The APDT Chronicle of the Dog Summer 2020 | Page 34

FEATURE | AFTER THE QUARANTINE
AFTER THE QUARANTINE
Dogs may experience separation anxiety once we go back to work
By Jamie Gregory, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA
As I was walking my dog the other morning, I was thinking about how
happy dogs around the world must be having their owners home all
day due to social distancing. I then thought about how difficult it
might be for dogs to readjust when their owners return to work. This
has been a difficult adjustment and stressful time for everyone, including your
canine companions. Dogs are very intuitive; they feel stress and emotion. While
they are certainly loving all the extra time and attention from their owners right
now, unfortunately this will come to an end just as abruptly as it came upon us.
When we return to business as usual and the hustle and bustle of school, work,
and responsibilities, our dogs need to be prepared.
Dogs are pack animals; they are not meant to be isolated for long periods of
time. It is not natural for them to be alone. Dogs can become lonely, scared, and
anxious without their owners, and they can exhibit behavior problems due to separation
anxiety. Some breeds are more susceptible to
this than others. While dogs who have had issues with
separation anxiety in the past will suffer most, even
dogs without a history of separation anxiety might develop
these behaviors. Dogs who were previously left
for several hours a day or kept in a crate while their
owners were away, are now with their family full time.
Although we all wish our dogs could tell us how they
are feeling, we have to infer their emotions from their
behaviors. We cannot just sit a dog down and explain
these changes to them. While we know change is
coming and this time at home is temporary, our dogs
will only know that they are suddenly left alone. This
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