Preparing Your Dog for When You Return to Work

Being forced to stay home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 may be an incredible inconvenience to us but not to your dogs. They’re in heaven!

If you’ve visited your animal hospital or spoken to your veterinarian during this time, you were probably advised that returning to work when our state begins to reopen may cause some stress for your pets.

Your dog is used to seeing you all day every day. Veterinarians advise that the sudden change and return to your old schedule could cause separation anxiety. Your veterinarian may diagnosis separation anxiety for any number of negative behaviors from excessive barking, urination, and destructive chewing when separated from their human companions.

Thankfully, there are measures you can take before you return to work to help prevent these unwanted behaviors and avoid a trip to see your veterinarian or animal hospital training!

The best thing you can do is to prepare your dog for the change in schedule by reintroducing them to the separation slowly. For example, a week before you return to work, you should begin waking up and getting ready for work just like you will have to when you actually work outside of the home. After a couple of days, try leaving the house for a small amount of time to get your dog used the separation. Try to extend the amount of time you leave in small increments. 

These small changes will help ease your dog into separation, rather than springing it on them all at once! Veterinarians also recommend providing your dog with plenty of exercise before leaving the house if possible. This will help to calm their anxiety and tire them out. A tired pup is a happy pup!

If you are getting ready to return to work, follow these tips for a smooth transition. Your dogs will thank you and you will be happy to come home to a relaxed, healthy dog. If you experience any problems with separation anxiety, be sure to contact your veterinarian or visit your animal hospital to rule out any medical issues. Cumberland Animal Hospital’s veterinarians in Fayetteville, NC are always available to assist you. Please call 910-822-3337 to schedule an appointment.