How To Help Your Pup with Post-Quarantine Separation Anxiety

While most of us cannot wait for the quarantine to be over so we can get back to work and see our friends and families, our dogs may not feel the same way.  There is actually a high chance that our dogs will experience extreme separation anxiety when you return to work because they have gotten used to having us home all the time.  The American Veterinary Medical Association finds this troublesome because pre-quarantine, approximately 20-40% of dogs had been diagnosed with separation anxiety -- and this was even when they were not isolating with their owners.  As many of us, plan on returning to work to a location outside the home, we must be prepared and expect a change in our dog’s behavior.  By taking a proactive approach now, you can mitigate the post-quarantine dog separation anxiety and make this transition a more gentle and easy process for your furry companion. 

What does Dog separation anxiety look like?

Dogs thrive on consistency and predictability, so the change of not having you home as much will also be a huge stressor.  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals had said that this change can cause even the most well-behaved dogs to behave rather erratically.  In fact, experts believe that dogs that have never shown separation anxiety in the past may actually be most at risk because your furry companions have less of an understanding of what may happen when they are left alone.

Separation anxiety can trigger behaviors like:

• Defecating
• Howling
• Urinating
• Chewing
• Attempts to escape

Some anxious dogs could partake in coprophagia, where they defecate and then consume their own feces.  And not only is separation anxiety psychologically damaging to your dog, but ASPCA reports that stressed pets could attempt to dig and chew through doors and windows, which could ultimately result in self-injury.  They could experience damaged nails, cut and scraped front paws, and broken teeth.

Slowly get your dog used to being away from you

Experts advise that you should start acclimating your dogs now so that there is a bit of a transitional period between the present time and when the quarantine ends.  The end goal is for you to train your dog to be okay with more and more alone time.  One of the most important things that you can do right now is to establish a routine that closely resembles one they had before the lockdown was issued.  You can start by gradually incorporating more absences to teach your dog that absences are okay and safe.  We know how hard it is to abandon your fur baby -- even if it is for a couple of minutes -- as we have become very dependent on our furry companions during this lockdown.  However, for the future health of your dog, you must be strong and begin these exercises.

Do a trial run, and observe your dog’s behavior

To test how your dog would react to you leaving the home, set up a pet camera, and observe your dog’s behavior.  Even if they had not struggled with separation anxiety in the past, you may be surprised to see your dog howl and act anxiously at your departure.  So before doing anything else, determine how soon after you leave your dog’s panic begins.  Does your dog bark and have an accident immediately after you leave the house?  Are they relatively relaxed for a couple of minutes until they display anxious behavior?  Using that pet camera will be crucial for observing your dog’s behavior so you can get a good sense of how they are feeling when you leave.

After gauging your dog’s anxiety levels, try leaving the house more frequently and for lengthier times.  We suggest that you do this at least three times a week.  For dogs who are extremely anxious, three times maybe too much.  In that case, gradually build up to where you are leaving at least three times a week.

More alone time does not mean less affection!

While establishing that space from your dog is important, do not withhold your affection from your dog when you are together.  Give them all the love and attention that they are used to receiving.  Expects actually say that dogs can get worse if owners withhold their attention and affection.  This will just exaggerate their stress, and make their behaviors even worse.

Additional resources and tips to mitigate dog separation anxiety

Canine specialists also advise enrichment activities such as crate training and interactive toys.  If you don’t have much space in your home where you can put your dog in another room, try even training your dog to perform an out-of-sight “stay” command through a bathroom door. 
There are also many products on the market that can help you during this time.  We suggest:

• Dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP)
• Comfort vests
• White noise
• Probiotics

Another solution to easing your dog into separation is to drop them off at doggy daycare for a couple of hours.  K9U is considered an essential business and most of our services are available -- including pickups and dropoffs.  Many dogs are still coming here each day, and you can take advantage of this! While you are separated from your dog, they won’t feel too alone because they will have other dogs to play with!  Also, while at the doggy daycare, your pup can participate in some dog training sessions to divert their attention from their separation anxiety.  You can even have a dog walker walk them a few times a week.

You may also check out our previous blog on puppy separation anxiety for more in-depth guidance on dealing with a new puppy’s separation anxiety.

Ease Your Dog Into Post-lockdown Normalcy

While it seems like the quarantine is going to last forever, the earlier you start this separation anxiety training process, the better it will be for your dog.  Start a schedule where you leave the home several times a week.  Take advantage of that time.  Use those days to go for a nice long walk, sit outside for half an hour, or do some essential grocery shopping.  Throughout this entire process, remember to be patient and persistent.

Stay safe, and happy training.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/post-quarantine-dog-separation-anxiety/

K9U Chicago Community Update During Coronavirus

Our clients and friends,

We hope you are all well and remaining healthy.

Like everyone, we are keeping up to date on the ever-changing information surrounding COVID-19. As a small business in an underserved area of Chicago we are committed to remaining open so our staff will continue to have gainful employment while we implement additional measures to ensure the safety of our team, clients and all dogs in our care.

We have received an official exemption letter granting K9U Chicago permission to operate during the Shelter in Place order by the state.  K9U Chicago is considered an "essential business" and most of our services are available, including dog shuttle (dog -pick-up and drop-off),  during the coronavirus outbreak and stay-at-home order.  We have instituted some minor adjustments such as contactless checkin. Many dogs are still coming here each day - they deserve socialization and exercise, regular grooming, and positive training. According to the CDC, they cannot get the coronavirus.  We also provide boarding services for several area shelters that do not have the capacity to house homeless dogs waiting for adoption.

