Are you afraid of anything? The kind of fear that makes your palms sweat and your heart pound, that keeps your scream stuck in your throat and your feet glued to the ground?
Most of us are at least a little afraid of something: bugs, snakes, heights, failure, things that go bump in the night. For some, though, the fear takes over and anxiety builds until it eventually disrupts the normal routines and pleasures of life.
Cue music. Enter: phobics.
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Joan Crawford was an infamous germophobe, a fact made famous by the psychotic hand-washing scene in the cult-classic biopic "Mommie Dearest." Author Anne Rice, creator of fictional vampires and creatures of the night, is, ironically, deathly afraid of the dark. Alfred Hitchcock, master of suspense, was a self-diagnosed ovophobe - - terrified of eggs. He once explained, "Blood is red, jolly. But egg yolk is yellow, revolting. They terrify me." Phobias -- they may sound funny, but they're no fun. And they aren't restricted to people. Our pets have them, too. In fact, many dogs share with Madonna an irrational fear of thunder -- brontophobia.
Separation anxiety, another phobia, is a real problem for some canines. This fear-based anxiety surfaces when the pup is left alone. While often genetic, it's possible for the dog's owner to trigger it through improper confinement, too much togetherness or overly dramatic departures.
Consider the case of Einstein: "Since he was a puppy he has slept in his crate without incident. In December, he started going crazy at night. He barks, cries, claws at his crate and does body slams against it. He literally moves the crate across the floor -- not an easy task for a 7-pound dog!"
Her reasons for confining her 10-year-old dog every night? I'll paraphrase: (1) In the event of an emergency, I need to know exactly where my dogs are so they can be rescued from fire, flood or whatever. (2) He might eliminate inside. (3) He'll think I gave in and that he's in charge.
Her attempts to solve the problem? "We have tried ignoring it. We have tried melatonin, then an herbal drop given by the vet and finally doggy downers."
Noticeably absent from the list: training.
Training would take care of reasons 2 and 3.
Reason No. 1? That's a people problem, not a dog problem.
Einstein's separation anxiety was brought on by improper confinement. Good news, though! If we can bring it out in our pups, we can also prevent it. To prevent separation anxiety, be aware of the following:
-- A dog confined behind a closed door may develop separation anxiety. If your pooch has to be confined, a wire crate with good visibility is the answer.
-- A dog never left alone when the owner is home may develop separation anxiety. Encourage your dog to get comfortable being alone in the house when you're there. Use a baby gate to confine him in a room you are not in, and correct -- don't punish -- him whenever he barks or whines. He'll get the message eventually.
-- A dog whose owner smothers him in hugs, kisses and "goodbye, my sweet little angel" before leaving reaches such heightened levels of excitement that, once the door closes and the silence sets in, he can't calm himself. Keep the goodbyes short, sweet and calm.
If, despite your efforts, separation anxiety still occurs, it's probably in his genes. Poor little guy. To him, the fear is very real. It's an emotional problem that manifests in physical behavior, and it's essential to diagnose it for what it is.
Look -- and listen -- for the symptoms. Excessive barking, whining and howling suggest a problem. Signs of attempted escape are physical evidence of it: digging under fences, gnawing through fences, chewing through doors and walls, even jumping through windows. Since the fear is so strong, the desire to get out and back to you can be extreme, destructive and dangerous.
After diagnosis comes rehabilitation. In severe cases, the only solution is to board him with a professional training kennel. There, he'll be dealt a variety of circumstances designed to build his confidence, until he's as comfortable in your absence as he is in your presence.
This is what you want -- a dog content in the understanding that even if you leave, you'll be back -- and he'll be OK.
What you don't want is a pile of prescriptions for your pooch. In April, Eli Lilly, the company behind Prozac, won FDA approval of its first doggie drug -- Reconcile. Targeted toward dogs with separation anxiety, Reconcile is in the same class of antidepressants as Prozac.
Doggie Valium, Clomicalm, Reconcile -- these merely mask the symptoms of a deeper problem. A handful of days at a kennel may be expensive, but 15 years of drugs add up.
Instead of medicating, try the following:
-- Up the amount of exercise he gets. A long walk before you leave will help.
-- Play a recording of your voice or soft music while you're out.
-- Leave the tube on Animal Planet!
Above all, keep in mind that separation anxiety causes your pooch even more suffering and distress than it does you. Don't get rid of the dog, get rid of the problem!
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