Tips to keep your dog busy and not lonely while you're away.
September is the month that marks the return to everyday life and obligations for all of us, after a period full of carefree holidays. As abrupt as the return to everyday life is for us, it is just as abrupt for our beloved dogs. The fact that from one day to the next they find themselves alone in an empty house, results in them feeling stressed and lonely.
The only thing that is certain is that seeing our dogs sad can ruin our own mood. However, since it is difficult to take our dog with us to work, as well as to limit the hours we are away from home, we need to find a way so that our absence does not make our dog so sad, but that he has just as much fun when he is home alone.
Separation anxiety and loneliness
The easiest way to understand the connection between separation anxiety and loneliness is to think of a dog living in a house with a large family. While it has spent three months with the children at home and a few weeks with the parents on vacation, within a few days the children return to school and the parents return to work, leaving it completely alone, very abruptly. Separation anxiety is also found in infants and toddlers when they are away from their parents for even a few hours, and it was very intense in pets after the coronavirus lockdown. Simply put, dog loneliness causes separation anxiety, which is a condition in which the dog shows intense stress from the moment you get ready until you cross the threshold of the door, but also throughout the entire time it is left alone.
Signs of separation anxiety?
It is very important to observe your dog to understand when his behavior changes. The following signs should make you think that your dog has separation anxiety. If you have any such suspicions, it is important to consult a trainer in addition to your veterinarian.
- Displays unusual behaviors
- He is very nervous.
- Becomes aggressive for no reason
- Panting, licking, crying
- Barks and destroys objects
- It blocks your exit.
Tips to keep your dog from feeling lonely
Leave and return home quietly , so that your departure goes almost unnoticed. This habit makes your dog understand that being left alone is not so sad.
Don't say goodbye to your dog as if you'll never see him again, and don't treat him when you return as if you've been gone for weeks.
A good tip is to take your dog for a long walk before you leave, so that he gets tired and falls asleep after you leave.
The most important thing is to keep your dog busy with various activities so that he doesn't focus on your absence and feel lonely. Make sure he has access to his favorite toys . Some experts think it's a good idea to get him some toys that you'll only give him when you're away, so that your absence has a positive side for him. You'll also find electronic interactive toys on the market to encourage interaction.
A game you can play with him while you're away is to hide some treats around the house so he can be occupied with a pleasant activity.
Leave the curtains open as dogs like to have access to the outside world and be able to see what's going on. Some choose to leave the TV or radio on.
In any case, before leaving the house, make sure the dog has access to fresh water and its favorite food.
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