Preparing Your Dog For Life Post-Quarantine

inThe future is uncertain and continually changing. For some, working from home isn’t a possibility – so when stay-at-home restrictions are lifted, many pet parents will be going back to their daily routines. The problem is that Fido doesn’t understand this. So, when you change from your regular schedule, to staying home all day, to then going back to your “normal” schedule – it’s bound to cause your furry friend some confusion. 

For whenever your “post-quarantine” hits, here are some tips to help your dog transition. 

Not Sure How Fido Will React?

If you’re on the fence about how your canine will react once you begin leaving the house again, a great option is to start filming Fido. There are various ways this can be accomplished, from security home systems, to treat cams, to multiple free apps out there like “Manything.”

When you leave the house, observe how your canine reacts through your preferred recording device. If your pooch starts to cry or whine, but after 15 minutes or so, they settle down, then you’re in luck. Because most likely, this means that your pup will eventually adapt to being home alone again.

However, if your furry friend cries and barks for an extended amount of time, or escalates to:

• Urinating
• Defecating
• Chewing 0n things they’re not supposed to
• Appearing like they’re trying to escape
• Starts to refuse to eat or noticeably is eating less

Then, those are pretty clear signs that your pup is having panic attacks and is having horrible separation anxiety – meaning they won’t adapt very well or soon to you leaving. At least without any outside help. 

The Possibility of Separation Anxiety 

Separation anxiety is pretty common among dogs, especially when their owners leave the house for extended periods of time. If you have a pooch that has already suffered from separation anxiety in the past, consider being proactive and investing in pheromone products, probiotics, nutraceutical products, and/or comfort vests. 

For pet parents out there whose dog has never experienced separation anxiety, it’s essential to understand that you being home 24/7 and then suddenly being gone can trigger them to develop separation anxiety. For some pups, their separation anxiety can get so bad that even the sound of the refrigerator can cause them grief. 

What You Should & Shouldn’t Do

First things first, you should never try to punish you pooch over their anxiety, it’s not very fair to them and is quite frankly just mean. Instead, you should talk to your pup’s vet about possibly working with a certified animal behaviorist who can help train your dog to be okay with being alone. 

You should also try leaving your canine with toys to keep them distracted. Kong toys stuffed with treats or peanut butter and mentally stimulating dog puzzles are great devices that will help keep your furry friend distracted while you’re away. You can also try remote food delivery systems that can help distract your pooch with food when you’re leaving. There are also several interactive dog cameras on the market that allow you not only to see your canine companion, but some even let you talk and give treats to your pup while you’re away. 

If you feel like you’ve tried everything, yet your pooch still seems to be anxious when you leave, you might want to consider talking to Fido’s vet about anxiety medication. There are prescriptions your pup can take like Clomicalm or Fluoxetine, the generic name for Prozac.

This sudden change can difficult for your canine, and if anything, shows how much they genuinely love and adore you that the lack of your presence brings them stress. If the methods you’re trying to transition them back to “normal” aren’t working at first, don’t get discouraged. Just try to remain as consistent as possible with your actions, and soon you’ll most likely start to see results.