How to ease dog separation anxiety when we return to work after lockdown

With restrictions slowly coming to an end on July 19, many of us still working from home will be returning to the office.

The idea of getting back into a routine may be a welcome relief to most but dog owners could be feeling rather apprehensive.

Positive puppy expert Ali Smith from Rebarkable (www.rebarkable.com) shares how owners becoming suddenly absent from their homes will affect the pup they are leaving behind.

She said: “Dogs are social animals, they’re called man’s best friend for a reason, and they’ve likely thrived on the extra time, love and attention they’ve gotten from all the family. If we take that away, in one fell swoop, we may see a rise in separation anxiety cases in our dogs.”

To prevent causing our furry friends heartache, there is plenty we can do to help our dogs adjust to our new work schedule.

Ali said: “Going back to work presents a whole new challenge. We must set our dogs up for success by not just presuming that they’ll be fine and behave exactly as they did before lockdown. It’s going to be advised that we take it back to basics. When dogs first come into our lives, it’s a process to teach them how to be happy alone in our homes without accidents and stress. That process boils down to slowly increasing the time they spend alone and that is going to work just as well now as it did then.”

Ali advises that we begin sooner rather than later and begin to get them used to our absence in short bursts.

She said: “Start leaving, whether this is for shopping, going for a meal or just meeting some friends at the pub. Use that to start building up a regular pattern of alone time for your dog, just remember to start on things you’ll know they’ll succeed at, whether that’s 30 minutes or less.”

The idea of simply walking out the door may seem daunting to those of us who know their pup tends to misbehave if not under the watchful eye of their owner. In that case, Ali suggests ways to keep them occupied and switch their focus away from being home alone.

She said: “You can give chews, kongs, bones or snuffle mats to help them relax into their alone time too and if you think your pup is likely to suffer from separation anxiety you can try adding in the TV, music and herbal or hormone-based calming remedies.”

If the idea of shutting the door on your dog is too much to bear, Ali says it may be best to consider a dog walker or daycare facility.

She said: “Whether it’s to break up the day or give them a day of structured fun whilst you’re at work, start creating that bond with their walker or daycare provider before you go back to work. It will give your dog an easy transition when it comes to handing them over.”

If none of these options appear viable, all hope is not lost. Ali, a dog trainer herself, knows the benefits of seeking professional help and advice.

She said: “A professional, positive reinforcement-based trainer will be able to help you and your dog come out the other side happy and content. If you’ve tried training before and that hasn’t worked, head to the vet to discuss your options.”