Owners Warned Dogs At Risk Of Post-Covid Anxiety
The pandemic may have seen a major surge in dog ownership, but this could lead to a challenging situation as restrictions ease and many owners return to the office.
As the BBC reports, many dogs are struggling with this as their owners get back to work and leave them behind for hours on end.
According to the RSPCA, there are now 12 million dogs at homes in the UK. As so many of them will have been used to having their owners at home all day, returning to work and leaving them behind could cause them some significant mental problems.
For this reason, it has been urging owners to make a plan as they return to work, one that will enable their pet to make the transition more easily. This could involve having a professional dog-sitter, or getting family and friends to spend time with the pooch. Dog day care in Chiswick is one great option to keep your faithful friend happy.
The RSPCA has listed a series of tips for owners to help their dog cope, noting eight out of ten will be prone to separation anxiety.
It has advised owners to encourage dogs to go to their bed and stay, then gradually move away, using praise and reward to encourage the animal to stay put. By increasing the time and distance involved, this can make it easier for the dog to acclimatise to being out of its owner’s presence for significant periods of time.
Similar challenges are being faced by dog owners in other countries, such as the US. The American Kennel Club has issued its own tips on helping train puppies to prevent separation anxiety.
This includes spending some time without the dog every day, even if not going to work, as well as maintaining a regular routine. This way, when the return to work does come, it will not be such a major shock for the dog to suddenly be without their owner.
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