While walking in the woods with my dog we crossed paths with a family out for a hike with the kids and the dog. I commented on what a beautiful day for a walk in the woods. The Mom laughed and said they were enjoying it but it was the dog’s 4th walk that day. “The kids get bored and I tell them to take the dog for a walk. He’s exhausted by the end of the day.” Here’s the good news. . . while sheltering in place, your dog has had the pleasure of your company, all day and night, for weeks. Here’s the potentially bad news. . . now you have to go back to work and your dog is stricken with long, lonely days and develops separation anxiety.

One of the wonderful things coming out of the pandemic is people taking advantage of their time at home and adopting animal companions. The humane community has had record breaking adoptions. However, these dogs will be the most vulnerable to experience separation anxiety as they struggle with the overall stress of rehoming and then being left alone as everyone returns to work and school.

How do you know if your dog is struggling? If, at the end of your first day back at work, you return home to torn up newspapers, chewed sofa cushions and complaints from the neighbors about your dog barking and howling, he is struggling with being left alone. Separation anxiety is a modest label for this devastating and destructive behavior. Most separation anxiety behavior happens within the first hour you are gone, versus, your dog is perfectly fine for the first few hours he’s alone, but after 4 hours the sofa cushions are toast. The latter is a dog that’s bored or has excessive energy.

There are things you can do right now to help your dog adjust when returning to the workplace becomes imminent. Here is a modification program from Pat Miller that will help your dog cope with life as it returns to a normal schedule.

Preventing Separation Anxiety in 10 Steps

By Pat Miller CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA

· Exercise your dog well before you leave. A tired dog has less energy with which to be anxious and destructive. End exercise sessions 20 to 30 minutes before you go, so he has time to settle down.

· Five minutes before you leave, give him a well-stuffed Kong to take his mind off your imminent departure.

· Make your departures and returns completely calm and emotionless. No huggy/kissy “Mummy loves you” scenes. If he gets excited and jumps all over you when you return, ignore him. Turn your back and walk away. When he finally settles down, say hello and greet him very calmly.

· Defuse the pieces of your departure routine by also doing them when you are not leaving. Pick up your car keys and sit down on the sofa to watch TV. Dress in your business suit and then cook dinner. Set your alarm for 5 a.m. on a Saturday, then roll over and go back to sleep.

· Mix up the pieces of your departure routine when you are leaving, so his anxiety doesn’t build to a fever pitch as he recognizes your departure cues. We are creatures of habit too, so this is hard to do, but can pay off in big dividends. Eat breakfast before you shower instead of after. Pick up your keys and put them in your pocket before you take your dog out for his final potty break. Put your briefcase in the car while you’re still in pajamas. Make the morning as unpredictable as possible.

· Use a “safe” cue such as “I’ll be back,” only when you know you’ll return within the time period your dog can tolerate. As suggested in Patricia McConnell’s wonderful booklet on separation anxiety titled “I’ll Be Home Soon,” this helps your dog relax, knowing he can trust you to return.

· Explore alternative dog-keeping situations to minimize the occasions when you do have to leave him alone – doggie daycare may be suitable for some dogs, but not for others. You may be able to find a neighbor or relative who is house-bound and might appreciate some canine companionship.

· If you are considering adoption of a second dog, try borrowing a calm, stable, compatible dog from a friend, to see if that helps to relieve your dog’s distress.

· Try using Thunder Dog’s Calm plug-ins and sprays in his environment to help ease his anxiety.

· Consider working with a behavior professional to be sure you’re on the right path – and to help you explore the possibilities of using anti-anxiety medications to maximize the effectiveness of your modification efforts.

Tools to Help with Separation Anxiety

Our stores offer many products that will help your dog get thru the long days without you.

· Kongs – a classic, safe rubber toy that comes in many shapes and sizes. Kongs can be stuffed with a wide variety of goodies to occupy your dog while you quietly leave the house. Shop Kong products here

· Rope toy – safe if ingested, rope toys can be given as is or soaked in stock and frozen. Shop rope toys here

· Sterilized bones – safe to be left with the dog. It can be stuffed with treats or smeared with peanut butter. Shop Sterilized bones here

· ThunderEase Dog calming diffusers and sprays – helps relieve anxiety and reduces stress with calming pheromones. Shop ThunderEase products here

· CBD products – our stores offer therapeutic CBD products in many forms. Great for relieving anxiety. Please contact any location for more information on our selection of CBD products

· I’ll Be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety by Dr. Patricia McConnell. A concise 38 page book, available in our stores.