‘Tis the winter of Poochie’s discontent

The study examined 24 dogs at two UK animal shelters. First, each dog was assessed to see whether it suffered from separation anxiety – behaviour such as barking or scratching at the door when left alone.

They found that a dog’s temperament coincided with separation from his owner.

Setting the stage

Dogs were placed in isolated settings and their reactions observed — many barked, jumped on furniture and scratched at the door. Each dog was then trained to expect that a bowl, placed at one location in a room, would contain food. A second food bowl on the other side of the room was always empty. The researchers then placed bowls in neutral locations around the room.

Once the dogs made the connection between the location and the food, the researchers mixed things up. They placed an empty bowl at random locations between the food and non-food areas.

Then they watched the dogs’ approach the bowls.

Oscar the optimist, give me a tail wag

Dogs that sprinted to the neutral bowls, obviously expecting a meal were labeled optimists. It was also noted that the animals that viewed the bowl as half-full were generally calmer when left alone. They had no doubts that their owners would return, while the pessimists assumed they have been abandoned.

Poochie the Pessimist? please raise your paw

A slower approach to the bowl indicated that these dogs – the pessimists – assumed there wouldn’t be any food. Dogs with a bowl-half-empty attitude are more likely to bark, yowl and chew when left alone according to the study. Pessimists are more prone to separation anxiety disorders— going to the bathroom inside, barking, and destroying items around the house.

The message to dog owners

The study carries an important message for dog owners. Instead of punishing a dog that pees in the house or chews up a favorite pair of shoes, pet experts suggest working with an animal therapist. Dogs that express serious anxiety when alone may need treatment, as it could be a sign of unhappiness and instability.