As we begin to think about life beyond this lockdown and leave the house more frequently, our dogs may get anxious about these changes to their settled life. Changes in their behaviour, often negatively, suggests that they may be suffering from separation anxiety. We’re here to help!
Our Executive have promised us a timetable for exiting the current lockdown this week. I’m not holding my breath – they have been warning for weeks that any such timetable can only be a guideline – but it might at least give us some idea when we can start in person classes again. I’m guessing after Easter at the earliest, but we shall have to dredge up our remaining reserves of patience and wait to see.
Coming out of lockdown
I’ve got a feeling that it will still take a long time to get back to whatever-normal-will-now-be.
What are your plans for coming out of lockdown? I am longing for the opportunity to go out for a coffee and chat with friends or a meal with my loved ones – or actually a meal with anyone who wants one. I’m not fussy…
There’s so many things to juggle and work out, but please don’t forget to think of your dog. If you’ve been based at home during lockdown your pup will be used to you being around and it will be a huge shock to them if you start going back out to work again and leaving them alone.
Your dog has been used to you being around – even when you’ve been distracted by the burden of home schooling (I admire with my whole being everyone who has survived that), or focused on working from home by Zoom without showing the pile of ironing, your tatty jog pants, or the dog’s ears in view.
Then suddenly your dog is discombobulated – you dress differently, dust off unused bags and coats that haven’t seen the light of day for over a year and leave the house. What on earth is going on?
Is your dog discombobulated?
Your dog paces round the house, feeling unsettled and unsure. Why this sudden change? Where are you? When will you come back?
Perhaps they try a few anxious barks and howls. They listen. Nope, you’re still not there. They scratch frantically at the door, now desperate to follow you and find the comfort from human company they are so used to.
But that doesn’t work, either.
They wander round, unable to settle in this strange, empty, quiet house, finally lying down with a sigh by the sofa. Next to their head is an interesting corner. Hmmm. Wonder what that tastes like? They try a surreptitious chew.
Wow, chewing makes them feel a bit better. It gives them a warm, snuggly feeling. They look for more things to chew…
Separation problems are rife in dogs after owners have been home for a while. Most dogs struggle to adjust to being left alone again for any length of time – after all, they don’t listen to the news and have no idea of the changes about to hit them. They need help to prepare them for the huge upheaval.
We’d like to provide that help for you.
Our three week Serene Separation course gives you and your pup the support and help you need to make the transition back to ‘new normal” as easy and painless as possible – for you, your dog and your bank balance.
You’ll get all the tools and games you need to prepare your dog to be happy and content being left alone. There’s a course workbook to complement the three live taught sessions, lots of opportunity to ask questions and ways to get individual help and support through WhatsApp and Facebook groups. It starts next week – on 24th March.
Your dog will appreciate you joining us!
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol
