Lockdown from Your Dog’s Perspective!

2020 has been a unique year, with everyone’s lives changed in some way or another. This experience has not been limited to humans, it has also impacted on our pets, which can often be over-looked or misunderstood. Dogs are very sensitive to change, they prefer a routine, a great example being at feeding time, many of our dogs know the time they are normally fed, and will be very anxious if their meal is delayed, others will patiently wait by the door or window at the time of day their owner returns home from work. For those dogs normally used to spending solitary time during the working day, their routines have been dramatically changed, from having plenty of free/sleep time, to suddenly becoming the centre of attention, seven days a week. Especially within families with children, cut off from their friendship groups, and without school, our four-legged friends have found themselves, occupied for most of the day. This type of attention for many dogs, not used to constant noise and activity can be quite exhausting! All change again, during late summer /early Autumn, many of us returning to work, kids back at school and previous routines returning for many of our pets, houses changing from a hive of activity to quiet empty places, normality returning. Just as we have all re-adjusted, a new different Lockdown has returned, with many experts predicting this will continue through to Christmas – change again! In order to maintain balance within your dog’s life, it may be advisable to prepare your dog now, so that when the inevitable return to normality happens, they are better prepared. To help your dog to cope with future separation issues, provide them with independent activities, a chew or soft toy, to keep themselves occupied without needing re assurance. They can also be left in separate parts of the house or garden, this will provide solitary time again. If you feel or have noticed your dog’s behaviour changing or seems strange, then please be patient and understanding, and help them re-adjust to the ever changing world we now find ourselves in!