HELP YOUR BEST FRIEND BEAT STRESS
MORE than half of Australian pets are experiencing separation anxiety as their owners head back to the office after the pandemic lockdown, a new survey has revealed.
The survey, by pet nutrition brand Royal Canin, found 52 per cent of Australian pets are experiencing separation anxiety, while 37 per cent of owners feel ill-equipped to manage their pet’s symptoms successfully.
Separation anxiety in pets can present as barking, whimpering or howling as their owners leave or after they have left home, behaving in a restless manner when home alone and following their owners around the house.
Vets of Geelong trainer Lisa Blackwell said it was important to acknowledge the stress put on pets who were used to having someone home with them, and to be aware of their potential triggers.
“As everyone returns back to the normal routines of our busy lifestyle, we need to consider the generation of COVID puppies who have only ever known us to work from home and be around home,” Ms Blackwell said. “Even older dogs have become accustomed to the associated luxuries and company of being around us more.”
She said triggers could include noises from the street or surrounding properties and visual stimulation from outside the home, including views of the street or nearby neighbours.
As a trainer of 38 years, Ms Blackwell’s top tips to settle your dog while you aren’t home include:
PROVIDE your dog with engaging toys. Use puzzles, snuffle mats or lick mats to keep your dog engaged while also filling its tummy. Try several muffin tins with dry dog food in each cup and a tennis ball on top. Start by making these puzzles available around you and gradually move them around the house and away from your immediate space. INSIDE goes outside. Teach your pup to enjoy being outside when
you are home so it feels normal when you aren’t. Try setting up puzzles or scattering food around the yard to encourage your dog to go “hunting”. The use of their nose will keep your dog engaged and in doing so help them self-soothe. KEEP calm and comfy. Teach your dog to settle on a comfortable bed near you and then move the bed to a sheltered place near your back door when you are not home. The use of
Adaptil, a calming pheromone for dogs can also aid in settling your pet. SWITCH up your walks. Rather than strictly exercising on walks and runs, practise making the time more engaging by stopping to smell and investigate the environment or play together. A dog that strictly exercises runs the risk of being unable to settle easily.
PRACTISE coming and going. Dogs are very good at reading our routines and can often tell when we are preparing to leave, which can elevate their stress levels. Practise mixing up your routine, leaving and coming back, and avoid making leaving or returning home an event. SOOTHING music or sounds can help create a calm environment where the triggers of external noises can be blocked. Play these sounds when you are home so there is no difference when you are out.