What to Expect From YOUR Dog After QUARANTINE!

With the recent quarantine due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and opening back up of many states, you can expect to start to go back to work and school in the near future. This means that after nearly three months, your pup will be on their own for the first time in a while. We are going to discuss what to expect when this happens.

 

It is to be expected that some anxiety may arise from being home with you for the past few months. This will present itself through whining when you prepare to leave, and barking when you are gone. Other possibilities are accidents in the house, and chewing of furniture or other things.

 

Being prepared for this anxiety is the best way to combat it. And there are ways to build up to the big day you finally have to leave for an extended period of time. Utilizing your dog’s crate will be a great tool. You can begin by putting them in the crate for a few minutes at a time while you are in a separate room. You can gradually build up this time, day by day. Then, eventually leaving for a short time, about 10-15 minutes, with your dog in the crate, and eventually, move up this time to 30-60 minutes. This will gradually re-introduce your pup to being left alone again. Utilizing the crate for this, will let your dog know that the crate is their own safe space.

 

This is not the only way to combat separation anxiety, and if you are not able to utilize this method, I encourage you to research other methods.