With all of the insanity that’s happened through 2020 (and a little beyond), we could all use a little extra love and companionship. So it’s no surprise to me that so many people have become new pet parents, or in particular, brought home puppies this past year. Dogs can be wonderful buddies to have around while working from home.
As the pandemic is brought under control, though, our lives will once again begin to change – many begin to head to the office, go out on Saturday nights, or on vacation. Changes in schedules, or being left home alone for longer periods of time can be difficult for dogs who have rarely been separated from their people or met others outside their family. This can lead to separation anxiety, destructive behavior, or even physical symptoms. The good news is that a lot of this can be managed and prevented before the world starts to open up.
One of the simplest ways to prevent behavioral issues is to work with a dog walker who is outside of your household. What are the benefits for you and your dog?
Hiring a dog walker will give your dog or puppy a chance to socialize with a caregiver outside of their family. Just like little (human) kids, dogs and puppies thrive on interacting with the outside world. The more people and dogs they can interact with, the sooner they learn healthy boundaries and how to behave in various situations – in other words, they become better socialized. What does this mean for you? A calmer, more obedient and cooperative dog when it’s time to bring them to the vet, groomer, or along for a car ride.
Regular dog walks will also make your dog easier to manage at home. A lot, if not most, destructive behavior by dogs is due to boredom and lack of mental stimulation and exercise. When we’ve got a full work schedule, it can be tempting to only take our dogs out for a few minutes or let them out in the yard, but a dog walker’s job is to thoroughly exercise them and give them special attention – usually for a solid 30 minutes. A dog walker can be an almost magical solution to kitchen trash raids, chewed up headphones, or a coffee mug being knocked off the counter just to see what will happen (hey, some dogs like to experiment!).
Also, just like human kids, dogs function best on a consistent daily routine. We all know, though, that our own schedules can be unpredictable. When you arrange for somebody to come to your home at the same time every day, you can feel free to get on that last minute Zoom meeting without any guilt or worrying about your pooch.
When a lot of dog parents head back to the office full time, many will already see the need for a dog walker and the benefits that come with one. If you do intend to hire one, I highly recommend that you begin working with them at least a month before you start leaving home regularly. This will give your dog a chance to get comfortable spending time away from you, which will reduce separation anxiety and behavior issues.