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| How Dogs Think - A Non-Verbal Link to Canine Communication |
Sniff Around for Dog Events!
Promote Your Events On Beantown Dogs.
Paw here to find out how.
Promote Your Events On Beantown Dogs.
Paw here to find out how.
By William E. Campbell
Have you ever seen a device or a program designed to correct a dog behavior problem
that explained how smart dogs are and how they think? Most plans or gadgets enable
owners, literally, to declare war on their hapless pets. Little or no implication is that dogs
don't think at all ... either they just react to external stimuli like robots , or respond
according to genetically controlled "drives." Dogs are rarely credited with the ability to
solve a problem mentally; to analyze a situation; imagine ways to manipulate or control
it, then take a pre-planned course of action toward a goal that was preconceived in the
dog's mind. In short, the dog is considered a real dummy, then treated like a dummy.
But this concept is not correct. Dogs are smart. They can, and usually do, think rings
around their owners. And they can do it because most owners have never learned how
to think like a dog.
Understanding Non-Verbal Thinking
We all wonder now and then what our dog is thinking. If we wonder aloud, perhaps when
mealtime is approaching and the dog is looking expectantly at us, we might say
something like, "I'll bet Tippy's thinking, 'When is my dinner going to be ready?' " In all
likelihood, Tippy isn't originating any thoughts about 'when dinner will be ready.' It is
more likely Tippy is imagining (or 'imaging' in his mind) the words and movements you
usually say and perform before getting his dinner; something like, "You want dinner,
Tippy?" All that tail wagging and those pleading eyes are aimed at stimulating you to
say it.
But, an inability to originate thoughts in a spoken language does not make dogs
unintelligent. Even people don't actively think in a spoken language unless they actively
'speak' it. For instance, during a short vacation to Japan, if you don't already speak the
language, you'll probably pick up the meaning of a few words. After a few natives look at
you in the morning and say "Ohio," you may eventually learn that they're not curious
about where you're from, but are wishing you a "Good Morning." Still, you won't think in
Japanese unless you live there a few months and actively speak it. Even a pet Akita will
never learn to speak or think in the native lingo because their voice boxes, tongues and
lips cannot formulate the sounds of Japanese ... or English, or French, etc, etc. The limit
of our dog's language-learning is the meaning of the sounds of certain words. Luckily,
dogs are quick to learn the sounds that are important to them.
With this in mind, when Tippy is prodding us about serving dinner, we'd be wise to
discard ideas about complete sentences being originated and thought about, and
replace them with the non-language concept of mental images. To illustrate this further;
when most Tippys are asking for dinner they actually look from their owners toward the
place where it is served, generally the kitchen.
Evidence of Imagery
Some very convincing research suggests that dogs think in sensory impressions; visual,
sound and odor images, etc. This is not to say that they sit around on quiet days
experiencing videos inside their brains. However, they likely share our ability to form and
experience in their minds certain images, odors and sounds. The scientific basis for this
idea came from Russia and was published in the US in 1973. A scientist name VS..
Rusinov1 was studying the electrophysiology of the brain and had several dogs wired
with brain wave equipment and radio transmitters. When the dogs were brought into the
lab from the kennels for experimental conditioning tests, the electroencephalograph
machine was turned on to record their brain wave patterns. This was done at the same
time each day, five days a week. One weekend, purely by accident, Rusinov brought a
group of visitors into the lab and turned on the EEG machine. Lo, the dog that was
normally schedule for tests during the week at that time was sending wave forms nearly
identical to his regular working patterns! When the testing time passed, the dogs' brain
waves soon returned to their normal 'at rest' forms. I never found any mention by
Rusinov as to whether the dogs out in the kennel were actually performing their
conditioned laboratory behaviorisms. Chances are they were not, but one thing is
almost sure; compared to human experience in similar types of studies, the dogs were
apparently experiencing them mentally2,3.
The late Polish scientist, Jerzi Konorski,3 taught dogs to salivate and expect food in
their trays when a light flickered. This was done regularly every few minutes. However,
after a few trials, the dogs started salivating and looking at the trays as if the food were
actually there, even though the light had not flickered. Konorski ventured that the dogs
were hallucinating about both the stimulus (the light) and the reward for salivating (the
food). One thing is sure: Something was going on in the dogs' minds that made them
behave as if they were happening.
