The first COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 marked the beginning of telecommuting for many workers. Feeling alone and with more time on their hands than usual, many people decided to bring a four-legged friend into their family. 

Fall 2021 is now upon us and many companies are preparing for a return to the office in the coming months. But what will happen to your dog when you leave for work and your kids head off to school? Here are a few tips to help you prepare your animal, ensure their psychological well-being and keep certain undesirable behaviours from developing while they spend their days alone. 

During the pandemic, many families became close with their dogs. If your puppy has never been alone for longer than the time it takes to run some errands or if your older furry companion’s routine was turned upside down by you working remotely, it’s going to be important to get them used to being alone before you have to leave for long periods on a regular basis.   

Bella prefers company 

When dogs are left alone before being accustomed to it, they can suffer psychologically. Boredom, separation anxiety, fear of their crate and hyper-attachment, for instance, can manifest in a wide range of behaviours.  

These states can cause your dog true psychological distress. That’s why it isn’t constructive to scold your dog if you see a mess when you get home. Similarly, a citronella or electric collar is not recommended for excessive vocalization. Such “solutions” will only mask the symptom of real anxiety and may drive your dog to other, more serious behaviours, such as self-injury.  

While an in-depth assessment is necessary to identify the disorder your dog is suffering from, certain behaviours when they are left alone can indicate that something wrong. These include: 

• Vocalizations (barking, howling, crying, etc.); 
• Destructive behaviours (chewing on objects, destroying them, eating the walls, etc.); 
• Uncleanliness;
• Loss of appetite;
• Self-mutilation (e.g., eating one’s paws); 
• etc.  

One thing is certain: No one wants to be forced to give up their animal for disturbing the neighbours or destroying the house! The good news is that proper preparation can help prevent these undesirable behaviours and thus abandonment. 

1. Balance your work with the exercise Luna needs
   
   Ask yourself if your return to the office will affect your animal’s exercise time. Will you have less time for walks? If the answer is yes, perhaps someone could come and walk your dog while you’re gone. If your dog gets along well with other dogs, they could also spend a few hours at the doggie daycare each week.  
   
   Allowing your dog to expend their energy and get some exercise is not only key to their well-being, it will go a long way in preventing unwanted behaviour while you’re away. 
   
   
   
2. Teach Rex to love his spot
   
   Since dogs are social animals, it’s not natural for them to be alone. Therefore, you need to teach them to like it. Find a safe spot in the house where Rex will stay while you’re away and create positive associations with that place. Although crates were long recommended, it is now considered preferable to opt for a pen or a closed room.  
   
   You can teach your dog to love their spot gradually. Start while you’re home by letting them do their favourite activities there alone. For instance:  
   
   – eating kibble, which you will have hidden in a snuffle mat;
   – working on getting frozen food out of a “Kong” toy;
   – spending time licking food from a licking mat.
   
   In short, the goal is for your dog to associate these enjoyable activities with the spot where they will stay while you are away.  
   
   
   
3. Plan a gradual return to your non-pandemic routine
   
   Now that your dog loves their room, it’s a good idea to continue to let them do their favourite activities there, even while you’re away. Take advantage of the last few weeks before you head back to the office to gradually get your dog used to being left alone. Once your dog is comfortable in the chosen location, leave the house for just a few minutes, then gradually increase the time you’re away over the next few weeks. By avoiding a drastic change, your companion will probably be less unsettled and better able to adapt to your new schedule.
   
   
   
4. Keep Rover busy while you’re at the office
   
   Is your work life leaving you little free time? No problem: get several Kong-type toys, fill them with your dog’s favourite foods and freeze them on Sundays so you’ll have one on hand whenever you’re away during the week. Preparation will make things easier for you and your canine friend. You’ll find more tips and tricks for stimulating your dog by clicking here.
   
   Here’s a non-exhaustive list of safe foods (unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian) to put in your dog’s interactive toys: 
   
   – Regular kibble
   – Canned dog food
   – Pumpkin puree
   – Peanut butter (preferably a natural, low-salt product)
   – Plain yogurt
   – Blueberries
   – Apples
   – Watermelon 
   
   
   
5. See if your employer is willing to implement an animal-friendly office policy 
   
   Remote work over the last two years has proven to many employers that employees are just as efficient at home as in the office—perhaps even more so! This new reality has also allowed workers to be closer to their families, including their four-legged friends.   
   
   A Banfield Pet Hospital survey of 500 senior executives from large companies in the U.S. found that at least half plan to allow their employees to head back to the office with their animals. Furthermore, 59% reported that the policy resulted from employee demand. Widespread telecommuting, combined with the recovering economy and labour shortage, is in employees’ favour: you are well positioned to demand the conditions suited to your new reality. So, have you asked your employer if you can bring Milou along?  
   
   

Consult a dog trainer   

You now have some tools to confidently and better prepare your return to the office. However, if you notice signs of psychological distress in your animal, don’t wait for the situation to deteriorate. Consult a certified dog trainer who takes an ethical approach. Note, however, that with the increase in adoptions during the pandemic, there has been a high demand for these specialists and so there may be a delay in getting an appointment. 

Your veterinarian can also provide advice and assistance, since medication may be required for severe conditions. You can also contact the Montreal SPCA for help by emailing comportement@spcamontreal.com. Our team of behaviour specialists can answer questions and guide you to the right resources. 

Amélie Martel
Animal Welfare Director