With a novel coronavirus pandemic currently sweeping the world, we have spent the last few weeks adjusting to a new routine.
In the UK, lockdown rules are currently in place, with most of us instructed to stay at home wherever possible and only leave the house to get essential shopping, exercise for up to an hour, or help vulnerable friends and family.
Of course, there are some positives for many people; furlough from your job means that you’re essentially being paid 80% of your wage to chill out at home, while those who can work from home get to do it from their sofa in pyjamas. But there are also plenty of challenges, like helping kids keep up with school work when they can’t go into school and keeping them entertained when they can’t see their friends, or effectively communicating with colleagues via email and video chat.
Like us humans, dogs are also likely to find this change difficult. With doggy daycare centres around the country closed down, dogs who’re used to seeing their friends and playing all day are now stuck at home with less exercise and more people around, a huge change to their routine. All of this can mean that our dogs might be displaying more problem behaviours than normal, especially if they are feeling either bored or overstimulated. But the good news is that there’s plenty you can do in order to make sure that your dog can adjust to the changes and be more comfortable.
Provide Them with a Safe Space:
First of all, if your house is unusually busy right now, your dog should be given a safe, quiet space in the house where they can spend time uninterrupted when they need to get away from it all and have some alone time. This could be in a spare bedroom, your bathroom or a utility room, or place a bed under a desk or in the corner of a quieter room in the house. If your dog is crate trained, this can also be an excellent option, as it feels safe and secure for the dog, especially with a blanket over the top and a comfortable bed and some favourite toys and chews inside.
Consider Dietary Needs:
Processed dog food is very rich in carbohydrates that your dog simply doesn’t need. Now that you’re spending more time than usual with your dog, you might be noticing some things that you didn’t before, which can be fixed with a dietary switch. Raw feeding is an excellent option as it ensures that your dog is provided with all the nutrients that they need from raw muscle meat, bones, organ meat and some fruits and vegetables.
Bella and Duke is a great option for anybody looking to switch their dog to a raw diet. You can order pre-made, nutritious raw food meals for your dog that ensure all their dietary needs are met, and you can freeze the food when you buy in bulk. If you’re beginning to wonder whether or not your dog would benefit from switching to a raw food diet during the lockdown, head to their website for a ton of useful information.
Make Sure They’re Getting Enough Sleep:
Adult dogs need an average of 12-16 hours a day sleep, and younger dogs and puppies will need even more. Since most dogs will catch up on their sleep during the day when their families are out at work and school, having everyone constantly around during the lockdown means that many dogs just aren’t getting enough sleep, which can leave them grouchy, just like humans. Make sure that your dog has a quiet spot with a comfy bed in the house where they can go to snooze without being disturbed by kids or video conferences and make sure that everybody knows not to disturb the dog when she is having a nap.
Make the Most of Walkies:
The current guidance around the UK lockdown says that we can leave the house once per day for up to an hour for exercise, which includes walking the dog. If you live with another adult, you could both take your dog out for an hour each, which is ideal for a dog who needs two walks a day. But for many dogs, this means that a one hour walk a day has to suffice. If this is the case, make sure that you are making the most of that precious walk time. If you can, take your dog to somewhere where you can let him off the lead and play a game of fetch and let him run around. Some dogs benefit from walking early in the morning and getting all their energy out first thing, while others are better walked later on in the day. Try varying the time you take your dog out for a walk to figure out when’s best for you and your dog. It’s advised to exercise near your home, so if you usually drive somewhere to walk, it’s worth looking up alternative routes within walking distance from your home.
Offer Mental Stimulation:
Giving your dog something to do with their brain is just as important as getting them out for walkies every day. Your dog will easily become bored without something to do and this can quickly lead to destructive behaviour like chewing up your shoes when you’re on a Zoom call. Thankfully, keeping your dog entertained isn’t difficult at all. You can provide them with treat-dispensing puzzle games to play on their own if you are working from home or hide treats around the house in hard-to-reach places and let them spend time sniffing them out. If you’re not working right now, there are plenty of fun things that you can do to keep your dog entertained like teaching them new tricks, setting up an obstacle course in your garden or simply playing tug-o-war.
Be Patient:
Finally, it’s important to bear in mind that these are unusual and difficult times for us all right now, including your dog. A sudden change in a dog’s routine can lead to them being stressed and as a result, they might display some new undesirable behaviours or regress in their training; this is perfectly normal for a dog who’s experiencing a big change and you should continue being patient with him and use positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour and help your dog get used to their change in routine. If you’re struggling with new behaviours that your dog is displaying due to the changes, you might find it useful to speak to a positive reinforcement-based dog trainer, with many offering video sessions.
Remember that dogs can also pick up on your feelings, so if you’re feeling particularly stressed out right now due to current circumstances, your dog will notice that something is wrong. So, try and stay calm around your dog, as they’re probably feeling as confused as you are.
Lockdown isn’t just stressful for people; dogs can feel the effects too. By staying positive and calm around your dog, you can help make the transition easier on them and help them get used to the new routine that they’ve suddenly found themselves in.