Some Human Examples
Before going on with dogs, let us consider some facets of our own 'mind's eye,' as
suggested by Konorski. Imagine we have a date to meet a loved one at a busy
restaurant. We get there on time and sit at a table near the door. Fifteen minutes go by,
but no friend arrives. We begin to wonder if they are coming at all. We start watching
people approach the door. Pretty soon, people with similar features almost cause us to
call out to them. The more concerned and anxious we become, the more apt we are to
mistake strangers for our friend. When he or she finally arrives, the pleasure and relief
we feel is often mixed with mild displeasure. We are ambivalent ... we have mixed
emotions about meeting them in the future.
Almost everyone has mental imagery. Often, just the thought of a loved one conjures up
their image. This can apply to sounds, as well. Think about your favorite musical piece
and your can often hear it in your 'mind's ear.' These are positive images. They are
emotionally pleasant. At the other end of the scale, recalling a terrifying experience can
not only create its images, but sometime even make us shudder. This is an example of
negative, emotionally unpleasant images.
Back To Dogs
So it is with our dogs. When we are late getting home, or if they over-miss us because
we spoil them with attention and petting every time they demand it, they very likely worry
in images, too. They may well recall images of us and our activities, such as fluffing the
pillows on the sofa, putting away record albums, handling magazines and books, putting
on shoes just before leaving, sitting in a favorite armchair, etc. As a result of this, they
often engage in activities which involve them with these images: Pillows wind up on the
floor, albums or magazines are moved or chewed, a chair seat gets dug up, shoes are
brought out of the closet. If they can't have us there, they try to interact with things that
symbolize us.
If dogs really do store up and recall images of us and life's other objects and
experiences, it follows that we might use this to our mutual benefit. But since most
owners do not understand how dogs think, this imagery is where the seeds of most
behavior problems are sown. Dogs receive and recall conflicting images of owners and
many important experiences.
The Puppy's Dilemma
Consider the new puppy whose owners come home at regular times and join in an
ecstatically joyful greeting ceremony. This imagery is quickly ingrained, and the pup
begins to anticipate the experience, just Konorski's dogs hallucinated about the
flickering light and the food tray. However, as will happen in even the most well
regulated household, one day the owner is late. The puppy begins experiencing the
images of his tardy owners ... starts fretting, pacing. Well primed energies, ready for the
greeting ceremony, demand an outlet as the adrenaline starts pumping.
What's going on in its mind's eye or ear? It probably imagines hearing footsteps,
perhaps even sees the door open... which doesn't happen. But it should. This
introduces conflict between what it wants and expects and what is really happening.
Conflict creates frustration. Frustration produces anxiety, which triggers an even greater
adrenaline rush. The pup searches for something real to satisfy its desire to
'experience' the owner ... a magazine or book it saw the owner reading recently. It is rich
with the owner's scent. If it cannot have the owner there, it can at least have their
genuine odor or taste. So it sniffs, tastes, maybe even swallows parts of the article.
Naturally, this does not fully substitute for the whole owner, so the puppy's social
appetite is not really satisfied.
Finally, here comes the owner. The puppy innocently launches into its joyous,
semi-hysterical ritual. The owner starts to join in, but spies the pulverized magazine or
book. What's this? Naturally, if not wisely, the owner angrily grabs the pup, drags it to
the demolished object and scolds it, or slaps it's snout or rump, or both. The pet's
single-track mind is riveted on the owner. It yips, rolls over, or struggles vainly to
escape. Punishment concluded, the owner angrily picks up the remnants of the article
and storms to the trash basket.
Psychic Trauma
The net result of this is a totally confused pup with a conflicting set of images of its
owner. This sort of shock to the nervous system is called psychic trauma in both animals
and humans. A conflict has been instilled between the positive image of the owner
(happy Dr. Jekyll) and the negative (Mr. Homecoming Hyde). This creates frustration
and anxiety about homecomings, growing in severity if the scenario is repeated a few
times. (It is interesting that in many cases, owners tell us that the pup was fine for a day
or so after the first punishment. This may equate to the human experience of
repression, in which memory of the traumatic experience is suppressed, creating a sort
of 'backwards amnesia.') Even when this occurs, since the punishment was not
associated with the act of chewing up something, the puppy seeks out another article,
perhaps a shoe, and the cycle is repeated until the total relationship between owner
and dog is tainted with emotional ambivalence. Mixed feelings are eating away at the
positive qualities of their relationship. Negative emotional impressions may start to
dominate it.
