Behavior Problem or Problem Behavior?
When humans decide to live with another species, certain considerations must be made: the first being that this pet has a repertoire of species-specific and species-normal behaviors, some of which may be annoying or objectionable to the humans.
For example, many cat behaviors are understood but many still are not. Some of the more common problem behaviors in cats are house soiling, scratching, climbing and jumping up on things, howling, and hunting. By understanding the normal behaviors of cats, it may be easier to work out compromises so that the human and feline species can live together in harmony.
Separation Anxiety?
Classic signs of panic in dogs include distress vocalization (howling, yelping), elimination (“fight or flight” urination and/or defecation), attempts at escape that result in destruction (typically through the door by which their owners have left), and/or destruction of other locations or objects (digging at walls, chewing at furniture, etc). Dogs that feel panic at being left alone typically do so for one or more of the following reasons:
They are anxious at watching their owners leave (departure anxiety).
They are anxious if they find themselves alone (separation anxiety).
They are alone in a crate or other enclosure (confinement anxiety).