Summer's over and your dog hasn't accepted it
Three months of having you at home and, suddenly, back to work. Here's how to help your dog cope with being home alone without the drama (or the shredded cushions).
Over the summer your dog has got used to the good life: shared naps, unhurried walks and your face round the clock. September arrives with timetables, alarm clocks and doors closing. For him, the change is abrupt, and it's perfectly normal for him to struggle.
The good news is that, with a little patience, getting back into the routine can be much easier for both of you.
Start before everything starts
If you can, don't wait until your first day back at work to leave him alone for eight hours. A few days beforehand, practise short absences: popping out for bread, a stroll round the block, running an errand. Gradually make the time longer.
Try, too, to ease back into the walk and mealtimes you'll have during the rest of the year. Dogs appreciate knowing what comes next.
Comings and goings without the theatrics
Long, emotional goodbyes tell your dog that something big is about to happen. And over-the-top homecomings tell him your absence was a tragedy. Ideally, leave and come back as casually as if you were nipping into the kitchen.
- Take him for a walk before you go, so he's tired and has done his business.
- Leave him an enrichment toy (the kind you fill with food) that only comes out when you're not there.
- Set up a comfy corner with his bed, fresh water and an item of clothing that smells of you.
- When you get back, greet him calmly and wait for him to settle before making a fuss of him.
Make home a nice place to stay
A bored dog finds his own entertainment, and it's usually your slippers. Sniffing toys, tough chews and snuffle mats for hunting out treats give him something to do with his head, which is just as tiring as running.
Some dogs relax with a bit of background noise, such as the radio on low. Give it a try and see how yours reacts.
When to ask for help
If he barks non-stop, wees every time you leave, damages doors or hurts himself trying to get out, it isn't bad manners: he may be having a genuinely hard time. In that case, talk to your vet, who can assess what's going on and, if needed, recommend a dog trainer.
And don't tell him off when you get home for whatever he did while you were out: he won't connect it with what happened, and it will only make him more anxious.
At Petuki you'll find enrichment toys and comfy beds so his corner is the best spot in the house while you're away.