At about this stage, many owners conclude that the punishment may not have been
severe enough. That's why the correction was not permanent. So they intensify it. The
relationship erodes further as weeks go by. Enough of this cascading negative effect
and the owner is ready take drastic action. The dog, now hyper-sensitive to its owner's
mood change, feels something is wrong. This often is reflected by new problems, such
as submissive wetting when the owner comes home or approaches the dog at other
times; off-schedule bowel movements or urination occur, etc.
Many pets act insecure, currying more favor when the owner is home, and hence,
missing the owner even more acutely when left alone. Frustration and anxiety build,
while the isolation-related, tension-relieving behavior mounts. The unwitting owner, who
originally may have thought the dog is 'getting even' for being left alone, begins to
consider it incorrigible.
HELP!
This is when outside help is often sought. A book is purchased. The veterinarian,
breeder, pet shop, a trainer or behaviorist may be consulted. If lucky, the owner gets
advice that brings genuine insight into pet/owner relationships and dog behavior. But,
more likely, they find traditional quick fixes and the dog winds up in a desensitization
program; gets dosed with anxiety relieving drugs or barbiturates; is stuck in a cramped
crate or cage all day, or banned to the yard or garage, or has its mouth stuffed with
chewed debris and taped shut for hours. Since none of these approaches deal with the
causes, the 'thinking dog' and the total relationship with its owners and the environment,
success is rare. The majority of these formerly precious pets find themselves rejected ...
relegated to the local pound for five to seven days, where the odds are 3-to-2 they'll
suffer society's 'ultimate solution'. But things don't have to be so grim, if the owners
learn some 'dog think.'
Applying Positive Imagery To Solve 'Separation Anxiety'
Dogs that misbehave when they are left alone are said to be suffering from separation
anxiety. The term is a neat buzz-phrase; almost everybody uses it. It sounds
professional. The trouble is, as a transplant from human psychiatry, it really doesn't
convey much useful information. However, the term is here, so we'll use it in its broadest
sense, which is; "a troubled feeling when left alone or apart from a certain person or
persons." This allows us to recommend a remedial behavioral program that deals with
the realities of the dog's total relationships. First, however, we must be sure that the
dog's veterinarian has ruled out the many physical/medical causes for anxiety, such as
thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism, pre-diabetes, encephalitis, allergies, hyperkinesis, etc.
etc.
The Program
Dogs that are unduly upset when left alone usually enjoy their owner's attention and
petting whenever they ask for (or demand it) when the people are at home. To apply the
imagery concept to this relationship, we could say the dog 'sees itself' as directing, or
leading the owner. When it wants some petting, it nudges or otherwise stimulates the
owner, and the owner complies. The dog wants out, whines at the door or at the owner,
and the door gets opened. Mealtime approaches, dog whines and prances, and dinner
gets served. When the owner goes from room to room, the dog is either ahead, leading
them, or close behind. This is the reality of their relationship, at least in the dog's mind.
But, when the owner leaves, against the dog's wishes, the pet is predictably upset, and
problem behavior occurs. This can involve barking, chewing, pacing, self-mutilation,
off-schedule bowel movements, urination around the house, etc.
The leadership problem can be turned about by presenting a different reality to the dog;
one in which the dog is pleasantly, but firmly and consistently told to perform some
simple act, such as 'sit' whenever it attempts to gain attention or affection, or whenever
the owner wants to give the dog some attention. All 'sits', or whatever command is used
('down' is a good one for highly bossy dogs) are praised happily as 3 to 5 seconds of
petting is awarded; then the dog is cheerfully released with an "OK" or "Free." (Free is a
good release because OK is too common a word.)
If a really bossy dog refuses to obey, and many do when they realize their relationship is
being turned around, simply ignore the situation, turn away and go on about some other
activity, ignoring the dog. Some dogs have refused to respond for as long as four days
before coming to terms with a follower relationship. However long it takes, after a few
days the dog's image of itself seems to evolve from one of giving direction to taking it
with compliance prior to being petted, getting dinner, going out the door, getting on the
couch, etc.
In moving around the house, whenever the dog forges ahead, simply about-turn and go
the other way. This must be repeated until the dog walks patiently behind or, better yet,
doesn't even follow. It is also helpful, but not vital, to practice down-stays of increasing
length during several evenings a week.
