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Everyone wants the best for their pets, but sometimes the things that make them happiest aren’t always the best things for them. A prime example of this, is having the entire family home virtually, and perhaps literally 24/7. With things on the road to getting better, many have had to resume their jobs in order to support themselves, but that jarring switch from stay-at-home to working part or full time, is extremely distressing for dogs. So for those who are looking to make that switch soon, here are some tips to make the transition smoother and less stressful. Crate Training This is something that’s typically stressed when bringing home a brand new puppy, but its beneficial at absolutely any age! Any dog can be crate trained regardless of how old they are, the only thing that changes are the recommended hours they’re crated, and the comforts they require while in the crate. Water, food, blankets, and toys are all a consideration that should be discussed with a vet as well as a trainer who knows your dog’s situation. Toys can pose a risk of choking to many dogs, if they choose to destroy them, so do not place any in the crate without consulting with someone. Crate training (or reinstating crate training, if they are already trained) will help communicate to the dog that boundaries are still in place for where they can be, and when they can be there. It protects the dog from getting into dangerous objects or substances that could potentially kill them, and is a must if your dog is displaying separation anxiety when you leave. Dedicated Dog Time Since we want to wean the dog off expecting you to be available constantly, we want to make sure we also supplement it with dedicated play and training time. Crating or time away shouldn’t be a punishment, but rather a break where you can both have some time away from each other, and the best time to implement that is after some good bonding time. Whether it be playing fetch, going for a jog, or grooming, make sure it’s something enjoyable for both of you to maximize the benefits. This surge of endorphins will help imprint positive feelings onto separation time. Don’t Make It A Big Deal You’ve likely heard this one before since it’s such popular crate training advice. The more you amp up your dog in the moments before leaving, the more stressed they will be once you go out the door. It’s better to keep a calm demeanor and your dog will reflect it. The same goes for coming home - The bigger of a deal you make it, the bigger of a deal it will feel like to them! Start Small You don’t want to go straight to leaving them inside for 8 hours, as this can seriously damage your dog’s trust in you. Rather work up to length slowly, for however long it takes your dog. For some dogs it will only take a week, for others it could take up to a couple months to help them fully grasp that alone time isn’t a negative thing, especially if it’s been used as a punishment before Make Sure It’s Properly Diagnosed Something with a name like “Separation Anxiety” seems like it would be cut and dry, and not require a professional’s diagnoses right? But many dogs are improperly labeled as having separation anxiety, when in truth they have something much less sinister and much easier to treat. Not every dog who barks when you leave has clinical separation anxiety - they could have general anxiety, they could be in isolation distress, they could not have the materials they need while you’re gone and are trying to warn you. Ultimately it’s better to get an assessment than to start throwing improper training techniques at your dog, and risking worsening their symptoms. Assign Sentences To Timeframes If your dog is not destructive, but just gets antsy after a certain length of time, it will help to assign sentences relative to how long you’ll be gone. Most pet dogs recognize “I’m going to work” as you will be gone for the majority of the day, while “I’m heading to the store” elicits a much weaker response. If your dog is ok for 2 to 3 hours, but starts panicking after 4 or 5, maybe your schedule is too unpredictable for them to understand when you’ll be gone for a long time, and when you’ll only be a few minutes. In this case adding a signature sentence can greatly reduce discomfort every time you leave. Just make sure you give him adequate time to recognize and learn the new sentences before seeing any results, and keep an eye out for worsening symptoms. If explicitly telling your dog how long you will be gone for elicits a more panicked response than before, you may need to go back to square one. If you need more assistance with helping your dog overcome stress when you leave, you can contact us on any of our social media accounts, or at [email protected]
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