hesitate to admit it. Plus, all the wackos on this here internet don’t make it easy to be honest about some behaviors. (My Foot-licker! post is a little too popular in some searches, if you get my meaning.)
Okay, here it goes: I jump on the big bed and hump the pillows. There I said it (or wrote it) and that’s all I’m going to say about it. Admitting it is the first step, right?
Anyway, some dogs have separation anxiety and some dogs just misbehave. You can tell if it’s true separation anxiety, if your dog exhibits her destructive behavior within the first 20 minutes of your departure. I think I check that master bedroom door as soon as I hear the car drive away without me in it.
In my case, simply closing the door will prevent me from compromising pillows and inhaling bath tissues. Two good suggestions for keeping your dog happy when she’s home alone are these: keep her tired and/or keep her busy. I’m sure you can figure out the tired part. To keep her busy, maybe supply a Kong or something similar that can hide a treat and make her work for her reward.
Please don’t judge me… everybody’s got “a thing” – this is mine.
Well, golly, I feel SO much better now.
