Preparing your dog for
when you go back to work
While your dog loves that you’re working from home
and with them all day, what about when you go back to work? There’s a real chance of separation anxiety –
but you can take steps now to prepare your dog for ‘normality’ resuming. I saw this really good article on Petbond.ie
from the Irish Kennel Club about COVID-19 and your dog and it suggests what you
can do:
·
Try and structure your day like a normal
working day – for example, don’t have the dog with you all the time – have him/her
in a separate room while you are working – very hard to do I know but it’s
better for your dog in the longer term – otherwise withdrawing the 24 hour
access when you go back to work will be a massive shock for the dog;
·
They recommend introducing a play time
signal (any novel object or clothing which appears when play starts and is
removed when play stops) so the dog knows when you are going to interact with
it. You can use your “coffee break” to leave the “desk” and then go into the
dog and play for a few minutes before returning to work.
·
As we try to resist repeated trips to the
fridge for ourselves (my comment not the IKC’s!!), try not to give your dog extra
treats.
Other topics dealt with in this excellent
feature include:
·
Can your dog become ill from or transmit
COVID-19?
·
Can I exercise my dog in public?
·
What if my dog gets ill?
·
Food
(Photo: Halfpoint/stock.adobe.com)
Pete
the Vet - COVID-19 and Pets
On Ireland AM, Virgin
Media One, Pete the Vet answered viewers’ questions about COVID-19 and
pets. A couple of the questions were:
·
Q:
How does COVID-19 affect pets?
o
A:
Pets don’t get COVID-19 – the only but unlikely way they may pass it on is if
the owner has the virus and sneezes on a dog’s coat. So the advice is maintain social distancing
between pets when out walking as well as humans;
·
Q:
If I’m ill, should I wear protective gear when feeding my pet?
o
A:
The sensible advice is if you’re feeling ill – with whatever – keep your distance
from your pets until you feel better.
But there’s no need to wear protective gear.
Check out the other 3
questions and answers in the link below – both written and video versions
(though reception on video not great)…..
