June 21st – top tips for getting your dog ready for your return to work

Now we know that that life may return to some sort of normality in late June. If your work took you away from home for most of the day before the pandemic, chances are at some point in the second half of the year, your boss is going to want to see you in person. That’s going to mean leaving the house – so what if during the last 12 months, you have added a puppy to your household?

I have constantly been reminding people during lockdown to consider very carefully why they are buying a puppy. When you and the kids are at home all day it can seem like a great idea. What happens when you are all out though?

Get A Plan

It’s so important to plan ahead so that you avoid your dog suffering from separation anxiety. This may involved asking friends and family to help out. If this is your plan, make sure your dog is familiar with the person now. They need to know the commands you use for your dog, your routine with them. They need to walk them with you so they are familiar with the dog’s behaviour outside the house.

Deal With Controlling Behaviour

If your dog’s behaviour is far from perfect now, it’s only going to get worse when they are alone for long periods of time. Over-loving can create dominant and controlling behaviour like growling, biting and aggression towards other animals in the household. Set the boundaries now. Use a crate so your dog has a safe space to rest and play while you are out. Make sure they have periods of time away from you. Be calm when you are leaving the house and calm when you come back in so that they get used to you coming and going.

Enjoy Your Dog

Your time with your dog may change in June but your relationship shouldn’t. A healthy relationship means you don’t have to be with your dog 24 hours a day. Create quality time to exercise and train them now and continue this once you are back in the office.

Posted: March 2, 2021