Helping your dog adjust to being home alone again after lockdown
The dogs of Ireland have definitely benefited from having us all home during lock-down. They have been spending more time with their families more than ever before and no doubt been loving every minute. It is important to remember how sensitive our dogs are to even slight changes like the reduction in distance restrictions and people returning to work. We have compiled a list of tips and tricks to help ease your dog back into coping being home alone without us.
The most important thing to remember is having some kind of routine and trying to stick to it as much as possible. This routine should be centered around your dog’s feeding times, walk and play times, sleep schedule and hanging out with you time. This will prevent them from struggling with the isolation of not having everyone home all day anymore. If you’re not back to work just yet but wanting to do some prep work for when you do, try to stick to the same routine your dog would have if you weren’t there. As hard as it may be to do, try not to provide extra cuddles when you would usually work and, instead, walk them at the time you usually would and then either crate them or leave them with a stuffed toy or kong to keep them busy by themselves without you even if you are just in the next room. If possible, you can reintroduce your dog to the idea of you leaving home without them by standing outside your front door for a few minutes a day, even have a “leaving” routine like gathering your bag or putting your coat. This will help them cope with the idea of not having you home with them 24/7. The lack of your constant presence at home will help them maintain their confidence and ability to self soothe for when your normal family routine ensues.
Your dog may be used to walking shorter distances during the government restrictions or may not have been given the chance to burn off the excess energy at the dog park that they usually would so it is important to make up for this with extra play time or training at home and in the garden. This will ensure they don’t use the excess energy to form bad habits like getting destructive when you’ve left home.
If your dog is normally quite anxious anyway or you feel they will struggle when the normal routine returns, look into employing a dog walker or a local dog daycare centre as these will provide the exercise, socialisation, relief and company your dog will miss when you are gone during the day.
When you do get the chance for you and your dog’s quality time, have a look at our other post here https://www.paws.ie/working-from-home-weve-got-you-and-your-dog-covered/ for ideas of mental and physical stimulation and some things to do just you and your dog when you are home.
Other ways to help prevent separation anxiety include:
- Providing stuffed kongs, antlers, long lasting chews and puzzle toys to keep your dog distracted
- Leave the tv or radio on for your dog when you’ve left
- Increase walk time to decrease excess energy
- Change your dog’s scenery like leaving them in the room with a big window they can look out of and watch the world go by.
- Invest in some new toys or a new cuddly bed to help rest and relax while you are gone.