How To Prepare Your Dog For When You Return To Work?

The COVID pandemic and continues lockdowns has changed our day to day routines. Non-essential businesses have been forced to close and more people are working from home, even the size of our social circles have decreased drastically. These changes not only affected people, but they affected our pets as well. During this last year, many of us got to spend more quality time with our furry friends, and for most families their pets were seldom left alone.

As the restrictions in Ontario begin to loosen, it means more people are beginning to return back to work, which can be tough on our pets, especially since they have been so use to us being by their side for the past year.

Below, we explore how you can help prepare your dog for when you return to work.

Start Working on Your Routine

Once you return to work, your routine will surely change. The sooner you are able to get your dog accustomed to your new routine, the easier it will be when you return to work. Begin by taking your dog out for early morning walks and evening walks, as these are the times you will more likely walk your dog when you return to work.

Try reducing the amount of time spent with your dog during the day, and make sure that they have toys that will keep them busy during this time. If you are still working from home, try closing the door to your office, leaving your furry friends to keep themselves entertained.

Leave Your Pet Home Alone

Start leaving your dog home alone for a small duration of time. Before you leave and when you return, do not make a big deal or create excitement, as you don’t want to get your dog worked up over your departure and arrival. These emotions can lead to anxiety. Before leaving, give your dog a toy or a treat to help them associate positive feelings with your departure. Gradually increase the amount of time you are away until your dog is comfortable being alone for several hours. If you are curious how they are acting at home alone, you can set up a few internal cameras to monitor their behaviour while you are away.

Take Them to a Dog Daycare

Taking your dog to a dog daycare will not only help them with their anxiety, it will help your puppy with interacting with other dogs and people. Especially after a year of isolation, socializing your dog with other dogs and people will help them behave better around others. Dog daycare is a great way for your dog to use up their energy while you are away at work, playtime, snack time and rest time are all incorporated in your dog’s day at a dog daycare.

It is good to take your dog to a daycare once or twice a week, even when you are still working at home. This will help your pup get accustomed to the routine of spending the day away, as well as familiarize them with the facility, the staff and the other dogs. Once you return to work, you will be comfortable knowing your dog is well taken care of.

Having the opportunity to spend extra time with our dogs has definitely been one of the few benefits from all the craziness caused by the pandemic. Making sure your dog is mentally and emotionally prepared for your return to work and the loss of constant available attention is an important step to ensure your dog doesn’t suffer separation anxiety. Getting them use to the new routine early, providing them with more time alone, and letting them use their energy reserves playing and running around a local dog daycare are all great ways to help your dog prepare for your return to work.