Images of Hyper-Emotionality
Most 'home alone' problem dogs get extremely emotional when their owners get home;
some even get excitable when regular departure times approach. To supplant these
emotionally over-stimulating images, sit quietly for about five minutes before leaving, in
the area where the dog will be left. No eye contact or speaking is allowed. Then, get up
and go without looking at or speaking to the pet.
At homecoming, enter quietly and ignore the dog until it quiets down completely. Then it
is greeted happily, but briefly, away from the door of arrival. This subdued routine soon
replaces the dog's highly emotional mental images of returns and departures with
calmness and serenity.
Here's the tough part for most all dog owners: When coming home the place is a mess!
Pillows have been chewed, or the chair is tattered again, or a pile of poop graces the
doorway, or some other problem is evident. If we keep in mind that the dog has in the
past suffered from conflicting images at homecoming, it is imperative that no emotion, or
even attention, should be directed at the remnants of the problem; such as chewed up
magazines, shoes, defecation, etc. Instead, after five minutes of ignoring the dog, it
should be greeted away from the scene of the misbehavior, and then pleasantly taken
outdoors or to another room and left alone while the mess is cleaned up. This avoids
creating new (or reinforcing old) conflicting images of emotional reactions to, or
interactions with, the debris, defecation, etc.
I have always called this 'the secret clean-up'. It has worked wonders as part of
programs ranging from digging in the yard to housetraining puppies. Just why it is such
an effective adjunct to correction programs remains to be satisfactorily explained. In the
meantime, we'll have to say that the lack of an image of the owner and the mess is more
beneficial to correction than is the image.
The Big Picture
So, there it is. Dogs think in images and we can mold and change their behavior in
hundreds of ways if we will think as they do. For instance, on the negative side, a set up
whereby a car screeches to a stop, horn blaring, just as a dog starts toward the street
from the sidewalk, then praising its retreat, is a valuable exercise in negative imagery.
However, it must be repeated until the dog avoids the street when cars are not present,
as well.
Teaching the 'panic' command to come needs the dog's name followed by a code word,
a sound image that is exclusive to coming when it is absolutely necessary, and praise
words or a vocal rhythm that is unique to that command, coupled with fast
hand-clapping while taking a crouched position. These combined, positive images can
create a dog that will dependably respond to your code word and come to your praise. It
is especially important to teach this command when the dog is out of sight, as well.
Have you ever seen a device or a program designed to correct a dog behavior problem
that explained how smart dogs are and how they think? Most plans or gadgets enable
owners, literally, to declare war on their hapless pets. Little or no implication is that dogs
don't think at all ... either they just react to external stimuli like robots , or respond
according to genetically controlled "drives." Dogs are rarely credited with the ability to
solve a problem mentally; to analyze a situation; imagine ways to manipulate or control
it, then take a pre-planned course of action toward a goal that was preconceived in the
dog's mind. In short, the dog is considered a real dummy, then treated like a dummy.
But this concept is not correct. Dogs are smart. They can, and usually do, think rings
around their owners. And they can do it because most owners have never learned how
to think like a dog.
Understanding Non-Verbal Thinking
We all wonder now and then what our dog is thinking. If we wonder aloud, perhaps when
mealtime is approaching and the dog is looking expectantly at us, we might say
something like, "I'll bet Tippy's thinking, 'When is my dinner going to be ready?' " In all
likelihood, Tippy isn't originating any thoughts about 'when dinner will be ready.' It is
more likely Tippy is imagining (or 'imaging' in his mind) the words and movements you
usually say and perform before getting his dinner; something like, "You want dinner,
Tippy?" All that tail wagging and those pleading eyes are aimed at stimulating you to
say it.
But, an inability to originate thoughts in a spoken language does not make dogs
unintelligent. Even people don't actively think in a spoken language unless they actively
'speak' it. For instance, during a short vacation to Japan, if you don't already speak the
language, you'll probably pick up the meaning of a few words. After a few natives look at
you in the morning and say "Ohio," you may eventually learn that they're not curious
about where you're from, but are wishing you a "Good Morning." Still, you won't think in
Japanese unless you live there a few months and actively speak it. Even a pet Akita will
never learn to speak or think in the native lingo because their voice boxes, tongues and
lips cannot formulate the sounds of Japanese ... or English, or French, etc, etc. The limit
of our dog's language-learning is the meaning of the sounds of certain words. Luckily,
dogs are quick to learn the sounds that are important to them.
