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Practically Perfect Dog Blog

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  • Writer's pictureSuzanne Gould

Why We Need To Prepare Our Dogs For Lexit Now!

Lexit aka Lockdown Exit is hopefully not too far away for us now and we can return to our previous version of 'Normal' where we can return to work, go back to cafe dates, visiting friends and family etc This also means that we are able to leave our dogs again.



I for one am looking forward to some time apart from my dogs we've been together 24/7 for almost 7 weeks, I love my dogs but a little bit of space wouldn't go a miss. However this is where the potential for Separation Anxiety comes in.


For 7 weeks our dogs have got used to their humans continued presence and well company. Now imagine we get to go back to work on Monday all of a sudden your dog is going to be all alone for at least a few hours for the first time in months.


Sudden alone time can lead to Separation Anxiety (SA) which can cause no end of problems. My second dog Flash had serious a case of SA, in the days before I worked with dogs I worked in an office 9-5 and Flash as it turned out was barking my flat down all day. I only found out that little gem of information when my downstairs neighbour complained.


Flash also scratched all the paint off my living room door in a bid to get out of the room. He was super stressed all day and that isn't a healthy place for any dog to be. So I have lived through owning a dog with separation issues and I got us both to the other side.


Even if your dog who in their life before Lockdown was totally chilled about being on their own during the day could develop some form of SA. Hell I am even worried that my dogs will suffer with my absence so I have already started preparing them for life to return to normal.


The reality is we will be released from Lockdown, we just don't know when so we should start preparing our dogs now for alone time. The time we have to get our dogs ready the easier the transisition will be.


Routine Practice


Start emulating your typical working day now, this means get up, take your dog out / let them out, have breakfast all when you normally would before you left for work. If your dog normally has a lunchtime walk with a dog walker then aim to have a walk when they’d normally go out with a dog walker.


Don't worry you don't have to give them a similar walk that they would get with their walker. It can be short walk to the park or around the block and back. What you are doing is getting your dog used to going out at that time.

If you're currently working form home then make sure you set yourself up a deciated work space if you don’t already have one. Ie at the dining table, kitchen side. This where you’re gonna work from now on. Avoid using the sofa or your bed if your dog normally gets cuddles there.

If you’re not working from home, then ensure any activities you do have are done away from your sofa. This could be reading a book, writting on your laptop, baking etc Break out an old hobby or do an online course.

Once you start working ignore your dog, go about your work as you would in the office. Don’t entertain them when they come looking for your attention. Your dog will soon learn that when you're in your work space they won't get a look in. My own 2 know if I am sat at my desk they won't get any cuddles, however as soon as I sit on my sofa then they know its cuddle time and a 40kg Erick will actually get on my knee.

Once work is over follow your normal after work routine too from letting your dog out or walking them, feeding time and relaxtation time.

Alone Time Practice

Once you have spent a few days in your working routine move on to giving your dog some practice alone time. The best way is put your dog in another room away from you and if you are working in the area you’d normally leave your dog, then ensure you put their bed and water in the practice room.


Simply lead your dog to the room, calmly and quietly, give him an enrichment toy in/near their bed and quietly leave. Shut the door or if want use a dog gate. You can put the tv or radio on (BBC 2 or Classic FM are prefered by our dogs!) to provide them with 'company'. Ideally the rest of the home needs to be quiet a you go about your work and your dog practices. Ignore any cries or barks for attention, if you appear while your dog is barking then what you're really teaching him is barking makes mum appear.

With the enrichment toy, your dog will have a great food chellenge that provides a mental challenge. Mental exercise will tire your dog out quicker then physical excerise, we want him to chillout after he finished his toy and snooze.


Start with 30mins or an hour if your dog has previously been use to alone time, then build up the time gradually. When its time to let him out, make sure he is quiet to this and then calmly open the door. Don’t fuss or engage with your dog unless he is calm and ideally if you can wait until your offical break time to fuss him.


Its never to early to practice alone time for your dog.


Take Care

Suzanne

Chief Canine Happiness Officer.



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