While some can’t wait for stay at home orders to be lifted and to get back to some regular activities and work, experts say this may cause some stress and separation anxiety for canine companions who have grown accustomed to their owners being at home and at their beckon call 24/7.  This break in routine which has become so familiar to many pups over the past few months can sometimes cause excessive chewing, digging, and even defecating amongst other unwanted changes in behavior. 

In order to keep Fido cool, calm and collected, it’s important to find ways to reassure your pet that being separated for longer periods is ok. According to separation anxiety specialist Malena DeMartini-Price, “it’s a gradual process of using small absences that start to teach the dog that absences are safe.” How can you implement these small absences into your own home and get used to being away from your pet yourself? Here are some tips to start settling into a new normal:

• Ask your dog to stay in an area out of sight from you such as in a bathroom with the door open for increasing blocks of time and give rewards too
• Keep your pup engaged through training activities such as crate training, basic commands, and utilizing interactive toys
• Use white noise when you’re gone or soothing music as a calming effect while you’re away
• Start leaving your dog in a play area or in a crate away from you for increasing intervals even when you are home and venture out once in a while to get them used to not hearing you

To read more and find more tips, visit https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/dogs-extreme-separation-anxiety-after-quarantine-experts-say.