Since dogs thrive with a routine, changes to our circumstances and schedules can really mess with their heads. Unfortunately, the PDSA surmises folks who adopted dogs when they were working from home or spending almost all of their time indoors during the pandemic are now realizing how time-consuming dog ownership really is.
Even dogs who were already family members before the pandemic have been acting differently. The PDSA says 22 percent of dogs owned pre-pandemic are doing new things—including willingly spending time by themselves in quiet zones and getting fussy when left home alone. Another survey from Dogs Trust found a “41 [percent] increase in reports of dogs being clingy” since the pandemic began.
Dr. Katie Pagan, Partner Doctor of Heart + Paw Fells Point, also notes a dog’s size and health conditions may mean more bathroom breaks. “Dogs that are younger or smaller in size need to be let out more frequently. Dogs that are older or may have underlying health conditions [like] Diabetes, Cushings disease or kidney disease will also need more frequent trips outside,” she says.
The PDSA says dogs shouldn’t be left alone on a regular basis for more than four hours. Modern Dog Magazine says crated dogs shouldn’t be left home alone for more than three or four hours. PAWS Chicago, a nonprofit no-kill shelter, says five to six hours is the max for an adult dog. As you can see, there isn’t a specific amount of time experts agree on for every dog and your dog’s needs might change over time.
Interestingly, the covid-19 pandemic has impacted many pets’ behaviors, especially when it comes to spending time solo. The annual PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report for 2021 shows that 27 percent of dogs who were adopted since the pandemic started in March of 2020 are demonstrating behavior that can be tied back to a lack of socialization. Almost 20 percent of newly adopted pups get stressed out when they are left alone, likely because for most of their time with their new humans, the humans were always around!
Begin leaving the dog alone for short periods.
It’s not a good idea to just leave the dog for eight hours right off the bat. Start with just five minutes while you step outside to get the mail. Then try 10 minutes later that day. Then 20. And so on. Work up to 45 minutes. Then an hour.
Even if your puppy is only 8 weeks old, it’s important to start training her to being left alone. Start by leaving her alone even for 5 minutes the first day while you head into another room.
You should also try leaving the house for short periods, even if it’s just 20-30 mins to go check the mail and run a short errand.
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Consider daycare once a week.
Another alternative is a doggie daycare place. Make sure to visit and tour the place before you drop your dog off for the first time. This isn’t an inexpensive option so you may not be able to afford it every day, but it can be helpful for your extra long days at work.
See That Mutt’s article Pros and Cons of Dog Daycare for more information on this topic.