With this in mind, when Tippy is prodding us about serving dinner, we'd be wise to
discard ideas about complete sentences being originated and thought about, and
replace them with the non-language concept of mental images. To illustrate this further;
when most Tippys are asking for dinner they actually look from their owners toward the
place where it is served, generally the kitchen.
Evidence of Imagery
Some very convincing research suggests that dogs think in sensory impressions; visual,
sound and odor images, etc. This is not to say that they sit around on quiet days
experiencing videos inside their brains. However, they likely share our ability to form and
experience in their minds certain images, odors and sounds. The scientific basis for this
idea came from Russia and was published in the US in 1973. A scientist name VS..
Rusinov1 was studying the electrophysiology of the brain and had several dogs wired
with brain wave equipment and radio transmitters. When the dogs were brought into the
lab from the kennels for experimental conditioning tests, the electroencephalograph
machine was turned on to record their brain wave patterns. This was done at the same
time each day, five days a week. One weekend, purely by accident, Rusinov brought a
group of visitors into the lab and turned on the EEG machine. Lo, the dog that was
normally schedule for tests during the week at that time was sending wave forms nearly
identical to his regular working patterns! When the testing time passed, the dogs' brain
waves soon returned to their normal 'at rest' forms. I never found any mention by
Rusinov as to whether the dogs out in the kennel were actually performing their
conditioned laboratory behaviorisms. Chances are they were not, but one thing is
almost sure; compared to human experience in similar types of studies, the dogs were
apparently experiencing them mentally2,3.
The late Polish scientist, Jerzi Konorski,3 taught dogs to salivate and expect food in
their trays when a light flickered. This was done regularly every few minutes. However,
after a few trials, the dogs started salivating and looking at the trays as if the food were
actually there, even though the light had not flickered. Konorski ventured that the dogs
were hallucinating about both the stimulus (the light) and the reward for salivating (the
food). One thing is sure: Something was going on in the dogs' minds that made them
behave as if they were happening.
Some Human Examples
Before going on with dogs, let us consider some facets of our own 'mind's eye,' as
suggested by Konorski. Imagine we have a date to meet a loved one at a busy
restaurant. We get there on time and sit at a table near the door. Fifteen minutes go by,
but no friend arrives. We begin to wonder if they are coming at all. We start watching
people approach the door. Pretty soon, people with similar features almost cause us to
call out to them. The more concerned and anxious we become, the more apt we are to
mistake strangers for our friend. When he or she finally arrives, the pleasure and relief
we feel is often mixed with mild displeasure. We are ambivalent ... we have mixed
emotions about meeting them in the future.
Almost everyone has mental imagery. Often, just the thought of a loved one conjures up
their image. This can apply to sounds, as well. Think about your favorite musical piece
and your can often hear it in your 'mind's ear.' These are positive images. They are
emotionally pleasant. At the other end of the scale, recalling a terrifying experience can
not only create its images, but sometime even make us shudder. This is an example of
negative, emotionally unpleasant images.
Back To Dogs
So it is with our dogs. When we are late getting home, or if they over-miss us because
we spoil them with attention and petting every time they demand it, they very likely worry
in images, too. They may well recall images of us and our activities, such as fluffing the
pillows on the sofa, putting away record albums, handling magazines and books, putting
on shoes just before leaving, sitting in a favorite armchair, etc. As a result of this, they
often engage in activities which involve them with these images: Pillows wind up on the
floor, albums or magazines are moved or chewed, a chair seat gets dug up, shoes are
brought out of the closet. If they can't have us there, they try to interact with things that
symbolize us.
If dogs really do store up and recall images of us and life's other objects and
experiences, it follows that we might use this to our mutual benefit. But since most
owners do not understand how dogs think, this imagery is where the seeds of most
behavior problems are sown. Dogs receive and recall conflicting images of owners and
many important experiences.
The Puppy's Dilemma
Consider the new puppy whose owners come home at regular times and join in an
ecstatically joyful greeting ceremony. This imagery is quickly ingrained, and the pup
begins to anticipate the experience, just Konorski's dogs hallucinated about the
flickering light and the food tray. However, as will happen in even the most well
regulated household, one day the owner is late. The puppy begins experiencing the
images of his tardy owners ... starts fretting, pacing. Well primed energies, ready for the
greeting ceremony, demand an outlet as the adrenaline starts pumping.
