For the past twelve months or more, the U.S. has faced a challenge like no other. The coronavirus pandemic altered our professional and personal lives. Millions of people were forced to work from home to protect themselves from this pandemic. During this time, there was a surge in the number of dog adoptions and the time spent with existing pets all across the U.S. After one year of spending great times together, it may be time to return to work and start leaving your dog home alone. Before you get ready to get back to work at the office, it is necessary to take specific steps to train your dog and avoid any potential issues. Our Atlanta dog sitters from Critter Sitters explain.
How Can I Train My Dog to Be Ok When I Return to the Office Post-Pandemic?
If you have been working from home or have spent a lot of time with your dog due to the pandemic, it is essential to care for them when you return to work full time at the office. Preparing your dog for your return to work is crucial. Most pups are affectionate and very close to their moms and dads. A sudden separation from them could be hard on them, especially after getting used to having you around every day, all day.
The progress made by healthcare workers and the advanced recovery through vaccination has made it possible to start getting back on track. While this may be excellent news for you, it may not necessarily be the same for Fido. To make sure your pet is ready for your return to your everyday return to the office, we recommend you do the following:
Set Up a Routine
The first step you should take is to establish a routine. Since your dog has become used to being around you, leaving suddenly off to work can cause separation anxiety. Separation anxiety – as the name suggests – can make your dog feel anxious and nervous because they do not understand why you are not at home.
Creating a routine where you can spend less time with your pup can help them get used to not having you around that often. For instance, creating a structured schedule that includes playing time, walking, and meals can help them feel like everything will be ok. You should stick to this routine so your pup can associate those activities with the time you will be around. It is recommended to set up your routine for the evenings when you return from work. However, make sure they have enough water and all they need to be safe throughout the day.
Train Your Dog
To avoid getting your dog anxious due to your departure to work, it is recommended to start the training phase as early as you can. Dogs respond well to established routines. Therefore, training your pup consistently – and early – can help them respond well to live without you for a couple of hours. As a general rule of thumb, it would be wise to give your pet a treat every time you go out. This includes every time you go out to pick up the mail, go for a quick jog, or get groceries. Your pup then can associate you leaving the house with an “it is going to be ok” situation.
This will help your fluffball to get used to not being around you all the time and prepare them to be ok when you return to work at the office. If you feel like it will work, try to leave things as they were at home. For instance, leaving the TV or radio on can help your pup feel entertained and like you are there.
Test Leaving Your Dog Alone
It may be hard to let go of your loving furry buddy after so many months at home. However, it is essential to leave them alone for extended periods. It may be heartbreaking at first – we know; we have been there too – but it will get better as time goes by. This does not mean you have to start leaving them alone for eight hours right from the get-go. Try practicing leaving them in half-hour chunks at first. Then ramp the time up for an hour. Keep repeating these steps as you get them closer to the amounts of hours they will be left alone during the day. This way, you can help them feel ok and so will you.
Buy Dog Toys
An anxious dog can be really messy and get out of control really fast. If your pup is not used to having you away, and they don’t have anything to keep themselves busy, they will turn to the next best thing available: your furniture. If you want to avoid returning to a disaster zone on your way back home, get your pup as many toys as you can. Also, leave them enough food and water. You will be glad you did.
It is essential to keep your pup’s well-being in check for when you return to work. Nothing can be more challenging for your pup than see you go for hours without having an idea why. It is essential to understand that dogs – like many other pets – are affectionate and emotional. Therefore, taking good care of your pup requires meeting the steps mentioned above. If you can’t get at home early for some reason, you can always retain the services of a professional dog sitter.
Professional Dog Sitters Serving Atlanta and the Surrounding Areas
As more people get vaccinated, and the virus gets under control, more people will start returning to their offices to work as they did twelve months ago. This means your dog will need to readjust after spending a lot of time around you. There may be times where you may not make it home on time, which can cause your pup to worry and get anxious. However, you do not have to worry, because our Alpharetta dog sitters from Critter Sitters can help you take good care of your pup when you go back to the office. To learn more about our services, call our office today at (404) 793-6178.
