If the number of cars on the road is any indication, people are starting to leave their homes again, at least here in Chicago. While it may take some time for us to adjust to being out in the world, leaving our homes on a regular basis and seeing people in person again, it is also an adjustment for our pets. And we can’t sit them down and talk through the changes and how they may feel about it and how to work through those feelings productively. I mean, I can barely articulate how I feel about it and I know how to use my words. So what can we do to help make the transition to the new, new normal go smoothly for our pets?

Start by breaking down the two big pieces of the change: limited access to you and restricted access to the home. Help your dog by getting her used to the fact that she is not always going to be able to walk up to you whenever she wants and she may no longer have free rein of the home. Working on this while you are still in the home should help avoid any panic when you do actually leave the home. Start by requiring more space and boundaries. Have her in another room, in a limited area even when you are around.

If you crate your dog, start putting her in her crate, in another room where she can’t see you for a few minutes a day a few times a day. She is going to have to be alone in your home eventually, so get her used to her own cozy little space. If your dog is lukewarm towards her crate, start with low pressure situations like putting her meals in the crate and leaving the door open. She can come and go as she likes. But she’ll get good stuff when she chooses to be in the crate. You can also work on closing the door for a few seconds, dropping some kibble in and then opening the door back up when she is calm. Slowly increase the amount of time that you have her in the crate with the door closed. You can also put a stuffed kong in her crate and let her enjoy a meal that way. You can check out our post about stuffed kongs if this is something that is new to you.

You can also create space from your dog with a leash, a dog bed and sturdy piece of furniture or a door. Attach the leash to the leg of a couch or something else your dog can’t pull over or pull around and put his dog bed next to the couch so that he can lay down and then go into another room. If your leash is thin, you can attach it to a door handle on the other side of the door so that when the door is closed you can’t see the leash handle. Our goal is again to get him used to being in a room by himself. This is another great time to get out a stuffed kong. Take your dog to his bed, attach his leash, give him the kong and walk away. Or if you're starting with your dog in the same room as you, toss him some kibble to reinforce what a great job he's doing.

Whether you are leaving your dog on his bed, or in his crate, be sure to stay calm when leaving your dog and when coming back. No matter how excited you are to see him when coming back into the room, don’t let yourself start gushing over how much you missed him and what a good dog he is, channel your inner spa attendant instead and speak slowly and quietly if at all. We want him to stay relaxed and calm so that you coming and going is no big deal and nothing to get worried or anxious about.

Work on building up the length of time your dog is away from you while you are at home so if you do go back to working outside the home, you being gone is no big deal.

If your transition to being outside your home isn’t going as smoothly as you’d like, let us know. We’re here to help you and your dog get back into the groove of the post quarantine life.

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