By Heidi Dahms Foster
As the Covid Pandemic wanes, more and more people have returned to the office or are modifying their remote work schedules. People are adjusting to the change, but in some cases, their dogs are another story.
People who were forced to avoid contact with others during the Pandemic found themselves staying away from entertainment venues and restaurants, and even working from home. That left a lot of time to interact and build a relationship with the family pet. But it also took away the socialization that the normal pup would experience with their families.
TheBark.com states that while dogs adopted during the Pandemic were in the critical formative weeks of early life, particularly during 2020, their behavior and socialization was affected to varying degrees by the lack of normal contact and experiences during the long months of quarantine isolation.
“We have been seeing a lot more dogs coming in with a lack of exposure, and many that lacked this exposure during the critical stage of puppyhood,” said Owner/Trainer Donna Cox of Prescott Valley Dog Squad.
“These dogs can be more skittish and nervous outside of the home or with visitors in the home. Dogs underexposed to environments during Covid may also show fear reactivity or aggression such as barking or lunging while on leash.”
Because they were rarely left alone during the Pandemic, these dogs can experience a high level of separation anxiety. They show distress when apart from their families. Many Pandemic pups did not visit the vet often, which adds to the anxiety when they need healthcare.
Rescues and shelters such as the Yavapai Humane Society are experiencing higher than normal numbers of pet surrenders. Whether that is from people abandoning the animals they adopted during the Pandemic is not certain, said Loree Walden, Marketing Manager at Yavapai Humane Society.
“We are seeing a big increase in animals coming into the shelter,” she said. “We really have no way of tracking if these were animals adopted during the Pandemic. There are so many reasons given. Some reasons are ‘not enough time,’ or ‘didn’t get along with other animals in the house.’ Unfortunately, there is also a lot of ‘moving, can’t take with’ and ‘cannot afford.’”
Walden said another reason for pet surrenders is the difficulty of accessing affordable veterinarian care. “There is a nationwide shortage on veterinarians, and there are so many clinics across the country which are facing the same problems and having to close.”
Yavapai Humane has a low-cost spay/neuter clinic that remains closed for lack of a veterinarian.
Pet food and supplies have also seen a big increase in cost, and some people are sadly having to surrender pets because they cannot afford to feed and care for them. There are resources to help.
“We do have a Community Pet Food Pantry where we can assist those in need with food for their pets,” Walden said.
Area rescues will also help those in need of food and supplies, rather than see them surrender their pet. Some local pet stores keep a box for patrons to donate food for pets in need. Donate if you can, or call if you’re in need.
You can help your anxious pup, whether the anxiety is caused by Pandemic isolation or another reason. It will take some consistent work, but a more relaxed and healthier dog is worth the effort. Your plan should include the following.
Proper Crate Training
Dogs are den animals, and a comfortable, sturdy crate can solve a lot of problems, both with anxiety and behavior.
Crate training can keep your safe in the car, keep him calm and safe after an injury or surgery, give him a quiet place to rest when you have visitors, and provide a safe place if you have to evacuate during an emergency.
Take some time to properly introduce your dog to a crate. You can start by feeding him there, and letting him have his treats and chews during short times inside.
Chewy.com has a detailed tutorial to assist with crate training at tinyurl.com/2khw4hs9.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Your dog needs a reasonable amount of exercise each day to help him relax when you are gone or busy. Try a daily walk, or a variety of fetch games with his favorite ball or toy.
Mental stimulation is equally important. Trick training is a great place to start and a fun way to interact with your dog. There are many online resources and books for simple tricks to teach your dog. Most are simple and just a few minutes a day will yield big results.
Calming Routines
One of the tricks you can teach your dog is “place” (relaxing in a specified place), or “settle” (lie down, sit or stay quietly). Be sure to reward as appropriate. As much as you can, keep your dog to a regular routine of feeding, exercise and bedtime.
Come and Go Without Fanfare
Give your dog a special treat or chew when you leave, and leave quietly. Pick up the treat when you return, so he knows it’s just for when you are gone.
One of the best habits you can have is to come and go quietly. Give your dog its treat, and avoid prolonged goodbyes. When you return, come into the house and ignore your pet for the first few minutes to avoid a lot of emotion.
While You’re Gone
If your dog is considerably anxious while you’re gone, or you’re worried about thunderstorms, consider giving over-the-counter natural calming supplements. There are many good brands on the market at Amazon or Chewy.com.
Cox has some suggestions to gently socialize your anxious pup.
“The best thing you can do is get your dog out and about,” she said. “Go somewhere isolated without a lot of people or dogs. Get your dog out of the car and play with them, do some training, and make it fun. If your dog likes to tug, bring a tug with you, and play tug to engage them and keep them from being distracted, nervous, or reactive.
“Does your dog love food? Great! Bring the best stuff you have and use it. Then go home. It’s that simple.
“Build the distraction levels to accommodate your dog’s comfort level and be mindful that they aren’t doing anything wrong, they just don’t know a better alternative. Keep your training sessions short,” she said.