What's going on in its mind's eye or ear? It probably imagines hearing footsteps,
perhaps even sees the door open... which doesn't happen. But it should. This
introduces conflict between what it wants and expects and what is really happening.
Conflict creates frustration. Frustration produces anxiety, which triggers an even greater
adrenaline rush. The pup searches for something real to satisfy its desire to
'experience' the owner ... a magazine or book it saw the owner reading recently. It is rich
with the owner's scent. If it cannot have the owner there, it can at least have their
genuine odor or taste. So it sniffs, tastes, maybe even swallows parts of the article.
Naturally, this does not fully substitute for the whole owner, so the puppy's social
appetite is not really satisfied.
Finally, here comes the owner. The puppy innocently launches into its joyous,
semi-hysterical ritual. The owner starts to join in, but spies the pulverized magazine or
book. What's this? Naturally, if not wisely, the owner angrily grabs the pup, drags it to
the demolished object and scolds it, or slaps it's snout or rump, or both. The pet's
single-track mind is riveted on the owner. It yips, rolls over, or struggles vainly to
escape. Punishment concluded, the owner angrily picks up the remnants of the article
and storms to the trash basket.
Psychic Trauma
The net result of this is a totally confused pup with a conflicting set of images of its
owner. This sort of shock to the nervous system is called psychic trauma in both animals
and humans. A conflict has been instilled between the positive image of the owner
(happy Dr. Jekyll) and the negative (Mr. Homecoming Hyde). This creates frustration
and anxiety about homecomings, growing in severity if the scenario is repeated a few
times. (It is interesting that in many cases, owners tell us that the pup was fine for a day
or so after the first punishment. This may equate to the human experience of
repression, in which memory of the traumatic experience is suppressed, creating a sort
of 'backwards amnesia.') Even when this occurs, since the punishment was not
associated with the act of chewing up something, the puppy seeks out another article,
perhaps a shoe, and the cycle is repeated until the total relationship between owner
and dog is tainted with emotional ambivalence. Mixed feelings are eating away at the
positive qualities of their relationship. Negative emotional impressions may start to
dominate it.
At about this stage, many owners conclude that the punishment may not have been
severe enough. That's why the correction was not permanent. So they intensify it. The
relationship erodes further as weeks go by. Enough of this cascading negative effect
and the owner is ready take drastic action. The dog, now hyper-sensitive to its owner's
mood change, feels something is wrong. This often is reflected by new problems, such
as submissive wetting when the owner comes home or approaches the dog at other
times; off-schedule bowel movements or urination occur, etc.
Many pets act insecure, currying more favor when the owner is home, and hence,
missing the owner even more acutely when left alone. Frustration and anxiety build,
while the isolation-related, tension-relieving behavior mounts. The unwitting owner, who
originally may have thought the dog is 'getting even' for being left alone, begins to
consider it incorrigible.
HELP!
This is when outside help is often sought. A book is purchased. The veterinarian,
breeder, pet shop, a trainer or behaviorist may be consulted. If lucky, the owner gets
advice that brings genuine insight into pet/owner relationships and dog behavior. But,
more likely, they find traditional quick fixes and the dog winds up in a desensitization
program; gets dosed with anxiety relieving drugs or barbiturates; is stuck in a cramped
crate or cage all day, or banned to the yard or garage, or has its mouth stuffed with
chewed debris and taped shut for hours. Since none of these approaches deal with the
causes, the 'thinking dog' and the total relationship with its owners and the environment,
success is rare. The majority of these formerly precious pets find themselves rejected ...
relegated to the local pound for five to seven days, where the odds are 3-to-2 they'll
suffer society's 'ultimate solution'. But things don't have to be so grim, if the owners
learn some 'dog think.'
Applying Positive Imagery To Solve 'Separation Anxiety'
Dogs that misbehave when they are left alone are said to be suffering from separation
anxiety. The term is a neat buzz-phrase; almost everybody uses it. It sounds
professional. The trouble is, as a transplant from human psychiatry, it really doesn't
convey much useful information. However, the term is here, so we'll use it in its broadest
sense, which is; "a troubled feeling when left alone or apart from a certain person or
persons." This allows us to recommend a remedial behavioral program that deals with
the realities of the dog's total relationships. First, however, we must be sure that the
dog's veterinarian has ruled out the many physical/medical causes for anxiety, such as
thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism, pre-diabetes, encephalitis, allergies, hyperkinesis, etc.
etc.
