Post-COVID and Your Pup
As the COVID-19 pandemic is coming to an end, we need to think about the future. One of these things we need to think about is the impact that the pandemic will leave on our pets. I believe the information contained in this blog is important so please make sure to read to the end.
Why are we going over this?
As eager as most people are to return to normalcy, we need to consider the lasting effects the pandemic will leave on our pets psychologically. Let’s take one minute to put our shoes into your pup’s “shoes”. Imagine that you are a dog who has been living in the COVID-19 pandemic for almost two years. Your favorite person and your family has been staying at home by your side for the majority of the two years. What do you think your pup is thinking? They will probably be believing something along the lines of this, “oh, this is the new normal? Yay!”. So if you think from that perspective, what would your reaction as a loving, loyal dog be when all of a sudden, your owners are leaving the house for long periods of time and with the kids going to wherever they are going for a long period of time as well? Granted, your pup will probably experience amplified separation anxiety (especially for young dogs from ages 1-2 which is the age range where separation anxiety is most commonly found), stress, and more. Sometimes anxiety can get so bad to the point that it can lead to physical symptoms.
How do I know if my pup is suffering from separation anxiety?
First, we need to understand what is separation anxiety. Separation anxiety -which is also known as separation distress- is when a pet experiences anxiety or even panic when they are separated from their pack (their favorite people like their human family). To tell if your pet is suffering from this disorder you could put up cameras in the house. If you see the signs associated with separation anxiety such as vocalizing, salivation, destructive behavior especially at exits, urination or defecation indoors, a lack of appetite when alone, self-trauma like chewing or licking when alone, and attempted or successful escapes, you should notify your veterinarian.
What can I do to help my pet who suffers from separation anxiety?
The best thing you could do is to make sure your pup is meeting their daily needs such as proper nutrition, medical care, exercise, and grooming and husbandry. This is not only good for their physical health, but can also be beneficial to their mental health as well! The other daily needs for pets who are suffering from separation anxiety are protection from undue stress or fear, physical exercise, mental stimulation (games are a great way to do so), social interactions with their favorite people, and although this sounds counterproductive, alone time can be a great remedy as well. Like humans, all of us at some point in our lives needed some alone time to calm down and to relax. However, if your pet is showing signs of distress when you are giving them alone time, immediately stop trying to remedy their separation anxiety this way.
How can I teach my pet to become more “independent”? (Part I)
A great way to teach your pet how to be on their own without developing or showing symptoms of separation anxiety is to do Independence Training. Independence Training teaches pets to be more comfortable when an owner’s presence is absent and allows the pet to relax without feeling the need to follow the owner everytime they move to a new location. This type of training can even reduce the risk of hyper-attachment (a condition that is commonly found with separation anxiety when a pet becomes too attached to the owner and would try different ways to prevent the owner from leaving and would try to follow the owner wherever they go).
How can I teach my pet to become more “independent”? (Part II)
One type of Independence Training is called Downtime. With the Downtime method, what you want to do is to build in time into the day for your pet to relax without planned interaction. This helps your pet to become used to the lack of interaction between him/herself and the owner. You can offer toys or a meal in the desired "downtime” location. If your pet is comfortable with doing so, simply provide the distraction object and move on with your activities. However, if your pet is showing body language that shows that they are possibly stressing out, stop the exercise and try again but more slowly. To begin the Downtime exercise, first stay near the downtime area with your pup. Then quietly encourage and reward them when they interact with their toys. Just make sure to not give them too many treats! As your pet becomes more accustomed to this exercise, gradually move further and further away from the downtime area. This exercise should be kept short enough and at a close enough distance so your pet does not display signs of stress. The Downtime method helps to build and maintain the habit of alone time.
Other Methods to Help Treat or Prevent Separation Anxiety (Part I)
A great method to treat or prevent separation anxiety from developing is by practicing separations. Once your pup mastered the Downtime method, you can begin to take a bigger step in your pup’s journey of reducing or even better, eliminating separation anxiety and its symptoms through training and -of course- a few delicious treats! First, find an area where your pet will be safe. Next say something to your pet to tell them that you will be back. Give your pup a treat (don’t want to give them too many) and step away out of sight so your pup cannot see or get to you. A good guideline for the amount of separation time to start with would be a few seconds at a time, but this will be different from dog to dog. Every dog is unique!
Other Methods to Help Treat or Prevent Separation Anxiety (Part II)
If you believe your pup’s separation is not too bad, then separate yourself from your pup for a minute or two as a starting point. Remember that if you hear your pet making noises that can potentially be signs of distress, make sure to stop what you are doing and to take the exercise more slowly. Another thing to keep in mind is to not show signs of aggression towards your pup while training. Training is tedious work but is well worth the time if done properly. Showing signs of aggression can be counterproductive, confuse your dog, and can even amplify signs of separation anxiety so stay clear from this.
I hope you found this informative and that you will consider doing these exercises to not only help your dog suffering from separation anxiety but to also strengthen the bond between yourself and your pup. Can’t miss out on a bonding opportunity right? Thank you for reading and I will see you in the next blog! :)
Citations:
[1] https://animalbehavior2015.wordpress.com/2015/09/13/hyper-attachment-in-pet-dogs-a-likely-pathway-to-separation-anxiety/comment-page-1/
[2] Preventing Separation Distress During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic, et al. “Preventing Separation Distress During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic.” vca_corporate, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/preventing-separation-distress-during-and-after-the-covid-19-pandemic#:~:text=Be%20calm%2C%20reassuring%2C%20and%20relaxed,pet%20anxiety%20about%20being%20alone.&text=Practice%20separations%20help%20assess%20if%20pets%20are%20comfortable%20being%20left%20alone.