JULY 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 45
PRESS PETS
BACK TO WORK
MITIGATING PET ANXIETY
BY ALLISON MATOS
As many of us are heading back into the
office, both experienced and new pet
owners may be concerned about how
their dogs will handle the change.
Evee Linden, CPDT-KA, Certified Dog
Behavioral Consultant and Fear Free
Certified Professional, suggests starting
by recreating the schedule you had
prepandemic.
“Begin by getting yourself dressed and
ready to leave your home, walk your
dog and leave the house for 30 minutes
and then come back,” says Linden. “Continue
to increase your time outside the
home and remember to go slow. Build
up to a full day away from your pet.”
In conjunction with providing physical
activity, it’s also important to provide
mental stimulation in your absence, as
a bored and restless pup may be more
likely to exhibit behavioral issues.
“Dogs love chew bones and puzzle
games,” says Linden. “There are many
stimulating products on the market
such as PupPod, which allows dogs to
earn food rewards by touching a pod
at the correct time. Or a simple and
less expensive option such as a Kong
Wobbler will keep them busy as well.”
Do keep in mind that if you have
multiple dogs, you’ll need to consider
guarding issues before leaving a toy
that contains food or treats. For more
mellow dogs, try keeping the radio or
television on in your absence, but avoid
loud shows or rock music genres. Stick
with classical music if possible.
In the event you begin to notice extreme
behavioral issues such as aggression or
depression, it’s recommended that you
contact an expert.
“There are training programs specifically
designed for pets with separation
anxiety issues taught by trainers
with specialized certifications,” she
says, directing pet parents to malenademartini.
com. She adds that if all else
fails and fur babies are still having
issues, contact your veterinarian for
guidance.
“This adjustment may not be as hard as
people think,” she says. “Many people
have been venturing out little by little
for quite some time now. As the world
began opening up, people have been
slowly implementing normalcy by
running to the store, going for a hike,
or grabbing a bite to eat. There is a possibility
your dog may have regressed
during our time in quarantine, but
maybe not.”
Bottom line: stay tuned in to your
pet’s needs and allow time for slow
adjustment. This will ensure an easy
transition for both you and your pet.
Understanding your dogs needs as you go back to work is key (Getty Images)
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