The past few years has been the best thing to happen to most dogs. As people have been spending more time at home, either quarantining or working from home. We have been able to spend more time with our furry friends than ever before. But now the world is starting to recover, and people are returning to their day jobs. So, what does that mean for our pets? They’ve just had you all to themselves and now you must leave them on their own, but what do you do if your dog suffers from separation anxiety?
There are a few things you can do to help your dog with the distance.
- Exercise
To help ease pent up energy it is a good idea to take your dog for a long walk before leaving them alone. Throwing the ball for them is a great way to get them nice and worn out, so they are exhausted and therefore relaxed when you leave them.
- Stay Calm and don’t make a fuss
Dogs are sensitive to our behaviour and emotions. Stay calm when and before leaving. Dogs are sensitive to agitation and excitement. If you make a big deal about leaving your dog, they will react accordingly. Stay calm, don’t touch them, just leave.
This may be incredibly difficult, so be sure to give your dog plenty of love and attention well before leaving to make up for it. When you return home, ignore them until they’ve calmed down, then give them lots of love. You must act as if leaving was no big deal. As mentally painful as it may be for you, your dog will be better for it, and will react better in the future.
- Radio
A good way to keep your dog calm is by playing background noise. Radio, TV, and audiobooks are all good ways to distract and soothe your dog. You can also try a white noise machine, this might not work on all dogs, but could be worth a try if you’ve exhausted all your other options.
- Start small.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, then we recommend that you start with small baby steps. Leave the house for a few minutes at a time, gradually staying away for longer periods at a time.
- Invest in some technology
There are devices for just about everything nowadays. With plenty of dog cameras available you can keep an eye on your furry friend while you’re away from home.
One of the better products available is called a Furbo, which has a camera, microphone and treat dispenser that links up to your smartphone and Amazon Alexa. It picks up on your dog’s movement to determine behaviour such as separation anxiety and will allow you to see and speak to your dog, as well as give them a treat to calm them down when you are away from the house.
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Try to be patient with your dog. They don’t understand why you must leave them for hours at a time. By taking small steps, your dog will slowly adjust to the new rescheme. Just remember to spend lots of time together when you do finally get home with some extra cuddles.
