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When Midas was left alone, the malamute–husky mix tried to escape, damaged his surroundings and sometimes grabbed a person’s clothing or hand to stop them leaving. Those behaviors had already contributed to returned adoptions. His eventual relationship with Lou did not begin with a quick fix. It grew through specialist help, short practice departures, careful observation and Lou’s willingness to change her own expectations.
Best Friends Animal Society’s September 28, 2022 story by Sarah Thornton presents Midas and Lou as one adoption experience, not a clinical case study or a promise that every anxious dog will progress in the same way. It shows what attentive, gradual support looked like for this particular dog, and how understanding the emotion behind behavior became central to their life together.
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Who Midas was before he came home
At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Midas was energetic and intensely social. His difficulty appeared most sharply when people left. He could try to escape and damage objects around him, and he sometimes attempted to keep people from going by grabbing clothing or a hand. The story reports that these problems played a role in earlier adoptions ending with his return.
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How Lou decided to adopt him
Lou first met Midas while volunteering at the sanctuary. She was struck by his intelligence and by how well he responded when she made herself more interesting than the distractions around him. Additional visits, including a sleepover, gave her more information than a single meeting could. She still had practical concerns: Midas was large, the timing was complicated and she was planning a move.
She chose adoption after weighing those concerns against what she had learned about him. The decision was not based on an assumption that affection alone would change his behavior. It was a commitment to keep learning what made him feel safe and to organize daily life around that information.
Preparation happened before the move
Lou looked for a separation-anxiety specialist near her in California before bringing Midas home. She also arranged daytime support so he would not be alone for long stretches while she worked with him. That preparation mattered because alone-time practice is difficult to conduct if a dog is repeatedly pushed beyond what he can handle.
For a household considering a similar adoption, the useful lesson is planning rather than a particular service or product. Identify who can provide company, exercise or a break during the day; find a behavior professional with appropriate credentials; and consider how a move, work schedule or housing rules may affect the dog. A plan that prevents long, unavoidable absences gives the dog and the people more room to proceed gradually.
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Midas’s fears extended beyond being alone
Lou learned that Midas was also afraid of loud noises, busy streets, trains, darkness and assertive dogs. These fears formed a broader picture than “a dog that misbehaves when his person leaves.” His reactions could make ordinary walks and household transitions challenging.
With a behavioral consultant, Lou watched for small changes in his responses around other dogs. Midas could notice a dog, look back to Lou for a treat and then move away calmly. The sequence did not require him to greet the other dog or remain close to a frightening situation. It gave him a way to orient toward a trusted person and leave at a manageable distance.
That pattern illustrates why context matters. Destruction, escape attempts or clinging can reflect fear, frustration, arousal or several factors at once. The Best Friends story does not independently diagnose Midas, and a reader should not diagnose a dog from one behavior. A veterinarian or qualified behavior professional can help assess medical, environmental and behavioral contributors.
What gradual alone-time practice looked like
Lou practiced departures every day in very small increments. She might step outside or go to the garage, then return. The point was to rehearse leaving and coming back without turning each exercise into a long test of endurance.
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She installed cameras that allowed her to watch Midas on her phone. Observation helped her see what happened after she disappeared, rather than guessing from damage found later. At the time described in the 2022 story, Lou said Midas could be alone for up to 35 minutes after a warmup, with additions of a few minutes each week.
That 35-minute figure belongs to Lou’s account of Midas at publication. It is not a benchmark, a recommended starting duration or a prediction for another dog. Some dogs may need much shorter absences; some may require a different plan or professional treatment. Increasing time only when the individual dog remains comfortable is more important than reaching a particular number.
A simple observation loop
- Set up the environment. Remove obvious escape hazards and arrange the support that keeps unavoidable absences short while training is under way.
- Make a brief departure. Lou used actions such as stepping outside or going to the garage. The duration should be one the dog can tolerate, not the longest absence a person hopes to achieve.
- Watch what happens. A camera can show pacing, vocalizing, attempts to escape, settling or other changes that are invisible from outside the door.
