RESCUE TAILS / When Life Returns to Normal

By Cathy Baier

It seems like everything in life has a flip side; every downside has an upside, every cost has a benefit, and every negative has a positive buried within. This lockdown is a perfect example. There have been upsides for many of us: no daily schedules, more free time, and a chance to be with our families in ways we’ve never had before. You can guess where this is going… to the flip side! All that time and togetherness comes with a cost. Now many of us can’t wait for the day we can kiss our loved ones goodbye, walk out the door and get back to our normal days. We don’t know when it will happen, but we know it will. Most of us will welcome it. But will our animals? For them, that transition may not be an easy one!

There is a growing concern among trainers, behaviorists, and shelter professionals about the impact our eventual return to work may have on companion animals. This is especially critical for dogs, being as socially dependent on us as they are, but cats and other animals could be affected as well. At the start of the lockdown, animals had to adapt to all the changes our sudden and constant presence at home created for them.  But the upside was they had a lot more of our time and attention. By now, having us home with them all the time has become their “new normal”. As a result, they may have become more emotionally dependent on us. This could reveal itself as we begin to resume our normal lives and our animals go back to being alone much of the time. The concern is that we may begin to see an increase in anxiety-driven behavior issues ranging from milder isolation distress to full-blown separation anxiety, a heartbreaking panic disorder requiring professional help from a qualified behaviorist and veterinarian. 

Just because a dog tolerated being left alone 8 hours a day before the lockdown doesn’t mean he/she will be able to snap back into that routine on the other side of it. Experiences change us and can affect our tolerance to cope with things.  Animals are no different, sudden changes can leave them confused and distressed, causing a change in behavior and/or well-being!  So now is the time to pay close attention to your dog’s behavior. Has their behavior changed in any way? Are they already showing signs of anxiety that could increase and become more serious down the road.

Does your dog:

  • Follow you everywhere?
  • Want to be close or touching you?
  • Go wild with excitement when you come home?
  • Not eat/drink if you are gone, or eats/drinks noticeably more?
  • Look tired/distressed when you come home?
  • Look agitated when you prepare to leave (pace, show stress signs like yawning, licking lips)?

These are behaviors that indicate that your dog is experiencing some anxiety and by being pro-active now, you may helping reduce the chances of more serious problems developing.

True separation anxiety, once it develops is a challenging and complex fear-based condition which requires professional help. It’s a reason many dogs are surrendered to shelters.  For more information, check this link along with the list of certified trainers and vets who specialize in treating SA. https://malenademartini.com/ 

The suggestions below are not intended as behavior advice for dogs suffering from S/A.  

Here are a few ways to help prepare your dog emotionally for your return to work.

  • Practice leaving your dog for short periods of time while you go for a walk, do some yardwork, run to the post office. (For some dogs, the time may be as little as a couple minutes to start if you have not been leaving them at all!)
  • Avoid emotional exits and returns. Be calm; avoid generating excitement.
  • Practice leaving as you would when life is normal (pick up your purse, your keys, do what you normally would do before leaving for work.)
  • Slowly begin to re-introduce your workday routine by feeding, walking, etc., on that schedule. The goal is to gradually make that change, not suddenly! For example if you normally crate your dog for a couple of hours when you are gone, keep the same routine now, even if you are at home! 
  • Build calm behavior by rewarding it with a treat or gentle petting when you see it. The more you reinforce calmness, the more you will get.
  • Provide lots of opportunities for the dog to self-entertain with Kongs, chew toys, and other food puzzles. Mental enrichment is key.  (http://www.ispeakdog.org/enrichment.html)                 

These are only a few suggestions to help your dog have the emotional resiliency and skills it will need to navigate the inevitable changes that will come. It’s the least we can do for those we consider our “best friends”.  If you would like more ideas or support, contact us at [email protected]. In the meantime, stay safe and try to laugh at least once every day!

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