The Program
Dogs that are unduly upset when left alone usually enjoy their owner's attention and
petting whenever they ask for (or demand it) when the people are at home. To apply the
imagery concept to this relationship, we could say the dog 'sees itself' as directing, or
leading the owner. When it wants some petting, it nudges or otherwise stimulates the
owner, and the owner complies. The dog wants out, whines at the door or at the owner,
and the door gets opened. Mealtime approaches, dog whines and prances, and dinner
gets served. When the owner goes from room to room, the dog is either ahead, leading
them, or close behind. This is the reality of their relationship, at least in the dog's mind.
But, when the owner leaves, against the dog's wishes, the pet is predictably upset, and
problem behavior occurs. This can involve barking, chewing, pacing, self-mutilation,
off-schedule bowel movements, urination around the house, etc.
The leadership problem can be turned about by presenting a different reality to the dog;
one in which the dog is pleasantly, but firmly and consistently told to perform some
simple act, such as 'sit' whenever it attempts to gain attention or affection, or whenever
the owner wants to give the dog some attention. All 'sits', or whatever command is used
('down' is a good one for highly bossy dogs) are praised happily as 3 to 5 seconds of
petting is awarded; then the dog is cheerfully released with an "OK" or "Free." (Free is a
good release because OK is too common a word.)
If a really bossy dog refuses to obey, and many do when they realize their relationship is
being turned around, simply ignore the situation, turn away and go on about some other
activity, ignoring the dog. Some dogs have refused to respond for as long as four days
before coming to terms with a follower relationship. However long it takes, after a few
days the dog's image of itself seems to evolve from one of giving direction to taking it
with compliance prior to being petted, getting dinner, going out the door, getting on the
couch, etc.
In moving around the house, whenever the dog forges ahead, simply about-turn and go
the other way. This must be repeated until the dog walks patiently behind or, better yet,
doesn't even follow. It is also helpful, but not vital, to practice down-stays of increasing
length during several evenings a week.
Images of Hyper-Emotionality
Most 'home alone' problem dogs get extremely emotional when their owners get home;
some even get excitable when regular departure times approach. To supplant these
emotionally over-stimulating images, sit quietly for about five minutes before leaving, in
the area where the dog will be left. No eye contact or speaking is allowed. Then, get up
and go without looking at or speaking to the pet.
At homecoming, enter quietly and ignore the dog until it quiets down completely. Then it
is greeted happily, but briefly, away from the door of arrival. This subdued routine soon
replaces the dog's highly emotional mental images of returns and departures with
calmness and serenity.
Here's the tough part for most all dog owners: When coming home the place is a mess!
Pillows have been chewed, or the chair is tattered again, or a pile of poop graces the
doorway, or some other problem is evident. If we keep in mind that the dog has in the
past suffered from conflicting images at homecoming, it is imperative that no emotion, or
even attention, should be directed at the remnants of the problem; such as chewed up
magazines, shoes, defecation, etc. Instead, after five minutes of ignoring the dog, it
should be greeted away from the scene of the misbehavior, and then pleasantly taken
outdoors or to another room and left alone while the mess is cleaned up. This avoids
creating new (or reinforcing old) conflicting images of emotional reactions to, or
interactions with, the debris, defecation, etc.
I have always called this 'the secret clean-up'. It has worked wonders as part of
programs ranging from digging in the yard to housetraining puppies. Just why it is such
an effective adjunct to correction programs remains to be satisfactorily explained. In the
meantime, we'll have to say that the lack of an image of the owner and the mess is more
beneficial to correction than is the image.
The Big Picture
So, there it is. Dogs think in images and we can mold and change their behavior in
hundreds of ways if we will think as they do. For instance, on the negative side, a set up
whereby a car screeches to a stop, horn blaring, just as a dog starts toward the street
from the sidewalk, then praising its retreat, is a valuable exercise in negative imagery.
However, it must be repeated until the dog avoids the street when cars are not present,
as well.
Teaching the 'panic' command to come needs the dog's name followed by a code word,
a sound image that is exclusive to coming when it is absolutely necessary, and praise
words or a vocal rhythm that is unique to that command, coupled with fast
hand-clapping while taking a crouched position. These combined, positive images can
create a dog that will dependably respond to your code word and come to your praise. It
is especially important to teach this command when the dog is out of sight, as well.
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