Separation anxiety after WFH.

[CTO]

Dear all,

Some advice or words of wisdom please in relation to the management of newly acquired separation anxiety.

The pooch in question is “Pixie”, out ten year old pug/border cross.

Please see below for mandatory pistonhead themed pic of her enjoying the fresh air in the car..


Prior to lockdown, both my partner and I worked away from home daily. Usually from around 8-6. Pixie had a daily dog walker and/or a visit from the MiL to say hi and hang out for a bit. Pixie had no accidents ever and was a very chilled pooch.

From March of last year #Covid and home working. Essentially she has just become used to having someone around alllll the time and now if we go out, she has an accident (both types)

We have tried giving her a treat before we go out to occupy her with limited success. We have given her her favourite toys and settled her in her bed, with limited success.

Just leaving without a fuss and away from routinely putting on a coat etc, limited success. Same for gradually heading for the door.

Now if we need to go out all the internal doors downstairs need to be closed to stop a mess in the lounge or office. All the rugs need to come up (she was weeing on those only) and the stairs need to be blocked so that she doesn’t go upstairs and have an accident on the carpet up there…

Any advice or recommendations would be gratefully received..

And, in case one is helpful…here is a pic of her looking as though butter wouldn’t melt in her beard (it would)

[Jim on the hill]

In all honesty it's no different to working with normal seperation anxiety as that's what it is.

I'd recommend looking up the strategies that work such as put the dog out before for the toilet, music or background noise, a special toy or treat to entertain the mind and tire the dog out with a walk and sniff.

I don't look forward to how ours are going to cope either.

[Jaguar99]

Haven’t got any advice I’m afraid but we have seen this too

I used to mainly work in the office or on the road but have been WFH since March last year

I am still doing occasional site visits and my wife says that our two cats sit outside my office door when I am out on the road. They keep going back and checking during the day so I am guessing they will miss me when I am back to normal... well for a while, they are cats so are fickle...

[Munter]

Have you tried training her that you will return.

Basically "leaving" and coming back almost immediately. Repeat but extending the time "away" a few minutes each time.

[SS2.]

Jim on the hill said:

I don't look forward to how ours are going to cope either.

Same here.

So much so in fact, we engineered a situation where my other half can work from home permanently.

I'm not saying the dogs were the only factor in that decision, but they did play a big part.

Jim on the hill said:

Very cute pooch you have there..

Edited by SS2. on Wednesday 26th May 06:34

[Stuntman62]

Hello there.
My wife, who does some dog and puppy training suggests
- as previously said ,gradual separation.
-an in house distraction activity such as a Kongs.
- background music , or tv.
Yes, any interaction with humans during the day, dog walker etc would assist .
Hope that helps.

[beambeam1]

Munter said:

Have you tried training her that you will return.

Basically "leaving" and coming back almost immediately. Repeat but extending the time "away" a few minutes each time.

This. Gradually extend the time whilst reassuring them that you will be coming back. I also found when our dog was young that leaving a t-shirt or hoodie on the floor would help her settle. Often returned to find she had brought the item to her bed or up on the couch. This only came to me as an idea when one day I returned to find she had scattered a few items around her on the floor, things that I had touched or worn.

Now, she couldn't give a toss if I leave for an hour or the whole day. Git.

[moorx]

Can't add to the advice given re separation anxiety but just one other thing to bear in mind - Pixie is an older dog, who may be finding it harder to 'wait' in general. How long is she being left before having an accident? If only a short time, it is most likely behavioural, but if longer it may be more physical.

I know I recommend it a lot, but no harm in getting a vet check just to rule out any health issues that might be causing incontinence.

PS - Pixie is v cute

[Challo]

We have two young dogs and both have been used to us being at home for the last year. Prior to leaving the house we always make sure they have both been out for wee, and we always leave the radio on in the background. It keeps them company, and stops them reacting to noises outside.

I would suggest starting small and increasing the time left, and doing it on a daily basis. This will allow them to get used to you going, but knowing you are coming back.

[sociopath]

As others have said, you need to start training again, your pooch doesn't remember being left previously.

Little and often and then extending the periods.

We're retired, but even our boy is struggling when we go out now after a year of total company, so we're popping out to the shop, going to the pub next door, just extending the time he's on his own.

Eventually well get him back to where he was, which is here...