Many of our clients are nurses, doctors, police officers and first responders, Amazon Prime and Grubhub drivers and others who are providing essential services to Chicagoans during this difficult time.  Several of our clients are in the at-risk groups for COVID-19 and have let us know they are self-quarantining or self-isolating and can not care for their dogs themselves.

A reminder, as many of you already know there is currently no evidence that pets will become sick from COVID-19 and no evidence that pets can be a source of the virus. Source: AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).

Effective immediately we are executing these new safety protocol measures:

• We are sanitizing and disinfecting all surfaces several times a day in both our lobbies, retail area, restrooms and in our training center.
• We are also requiring team members to frequently wash their hands properly and we are providing access to hand sanitizer for everyone working at K9U Chicago as well as our clients.
• We will be modeling social distancing and safe greetings with each other and all clients. So if you don't receive a hug or handshake as part of your daily routine with us, we know you will understand.

This pandemic is forcing all of us into a new normal. We can handle it together and we will get through this together with patience, understanding and a commitment to maintaining safety. Safety means sanitizing our workplace and safety means providing consistent employment to team members that work hard every day serving our wonderful clients and their amazing dogs.

Thank you for being a valued member of our community and thank you for trusting us with the care of your dog. We are closely monitoring the news regarding this situation and will stay connected to each of you with any new developments.

Stay safe and be well,

- Ruby, Marcos, Mariya and everyone at K9 University Chicago

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/coronavirus-community-update/

The Importance of Exercise for Dogs

The importance of exercise for dogs is crucial to your pet’s health, but we don’t always take the time to give them the workout they deserve. Thankfully, no matter how small your home is or how busy your schedule is, there’s always time to find a moment to exercise.

Why does a dog need exercise?

Just like humans, dogs need exercise to maintain heart health, to keep busy, to develop their brains, and to burn calories. So, as canine caretakers, it’s our job to create a routine that includes daily exercise for our dogs. When dogs don’t get enough exercise, they may:

• Gain weight
• Become depressed
• Have hyperactive moments
• Suffer from lack of endurance
• Exhibit destructive behavior

As you can see, ignoring the need for daily exercise can have negative impacts on your dog’s health.

How much exercise does a dog need?

All dog breeds need exercise. Exercise for dogs is one of the main components of dog care. However, some dog breeds need more training than others. For instance, breeds with high energy, such as a Border Collie, will require more exercise than say, a Bulldog. In general, a healthy dog should get 30 minutes to 2 hours of exercise per day. This includes their daily walks if they are brisk.

Senior dogs also need exercise, but their endurance may not be what it once was. Eventually, her runs may become walks, and she may be limited to a few turns before she becomes winded. When it comes to exercising your senior dog, talk to your veterinarian. They’ll help you decide what’s best for your pet.

The important thing to remember is to meet your dog where they are. If your dog suffers from a medical condition, it will impact their ability to exercise. According to the American Kennel Club, “Your dog’s health is also important. If your adult dog has a medical condition, such as hip dysplasia or heart or respiratory issues, talk with your vet about an appropriate exercise routine that will help him stay healthy without causing him discomfort.”

What exercise for dogs can you do at home?

Whether you want to play indoors or outdoors, there are plenty of exercises and activities for dogs you can do to get your dog’s heart pumping that’s more exciting than their daily walk:

Fetch

This go-to exercise for dogs is a fantastic activity. Work on your throwing arm while your dog runs to locate the ball. The best part about playing fetch? You can do it almost anywhere: inside, at the dog park, in a forest clearing, or your yard. Wherever you have space to move, you can play fetch.

Hiking

Nothing like tapping into the great outdoors for exercise opportunities. Exercise for dogs outside is easy when you have access to some green space. Chicago is full of dog-friendly forest preserves. Find ones with hiking trails so that you and your pup can get some fresh air and navigate the rugged terrain. Forest preserves are open year-round. So, if you are comfortable hiking in the winter, and you prepare your dog for the temperatures, this is a year-round activity.

Obedience

Obedience might not seem like an exercise, but it is. Training your dog to follow a series of commands offers the kind of mental stimulation some dogs thrive one. You can work in some fun tricks such as “playing dead” or twirling that require more bodywork and thus increase their heart rates up.  You may consider putting your dog through a dog obedience course to get some physical and mental exercise.

If your dog excels in obedience training and you wish to offer a more challenging routine, agility training might be right up their alley! Agility training can be done in a larger facility, like the one at K9U, or done at home from a course of your own making. All you need are some hula-hoops, boxes, and broom handles, and you’ve got yourself a homemade agility course.

Stairs

Using stairs in your home or a flight outside is an excellent way to get your and your dog’s heart pumping. This short exercise only needs to be repeated a couple of times to give your dog a good workout. Just remember that if your dog struggles with joint issues, this might be the wrong workout for them.

Create Memories While Keeping your Dog in Top Physical and Mental Shape with Regular Exercise 

Starting an exercise routine with your dog doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, it’s a great way for both of you to get a workout. Remember, you can work exercise into your day in short bursts, either by playing fetch indoors or running up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. At the end of the day, it’s about making an exercise plan that works for you and your pet.

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THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/importance-of-exercise-for-dogs/