Is your dog struggling to adapt to an empty nest?

Our dogs are highly social creatures of habit. They’ve had us to themselves in a unique way during lock down, with round the clock company and cuddles. Some dogs, especially those that met their families during lock down, may struggle to adjust to a new routine in an empty house now their humans have gone back to work.

Here are a few pointers to help you support your dog on the road to independence.

Slowly increase your time away

The goal is for your pooch to feel calm and relaxed while you are away.

Get your dog used to being alone by leaving the house for a few minutes, then 15 minutes, half an hour, and so on, until you are mimicking the time you’ll be away at work. 

If your dog is highly anxious, try separating yourself in another part of the house first. 

Return when your dog is calm, before anxiety kicks in. When you come and go, be upbeat but low-key to help them stay relaxed. 

Dogs don’t know how to switch themselves out of play and excitement mode, so make sure they are chilled out and settled before you leave them.

Gradually, they’ll adjust to a new routine and learn to trust that you’ll come home.

Leave a stimulating activity

Reward your dog with something to enjoy in your absence. Stuff a kong with a healthy treat or give them an interesting chewy toy. Hide them around the back yard, maybe even bury them, and make a game of it. 

This is a great way for your pup to pass time and stay stimulated while you are away. Look online for healthy treat recipes and toy ideas.

Walk together every day

Every dog needs exercise. It’s important and not all dog owners find the time to do it. 

Some breeds need more of a workout than others. Dogs bred to work (like Kelpies, Australian Shepherds and Border Collies) need more exercise. These dogs are designed to run and work all day. They aren’t meant to be locked up in a small back yard.

Go for regular walks off the property. It’s not just about exercise, it’s about mental stimulation. Most dogs thrive on exploring new sights and smells. 

Keep in mind that nervous dogs may find unfamiliar environments unsettling. In this case, stick to your usual route and limit surprises.

Two walks a day is even better! One before you go and another after you get home. A tired dog is usually a happy dog.

Give them your undivided attention

Form a routine and give your dog your full attention before you leave the house and after you get back. It sounds simple but it’s easy to forget to do this when are busy.

Build a trusting relationship with your pet. They’ll learn that you always return.

Use a diffuser to soothe nerves

For dogs with mild anxiety, try using an Adaptil diffuser or spray. It emits synthetic pheromones that can help some dogs feel calm and secure, like they are back drinking milk from their mum. A diffuser may not be enough for a very anxious dog.

Leave your dog inside

If your dog is more relaxed inside, then this can be a workable solution, as long as you manage toilet access.

Be aware that leaving a dog in a crate or highly restricted space for a full work day is not acceptable. It could potentially cause loss of muscle tone and toileting issues. Crate training should only be for short periods of time.

Leaving your dog loose in the house or back yard are reasonable options.

Is it boredom or genuine anxiety?

Your dog is unhappy. You need to work out if they are anxious or bored. This can be tricky if the behaviour only happens when you are away. 

Set up a camera and record their behaviour in your absence over a few days. The footage can be helpful to you and your vet in working out if your dog has environmental triggers that can easily be changed, or if they have developed separation anxiety, which needs to be treated.

If the behaviour is driven by boredom, there are many easy solutions: toys, healthy treats, a walk before you leave, or a dog walker or visitor. Ringwood Vet Clinic doesn’t recommend medication for boredom. 

If your dog is not adjusting to being left alone and is becoming destructive (damaging your property or in danger of injuring themselves), it could be separation anxiety.

In this case, your dog needs to be assessed by a vet. A treatment plan for anxiety might include medication and a few sessions with a recommended trainer or dog behaviourist.

Dog training

Be aware that dog training is still an unregulated industry in Australia. Anybody can call themselves a dog trainer. Find a good one through your vet or a reliable recommendation, rather than looking on your own.

A professional dog trainer will help you change your dog’s behaviour using positive reinforcement (reward rather than punishment).

Behaviour therapy

A dog behaviourist will desensitise your pet to a very small amount of what makes them anxious and gradually build exposure.

They’ll also use counter-conditioning to change a stimulus or situation that gives your dog negative emotions. The dog is reconditioned to have positive emotions in the same situation using positive reinforcement (rewarding with healthy treats, attention and games).

Consider your dog’s daily routines

Stimulation, exercise and attention are often all it takes to lift an unhappy dog out of the doldrums. With a bit of foresight and planning, you can help your canine family member adapt to spending more time apart from the pack. 

If you have exhausted these options and your pooch is still distressed, team up with your vet and do some sleuth work. Workable solutions are never far away.