The CALM® programme has been created by RCVS and EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine, Dr Sarah Heath BVSc PgCertVE Dip. ECAWBM(BM) CCAB FHEA FRCVS.
What is the CALM® behaviour
modification programme?
Why does my dog need behaviour training?
Your vet will instruct you on how to incorporate behavioural modification techniques to help your dog. The CALM® behaviour modification plan consists of four steps that can help your dog build confidence and gain a sense of security when alone. Behaviour modification is an essential component in the treatment of separation-related anxiety in dogs.
Behaviour modification is an essential component in the treatment of separation-related anxiety in dogs.
C | CREATE EMOTIONAL STABILITY
Consider the dog’s behaviour when they are not alone – being able to control their emotions helps them to cope with periods of solitude.
Anxiety is linked to low self-confidence. Work to increase the dog’s ability to make decisions for themselves and to cope with novelty and change as this helps to reduce their risk of anxiety.
Reward the dog for making good decisions and set them up to be successful. The caregiver can do this through encouraging the dog to play with toys on their own and through rewarding calm and settled behaviour.
Remember the caregiver should avoid interactions with the dog which they could perceive as being confrontational – avoid loud stern voices and do not punish behaviour that has happened in their absence.
A |ALTER EXPECTATION OF INTERACTION
We love to share our dog’s company and there is a temptation to spend every minute together when they are home. This can lead to unrealistic expectations of company and make the dog reliant on their caregiver to make them feel safe.
When puppies are very young it is important for them to spend some time alone with appropriate toys to keep them happy and occupied.
When dogs are uncertain they look for information and often try to obtain it from humans through behaviours such as leaning, pawing, nudging, sniffing and licking. If they become dependent on this information they are more likely to be anxious when their caregiver is not available.
Never reject or ignore these requests for help but respond in a calm and passive manner so that they help their dog to overcome their uncertainty.
Anxious dogs will also offer information through rolling on their back or dribbling urine.
Caregivers should not encourage information seeking or offering behaviours but reward their dog when they start to become more confident, such as when they stop licking their hand or the dog gets up after rolling on their back.
L |LEAVE PREDICTIVE SIGNALS WHICH GIVE CERTAINTY OF YOUR RETURN
Predictability and control help to reduce anxiety so it is important to enable the dog to predict the caregiver’s departure and return.
The caregiver should provide a visual signal that they are not available and remove this signal when they return.
Introduce this signal to the dog slowly and carefully using short periods of planned departure in a safe, comfortable and relaxing location. When the caregiver returns they should remove the signal before interacting with their dog.
If your dog is already distressed when you leave, it is helpful to minimise the times when this is necessary if possible.
If you must leave them, select a different location from the training safe place and leave a different visual signal.
M | MODIFY UNDERLYING EMOTIONAL HEALTH WHERE NECESSARY
Medication is only one part of the approach and must be used in conjunction with a behavioural modification programme.
The use of predictive signals:
During the “L” part of the programme which stands for “Leave predictive signals which give certainty of return” a multi-step process is followed.
Part 1
Acclimatising your dog to recognise a visual signal that you are leaving:
• Pick a location to leave your dog where they will be comfortable and limits any injuries that they may do to themselves in your absence (e.g. if they were to chew cables).
• An obvious visual signal, e.g. a piece of white card on the door, is pinned up immediately prior to departure and removed immediately on return
• This tells the dog that you are going out.
• If the dog is struggling with separations, try to keep these departures to a minimum while undertaking this behavioural modification plan, as the anxiety felt during these episodes will build.
Top Tip
Make sure that you set your dog up for success so leave them with suitable dog safe toys to keep them occupied, a comfortable place to rest and make sure that the signal itself could not hurt your dog (for example if they ate it). It is also very important to set the signal at an appropriate height to ensure it can be easily seen by the dog.
Part 2
Acclimatising your dog to be relaxed while you are not engaging with them and progressing this to short departures.
This is called the ‘Invisible Dog’ process, as you will use a visual signal to let your dog know they are ‘invisible’ to you. Your dog will associate the signal object with being settled while receiving no attention from you but will be reassured by your physical presence. This signal object will then be
used to ensure your dog knows you will return during actual departures.
Firstly choose a location for this training that is different to the location used for real departures in part 1. You will also need to choose a visible object as a signal (different to what is used in part 1), something striking like a large ornament is best.
Secondly undertake the following steps:
- Engage with your dog in a low-key way, talking to them and stroking
- Place the signal object in your dog’s direct view on a table or chair – your dog is now ‘invisible’
- Stop engaging with your dog and undertake another activity e.g. read a book.
- After a short time, remove the signal object and re-engage with your dog.
- Ensure that the period of time chosen is one that your dog will tolerate without seeking attention from you, and gradually build this up to longer and longer periods
- If possible do this several times per day for increasing lengths of time, from a few seconds to several minutes.
- Initially remain in the room with your dog but begin to incorporate short departures to another room while dog is ‘invisible’
- Gradually increase length of departures
- When your dog is settled with this phase including longer periods with you out of the room you can move onto the next stage
Part 3
Transfer this ‘invisible dog’ signal object to the actual departure room and use this as the new leaving signal. The presence of this object is associated with absences the dog can manage. They will feel reassured and confident that you will return. This object can now be substituted for the signal previously used in the actual departure room, (e.g. piece of white card on the door)