The Great Transitions
The first great transition was back in March when most of the country received Stay At Home orders. We all experienced a myriad of feelings as we hunkered down. While our pets comforted us, we may have inadvertently encouraged covid-codependence with our pets. Did your pets start to behave differently by week two of the Stay At Home orders? Did your pets sleep more or sleep less? Were your pet's mental and physical exercise routines changed? Did your dogs bark less or bark more? Maybe your pets jumped up, grabbed more laundry or items off counters because that started a fun game of “chase me”. Being at home full time with our pets doesn’t always feel like we’re “living the dream”. It can be stressful, for both people and pets.
When we're not home, most pets sleep. Having us home could disrupt your pet's normal sleep routine which has behavior fallout. Ever met an over-tired toddler? Now, just as we and our pets are figuring out a routine that works for us, the second great transition, Safer At Home, is starting. Insert primal scream here as we ride the coronocoaster.
As we transition from Stay At Home to Safer At Home, our daily routines are changing again. This can throw everyone for a loop. Start a home alone routine while you are still home. While you’re home, play white noise or Through a Dog’s Ear. This can become a calming cue and encourage your dog to settle. Give your dog an extra special stuffed frozen food puzzle while the music plays. By practicing this while you are home, your dog should associate the music and stuffed food puzzle with comfort rather than angst. Do this for a week or so.
Next, you’ll start leaving within five to ten minutes after you’ve started the music and given your dog his extra special stuffed food puzzle. Work from your car, apartment lobby, backyard, or balcony while your dog listens to the music and licks the food puzzle. Make sure to return before your dog becomes restless. Webcams can help you determine when to return to your dog. Have a dog who cannot settle when left alone? Contact a veterinarian and force-free trainer. In the meantime, sending your dog to a friend’s house while they work from home and you work away from home may help.
We can also help our pets by easing change back into their lives. Some of you may have quarantine buddies whom you've been spending time with. If your dog is comfortable with this person, ask them to dogsit your dog in their home for an hour. You can even swap dogs and bring their dog into your home for the same hour.
Have a friend take your dog for a walk without you. My husband and I recently did this and my friend was thrilled that her dog willingly left home and walked with us. Consider having a professional dog walker take your dog out for a half hour, even if you're still home. Try a half day of doggie daycare. Keep the duration of these significant changes short in the beginning so as not to overwhelm your dog.
Once again, if you need help transitioning your dog back to being home alone more often, contact a force-free trainer. We’re ready to make a customized plan for you!