Your pet dog is a treasured member of your family; a best friend, a sibling, a fun playmate and a warm companion to hang out with. If you have just got your dog during the coronavirus crisis, you might be starting to adjust him or her into “normal” life – spending less time at home and more time at work, for example – and this could be causing some stress.
Everybody wants a relaxed dog who just goes with the flow, but this takes considerable effort to actually make this happen. In this blog we will take a look at two simple steps you can take, to help your dog feel less anxious and more chilled!
Let them explore the house (and backyard!) while you are out of the home.
While some dog trainers say you should confine your dog to a crate while you are out of the house, some dogs find this anxiety-inducing. If you have crated your dog in the past but found that he howls, chews or generally panics, then it isn’t for him.
Instead, you can let your dog roam the house while you are out, allowing them to find a comfortable space to rest. Of course, you can keep some areas like bedrooms restricted if you don’t want your dog taking refuge in your comfortable bed, but give them access to the majority of rooms.
Similarly, you can have a sliding glass dog door installed in your home so that your dog can access the backyard without you having to let him out. This requires you to have a fully fenced off backyard so that he can’t escape. Giving your pup access to outside reduces the chances of accidents happening in the home, and lets them play outside with their toys if they want.
Exercise strict self-control when you get back.
It is super tempting to greet your dog immediately when you come through the door; however, dog experts say this isn’t a good idea. If your dog gets over-excited and starts barking, running, spinning or jumping when you arrive home, it is best to ignore them until they are calm. This can be difficult – our first instinct is to pet them and get excited too – but this can actually make your dog’s anxiety worse.
If your dog is anxious, it is important to show him that you are in control of the situation and there’s no need to worry. If you freak out with them when you arrive home, you are sending the message that you, too, have been worrying about them while you were out. If you ignore them and go about your normal behavior until they calm down, it shows them that they have nothing to fear. Practice makes perfect.
Final Thoughts
If you have a dog suffering from separation anxiety and you want to combat this, take this article’s advice for helping your dog to feel calm at home. You should have a happy, healthy, relaxed pooch in no time.