Pandemic Pet Owner Worries
June 6, 2022
Thousands and thousands of puppies and other pets found themselves in their new, forever homes during the pandemic that they gave them their own hashtags: #pandemicpuppy #pandemicpets
But now most of these pets are mature adults and their humans are returning to work. There’s going to be a drastic change in their daily routine. This can spell big trouble for pet owners who are not prepared.
Separation anxiety
For instance, with pandemic puppies, one of the most talked about problems is separation anxiety.
For the past two years, most of us have been working from home and spending a lot of time with our pets. You do everything together. You wake up at the same time, eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at the same time, go for walks at the same time and so on. Even if your dog is sleeping soundly in the corner of the room while you work, they have their eyes and ears trained on you.
And now all of that is about to change.
Dogs are social animals
Being pack animals, it’s only natural for your dog to feel anxious in this situation. Such a drastic change is going to be a shock for your dog, especially when you leave the house for the first time.
Dogs are social animals. Whether it’s human or canine, a dog needs to be part of the pack at all times. At the very least, they need to know what’s going on.
So ease into it gently and show them that there’s nothing to fear. To reduce anxiety in your dog, the Humane Society recommends short intervals of alone time:
“Go outside for a few minutes and then return. Animals need to understand that you can leave and you always come back. That will help reduce separation anxiety.”
Maintain a consistent routine
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) stresses the importance of a consistent daily routine, where meals, walks and nap times are spaced out at the same time every day.
“Major lifestyle adjustments are challenging for all family members, including our furry friends. The easiest way to help your pet cope with these changes is to keep their routine consistent,” says Dave Wilson, Senior Director, Shelter Health & Wellness, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “Knowing what to expect and when gives our pets a sense of control in their environment and supports their emotional health.”
Dogs need routine and when that changes, it’s a big deal. So introduce your new work schedule to your dog gradually and stick to it. Consistency is key.
Reduce the fear of separation anxiety
Every dog needs their own comfy place to lie down where they feel safe. Use this space to lure him or her away from the front door and get him comfortable with some tasty treats before you leave. This will show your dog being left alone is nothing to fear.
Treats before leaving
What kind of treats work best for keeping your dog occupied for a while? There’s a bunch to choose from, such as a Kong stuffed with peanut butter or a snuffle mat full of goodies. Treats work well at distracting your dog and help to take their minds off of your imminent departure.
It’s easy to think that separation anxiety will go away and right itself as soon as your puppy grows up. But in fact, separation anxiety can lead to destructive behaviours such as chewing the furniture or peeing in the house.
Over time, separation anxiety can result in severe behavioural changes, such as fear and aggression. So nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand.