12-year-old neutered male Chow Chow often preferring to be alone. suddenly feels anxiety over my absence
I have a 12-year-old neutered male Chow Chow. He never has been playful or friendly, but he has been a good, quiet (if aloof) companion. He has had the run of the house and sleeps in the same room with me at night. When I am home, he doesn't necessarily stay in the same room with me, often preferring to be alone.
Although I have worked the same schedule the whole 12 years I have had him, he just recently has started exhibiting what my vet calls "separation anxiety." He has shredded the carpet and chewed furniture, window sills, molding and even has chewed/clawed clear through an exterior wall! The vet recommended a prescription called Clomicalm™, and although he has been taking it for four months, the bad behavior continues. I can't believe he suddenly feels anxiety over my absence, because it's nothing new, and even when I am home he doesn't cling by my side. I recently have begun to confine him to one room (a sun porch, with an outdoor view) while I am gone during the day. When I try to put him in there, he begins growling and trying to bite me. It kind of seems like my dog is starting to hate me.
Perhaps your dog is "anxious" about your absence, despite his socially aloof behavior when you are home. Even if he isn't a fawning, interactive companion, he is aware of your presence and absence. Although he hasn't shown concern or reaction to your absences in the past, the very fact your dog's destructive behavior occurs when you are away points to something going on in the way of great frustration or anxiety during "separation" from you. Possibly there is an environmental factor; maybe a neighbor has a pet that comes onto your property when you are not there, or your dog is hearing or seeing something or someone that causes him to displace his frustration into destructive behaviors. Territorial dogs may demonstrate behaviors in their owners' absences similar to behaviors performed by dogs suffering from separation anxiety.
Another thought is your dog's aging may be causing him to feel physical and/or emotional changes from the ways he has felt in the past. Some dogs do develop behavioral problems as they age; if you haven't already asked your veterinarian to do a comprehensive physical on your dog, I'd suggest it. If nothing seems wrong health-wise, don't rule out the emotional factors of aging. Because your dog hasn't responded to the medication prescribed, your vet may recommend another. Ask if any of the medications that have been developed for helping improve the quality of life for aging dogs might be appropriate.
Behaviorally, I suspect your dog has, to a great extent, been the sort that does things his way. The aggression you are describing, occurring when you attempt to confine him, is typical of a dominant dog. Dogs that are used to leading roles in relationship with their owners, or that never really have been asked by their owners to take any sort of following roles, may resist aggressively when pushed. If a dog is not subordinate in its general relationship with its owner, and the owner suddenly attempts to force the dog in any way, a dominant dog may defend itself aggressively. This sounds like what your dog is doing, and it doesn't mean your dog hates you; it simply indicates he doesn't like what you are asking of him, and he is letting you know.
The fact that he doesn't like being confined may stem from the possibility you've never required this of him before. But if he is suffering from separation anxiety, and on top of that if he is a dominant dog, your continued attempts to confine him are going to increase his frustration and possibly result in you being bitten. You really need to seek hands-on professional help right away. Start by trying to locate a veterinary behaviorist; ask your own vet to refer you, or contact the nearest school of veterinary medicine. A veterinary behaviorist will be able to evaluate your dog, make changes to your medication if needed and then recommend appropriate behavioral modification for reducing aggressiveness as well as the destructive behaviors.
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