How To Help Your Pet Readjust As The Pandemic Is Nearing The End

As the pandemic hit humankind, the most thrilled was, of course, their pets. The dogs were quite excited that they got to spend a lot of quality time with their owner and got pampered all day long. But as many countries started lifting off the Covid restrictions, dogs weren’t happy anymore.

Kelly Hartog, a journalist and dog mom to Bronte, notes down that, like many other pampered dogs, her dog Bronte expects her to be by his side at all times. When she stepped out for a bit after receiving her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination, her 10-year-old golden retriever didn’t take the news well. She was welcomed with a wet, pulpy, chewed mess made of her pajamas in the living room.

She recollects that Bronte used to be a well-adjusted, confident dog, but all those contact pamperings somehow spoiled him again, and now he expects her to be always his side.

How To Prepare Your Dogs Post-Pandemic

This raises the important question of how the canines will react when their owners leave for their work after a long-pampered period. The sudden change would certainly be hard for both the pet parents as well as their dogs. The sudden change can surely cause some visible behavioral changes in your dog, and it’s best to prepare them while you can at the earliest.

Another pet parent, Steevie Hughes, who got accustomed to having her 12-year-old pit bull, Zeus, says: “During this past year he went everywhere with me, we went camping, to the store, random road trips. He was so happy I was home all day.” But as the pandemic recedes, Hughes hit her office and now commits to the location four times a week. At first, Zeus seemed a bit confused with the sudden change and also acted out a bit by peeing on the couch unnecessarily even though he is a well-trained dog. While Zeus is not welcoming of the fact that he isn’t welcomed at her office, he is slowly adjusting to this new normal.

To help Zeus adjust, Hughes being a loving mom, bought new patio furniture, which her dog enjoys. Professional dog trainer and dog behavior consultant Michelle Stern is all praise for this move of Hughes as it will help the dog adjust a bit more easily, and the sudden acting out can be controlled. “Setting your dog up with a comfortable space to rest when you’re gone is a great idea,” Stern said. She also added that if the dog is willing to accept the new normal and is cooperating with you, it’s a good idea to hand over the free reign to the house. This would cheer them up, and somehow, they will find a job to keep themselves occupied until you return.

Stern further added that instead of leaving your dog all alone at once, start with short periods. First, leave them alone, say for two or three minutes, to take a shower. The bathroom breaks you take can then be extended slowly to see their reaction. Stern added: “Some dogs like to sit and look out the window and wait for you to come back. That’s OK. That’s the dog giving itself a job, and a lot of dogs really need a job.”

Final Verdict

Dogs got accustomed to their parents staying beside them at all times. Therefore, it would be tough to say goodbye to them every time you leave for work. If you have adopted a dog during the pandemic and it’s their first time staying apart from you, the process can be even more difficult. The trick is not to let them go all of a sudden. Help them all along the transition process and never miss out on the opportunities where you can bond really well, even if it’s only during the weekends. If you don’t reacquaint them to your renewed active lifestyle, they can act out. If you find yourself in a situation where you have been attacked or bit by a dog, the San Diego dog bite lawyers at The Dog Bite Law Group will be able to help.