- Return and record. Note the dog’s behavior and the circumstances. If distress appears, the next repetition may need to be shorter or redesigned with professional guidance.
- Increase cautiously. Lou described adding only a few minutes each week as Midas progressed. Her pace should not be copied as a universal schedule.
Rewards changed as Midas changed
Lou kept a variety of rewards available because Midas’s preferences were not fixed. A reward that worked one day might be less interesting another day, especially when the environment was more difficult. Offering choices let her respond to his current motivation instead of insisting on one treat or one routine.
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- Donut Design for Calming Rest:The signature donut dog bed shape provides a soothing, secure space for pets, while the raised edge supports the head and neck. Its plush filling ensures long-lasting comfort, making this calming dog bed ideal for curl-up sleepers and anxious pets alike.
- Sweet Daydreams, Sounder Nights:From lazy afternoon naps to overnight snoozes, this calming dog bed surrounds your pet in soft, supportive comfort. The round bed design helps them feel safe and secure, encouraging deeper, more restful sleep around the clock.
- Pet-Safe & Thoughtful Details:Crafted with Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX(24.HCN.46956) certified materials, this calming dog bed is made from tested-safe fabrics gentle on pets. The sturdy, non-slip base keeps the round pet bed in place, so your furry friend can hop in and out with comfort.
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Lou’s reflection captures the relationship she was building: “Because really, it’s not about his behavior. It’s the reason for that behavior. What is he feeling? What is he afraid of? And once he tells me about those emotions, then we’ll work together to help him feel more secure.” In the article, this is Lou’s perspective as Midas’s adopter, not a veterinary directive.
What the story can—and cannot—teach other adopters
Useful lessons supported by Midas’s experience
- Look beyond the incident. Midas’s alone-time distress existed alongside high energy, social intensity and several environmental fears.
- Prepare support before adoption. Lou located a specialist and organized daytime help before Midas moved in.
- Train in small, observable steps. Short departures, returns and camera monitoring gave her information for the next decision.
- Adjust to the individual. Lou changed rewards, walking expectations and her own assumptions as Midas’s comfort changed.
- Measure progress by security, not perfection. Calmly noticing a dog and looking back to Lou was meaningful progress even though it did not make every situation easy.
Claims the story does not support
- It does not establish how common separation-related distress is among dogs; the article provides no population statistic.
- It does not show that 35 minutes is a normal or appropriate target.
- It does not prove that a camera, a particular cue or a treat will treat anxiety.
- It does not show that every dog with destructive behavior has separation anxiety.
- It does not replace a veterinary assessment, especially when distress is severe, sudden or accompanied by injury risk.
Veterinary behavior guidance for readers facing similar problems
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) guidance by veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kelly Ballantyne recommends using video observation to learn what a dog does when home alone. It suggests consulting a veterinary behaviorist or a veterinarian with a behavior interest when separation anxiety is suspected. Those are general recommendations, separate from the plan Lou used with Midas.
AVSAB also identifies an interactive, durable toy as one possible support. A Kong with peanut butter is the example named in its guidance, but the Best Friends story does not say Midas used one. An enrichment item may occupy a dog that is able to eat and engage; it is not a cure and should not be treated as a substitute for behavior care.
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Do not punish destruction, soiling or other distress-related behavior after the fact. AVSAB’s guidance cautions against punishment because it can add fear without teaching the dog how to cope with being alone. If a dog is trying to break through doors, injuring himself, refusing food or escalating rapidly, arrange professional help rather than extending practice sessions.
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- 【HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS】The pet calming dog bed is made of durable luxurious faux fur. The interior is filled with super-soft environmentally friendly PP cotton. It has always provided soft support for the pet, which relieves the pet muscle and joint pain
- 【COMFORTABLE SLEEP】This dog donut cuddler bed has a circular design, surrounded by bulges around the cat, which is very suitable for pets who like to curl up. The dog round bed provides a full sense of security for your pet.
