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Holiday
vacations are fast becoming a memory, and the family dog
might feel a touch of separation anxiety creeping in.
After
spending days and days at home, spoiling the dog and cat
with treats and affection, we're back to the usual
ritual: up early, out the door and headed for work.
Maybe
like me, you've come home from a long day at work to
find the house a bit upturned.
Yesterday
(my first full day back at work in a bit), yielded a
treasure of tidbits scattered about the house: I opened
the door to see Lily, my "middle" cat streak
by with tissue streaming from her jaws. Gotcha!
If you
are struggling with a pet's anxiety, take a few simple
steps to curb their fear:
Dust off
the dog crate. Dogs often benefit a safe haven, and you
need some peace of mind. The crate, which is not a
device for punishment, helps owners reset alpha roles
and at the same time provides safe respite for the
animal. This is also a good tip for a dog that is
showing aggressive tendencies with toys or if you share
a bed.
Chew
toys: Invest in some hardy distractions like a jumbo
Kong. Stuff it with peanut butter and kibble. The dog
will spend a lot of its initial anxiety when you leave
(or go to bed) by trying to lick out the treats. Do not,
however, leave a dog unattended with rawhide chews, as
they can pose a serious choke hazard. Nylabones are
durable and should be given to dogs that don't chew and
gulp in big bites.
Goodbye
exercise: Trainers recommend an exercise of quiet
homecomings.
The goal
is to leave the house and return with little fanfare in
increments of 2, 5, 8, 10, and 15 minutes, and so on.
Do NOT
greet the dog. Enter the house, spend some time doing
whatever, and then leave again.
Come back
in 5 minutes. Repeat. Leave for 8 minutes, etc.
This
process tells the dog, hey, I'm back ... and I'll keep
coming back.
Exercise:
Remember, a tired dog (or cat) is more likely to sleep
while you're gone. Walk the dog before you leave. Run
the cat with help from an interactive toy. Give the dog
a reliable chew toy, pat them on the head, tell them
you're going to work, and then scat. Eventually, the
ritual should set in.
Don't
forget about the crate. Use it for highly anxious pets
that need a safe place to spend eight or nine hours.
You'll appreciate a tidy, unchewed home, and your dog
(and you) will be calmer in the long run.
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