If there’s one thing dog trainers around the world are worried about right now (besides COVID-19) it’s the number of separation anxiety cases we’ll be seeing in the coming months when everyone who is stuck at home goes back to their normal routines.
Maybe you’ve been working hard on a behavior modification protocol with your dog and have been seeing improvements. Or maybe you just figured out the perfect house training routine for your new puppy. Things were going well, and you’ve been happy to find yourself at home with furry co-workers all day. Not so fast.
Whether you have an adult dog prone to anxiety or a puppy who doesn’t yet have home alone experience, it’s easy for them to become accustomed to this “all together now!” lifestyle. They love having us home with them, but it won’t last. When we resume our normal routines, many dogs will suffer.
Right now it is our absolute responsibility to practice leaving our dogs alone so that the transition back to our normal lives isn’t as dramatic.
If you have a new puppy: Leave your puppy alone each and every day at different times and for varying durations to acclimate them to spending time alone in the house.
If you have a generally anxious dog: Start teaching them to relax, and practice Dr. Karen Overall’s relaxation protocol.
If you have a dog with separation anxiety and you are already working through modification protocols, now is not the time to stop. You need to hold the ground you have gained; whether that means picking up your keys without your dog caring or leaving the house for 30 minutes.
Even though we need to stay six feet away from others, we can still safely leave the house to:
- Go for a walk (without your dog)
- Return a phone call from the car, or where your dog cannot hear you
- Seatbelt the children into the car with a video (in sight of course)
- Drop a meal to an edlerly family member or friend (you can leave it outside their door – you don’t even have to see them!)
- Run errands
- Give a teenager a driving lesson
To get you started, or to help you stay on track, your Behavior Consultant can continue to coach you virtually. If you are not already sharing videos and tracking sheets with your professional, ask them to get you started. We offer a virtual coaching package for Separation Anxiety and Puppy Tele-Training to guide you through your puppydom with ease.
To get started with our tele-training classes either email us at nyc@behaviorvets.com or call us at 646-661-1001. We look forward to seeing you online!