- 【SUITABLE SIZE】Three sizes are available for your choice. We recommend a 20-inch dog bed for small dogs (up to 11 pounds), a 24-inch dog round bed (up to 25 pounds), and a 27-inch dog calming bed (up to 35 pounds), it is recommended that you measure the size of your pet before buying.
- 【MULTIFUNCTIONAL BOTTOM】 The cat and dog cushion bed has an anti-slip PVC dot fabric bottom. The anti-slip design at the bottom of the fluffy dog bed can provide better stability, and your dog can play and rest securely in the calming dog bed.
- 【EASY TO CARE】The anti-anxiety dog bed can be machine washed. You only need to put the entire cat and dog bed in the washing machine and dry it at low heat after washing. It is recommended to wash and dry separately. Your dog will regain a softer dog calming bed.Notice: Please leave it for a while after receiving the calming dog bed, it will return to shape after shaking.
AVSAB’s public position-statement page identifies its 2021 Humane Dog Training Position Statement as current and recommends reward-based training for behavior problems. Reward-based work still requires boundaries, management and safety planning; it does not mean ignoring behavior that could harm the dog or another animal.
Choosing the right kind of support
Several tools and services may appear in advice about an anxious dog, but they serve different purposes. They are not equivalent treatments.
| Support | What it can do | What it cannot establish or replace |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor camera with phone app | Shows behavior during an absence, including whether the dog settles, paces, vocalizes or attempts escape. | It does not treat anxiety, diagnose a condition or make a long absence safe. |
| Interactive durable treat toy | May provide enrichment for a dog willing and able to eat while alone. AVSAB lists this as one possible support. | It is not a cure, and the Best Friends account does not report that Midas used one. |
| Veterinary behaviorist or veterinarian with behavior interest | Can assess possible medical and behavioral factors and help design an individualized plan. | No professional can promise that one dog will follow Midas’s timeline or response. |
| Behavior consultant | May help interpret triggers and practice skills, as the consultant did with Lou and Midas. | Credentials and scope vary; severe cases may require veterinary involvement. |
A practical, safety-first starting plan
If your dog becomes distressed when you leave, begin with information and management rather than a long test.
- Arrange a veterinary conversation. Describe the behavior, when it occurs, how quickly it starts and any injuries, escape attempts, appetite changes or house-soiling. Ask whether a veterinary behavior referral is appropriate.
- Record a normal absence. Use a camera if available and legal in your home. Observe the first minutes as well as the later period; the pattern may change over time.
- Prevent avoidable overload. Use family, a sitter, daycare or another suitable arrangement to reduce long absences while a plan is being developed. Choose support based on the dog’s comfort and safety, not convenience alone.
- Identify triggers and thresholds. Note departures, sounds, darkness, traffic, trains, unfamiliar dogs or other conditions that change the response. Midas’s experience shows that alone-time distress may coexist with outside fears.
- Practice below the distress threshold. Start with a departure the dog can tolerate, return, and review the camera footage. Keep a simple log so decisions are based on observed behavior.
- Use reward-based teaching. Reinforce calm orientation, check-ins and other behaviors your professional recommends. Keep reward options flexible if the dog’s preferences vary.
- Change one variable at a time. Do not lengthen the absence, add a new environment and remove daytime support simultaneously. If distress rises, shorten the exercise and contact the professional guiding you.
The relationship was part of the progress
Midas’s gains were not presented as a straight line from “problem dog” to “fixed dog.” Lou learned to notice what he feared, to make herself more engaging than distractions and to accept that his preferences could change. Her work included logistics, training, observation and self-examination.
Lou calls Midas “a life lesson guy. He lives in the moment, and he is teaching me to do the same.” In context, the line describes the emotional theme of their adoption: progress came from paying attention to the dog in front of her rather than forcing him into a preset timetable.
For an adopter living with similar behavior, the most responsible goal is not to reproduce Midas’s 35-minute milestone. It is to understand what your dog is communicating, reduce unsafe exposure, obtain appropriate professional guidance and build tolerable experiences one step at a time.
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