Resources
Prescott Valley Dog Squad: prescottvalleydogsquad.com
Yavapai Humane Society: yavapaihumane.org
Chewy Pet Products:
chewy.com
TheBark.com
Time, Resources and Separation Anxiety: The Dilemma of Pandemic Pups
By Heidi Dahms Foster
As the Covid Pandemic wanes, more and more people have returned to the office or are modifying their remote work schedules. People are adjusting to the change, but in some cases, their dogs are another story.
People who were forced to avoid contact with others during the Pandemic found themselves staying away from entertainment venues and restaurants, and even working from home. That left a lot of time to interact and build a relationship with the family pet. But it also took away the socialization that the normal pup would experience with their families.
TheBark.com states that while dogs adopted during the Pandemic were in the critical formative weeks of early life, particularly during 2020, their behavior and socialization was affected to varying degrees by the lack of normal contact and experiences during the long months of quarantine isolation.
“We have been seeing a lot more dogs coming in with a lack of exposure, and many that lacked this exposure during the critical stage of puppyhood,” said Owner/Trainer Donna Cox of Prescott Valley Dog Squad.
“These dogs can be more skittish and nervous outside of the home or with visitors in the home. Dogs underexposed to environments during Covid may also show fear reactivity or aggression such as barking or lunging while on leash.”
Because they were rarely left alone during the Pandemic, these dogs can experience a high level of separation anxiety. They show distress when apart from their families. Many Pandemic pups did not visit the vet often, which adds to the anxiety when they need healthcare.
Rescues and shelters such as the Yavapai Humane Society are experiencing higher than normal numbers of pet surrenders. Whether that is from people abandoning the animals they adopted during the Pandemic is not certain, said Loree Walden, Marketing Manager at Yavapai Humane Society.
“We are seeing a big increase in animals coming into the shelter,” she said. “We really have no way of tracking if these were animals adopted during the Pandemic. There are so many reasons given. Some reasons are ‘not enough time,’ or ‘didn’t get along with other animals in the house.’ Unfortunately, there is also a lot of ‘moving, can’t take with’ and ‘cannot afford.’”
Walden said another reason for pet surrenders is the difficulty of accessing affordable veterinarian care. “There is a nationwide shortage on veterinarians, and there are so many clinics across the country which are facing the same problems and having to close.”
Yavapai Humane has a low-cost spay/neuter clinic that remains closed for lack of a veterinarian.
Pet food and supplies have also seen a big increase in cost, and some people are sadly having to surrender pets because they cannot afford to feed and care for them. There are resources to help.
“We do have a Community Pet Food Pantry where we can assist those in need with food for their pets,” Walden said.
Area rescues will also help those in need of food and supplies, rather than see them surrender their pet. Some local pet stores keep a box for patrons to donate food for pets in need. Donate if you can, or call if you’re in need.
You can help your anxious pup, whether the anxiety is caused by Pandemic isolation or another reason. It will take some consistent work, but a more relaxed and healthier dog is worth the effort. Your plan should include the following.
Proper Crate Training
Dogs are den animals, and a comfortable, sturdy crate can solve a lot of problems, both with anxiety and behavior.
Crate training can keep your safe in the car, keep him calm and safe after an injury or surgery, give him a quiet place to rest when you have visitors, and provide a safe place if you have to evacuate during an emergency.
Take some time to properly introduce your dog to a crate. You can start by feeding him there, and letting him have his treats and chews during short times inside.
Chewy.com has a detailed tutorial to assist with crate training at tinyurl.com/2khw4hs9.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Your dog needs a reasonable amount of exercise each day to help him relax when you are gone or busy. Try a daily walk, or a variety of fetch games with his favorite ball or toy.
Mental stimulation is equally important. Trick training is a great place to start and a fun way to interact with your dog. There are many online resources and books for simple tricks to teach your dog. Most are simple and just a few minutes a day will yield big results.
Calming Routines
One of the tricks you can teach your dog is “place” (relaxing in a specified place), or “settle” (lie down, sit or stay quietly). Be sure to reward as appropriate. As much as you can, keep your dog to a regular routine of feeding, exercise and bedtime.
Come and Go Without Fanfare
Give your dog a special treat or chew when you leave, and leave quietly. Pick up the treat when you return, so he knows it’s just for when you are gone.
One of the best habits you can have is to come and go quietly. Give your dog its treat, and avoid prolonged goodbyes. When you return, come into the house and ignore your pet for the first few minutes to avoid a lot of emotion.
While You’re Gone
If your dog is considerably anxious while you’re gone, or you’re worried about thunderstorms, consider giving over-the-counter natural calming supplements. There are many good brands on the market at Amazon or Chewy.com.
Cox has some suggestions to gently socialize your anxious pup.
“The best thing you can do is get your dog out and about,” she said. “Go somewhere isolated without a lot of people or dogs. Get your dog out of the car and play with them, do some training, and make it fun. If your dog likes to tug, bring a tug with you, and play tug to engage them and keep them from being distracted, nervous, or reactive.
“Does your dog love food? Great! Bring the best stuff you have and use it. Then go home. It’s that simple.
“Build the distraction levels to accommodate your dog’s comfort level and be mindful that they aren’t doing anything wrong, they just don’t know a better alternative. Keep your training sessions short,” she said.
Resources
Prescott Valley Dog Squad: prescottvalleydogsquad.com
Yavapai Humane Society: yavapaihumane.org
Chewy Pet Products:
