5 Dog Features To Have at Home Before You Head Back to the Office
Original article realtor.com
By: Kathleen Willcox
For many people, the past year and a half went to the dogs—literally! About 23 million U.S. households have adopted a cat or dog since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent study from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
But as the slow creep back to a new normal continues, and workers return to their offices, pet owners and pets are struggling to transition to a new routine.
“Anxiety, to some degree or another, is seen in a lot of dogs when routines change,” says Dr. Gary Richter, owner and medical director of Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, CA.
Dogs suffering from anxiety may urinate, defecate, bark constantly, chew items, or even try to escape. There are plenty of ways to tackle these separation issues head-on, however.
According to a survey from Banfield Pet Hospital, 42% of millennials and 68% of Generation Z plan to hire walkers or enroll their dogs in day care in a bid to combat back-to-work jitters. And there are plenty of other ways to soothe everyone’s anxiety as your routine changes. We reached out to experts and found these tried-and-true ways to keep your pets occupied and serene while you’re at the office.
1. Dog crate
The idea of being in confinement all day doesn’t appeal to many humans. But some canine experts advocate more crating for your furry friend to help with anxiety.
A product like ZenCrate ($679.99, zencrate.com) is “costly, but it can help relieve anxiety by providing a dog with a shelter they’re familiar with, and playing music and white noise, among other effects,” says Dr. Linda Simon, a veterinary surgeon in London.
The smart crate detects when an animal enters and begins playing music shown to calm dogs.
Good old-fashioned crates (prices start around $35) work well, too, says Simon, especially if they’re outfitted with “plush and cuddly beds.”
2. Camera
Many dog owners spend a lot of time at work wondering what their pet is up to all day, and worrying about destructive behavior and excessive barking.
To calm your own anxiety and get a better handle on if your pup is stressed—and how it manifests itself—some experts recommend installing a camera.
“A doggy camera will let you know what your dog is doing, and you’ll be able to see if they’re showing signs of stress when left at home,” says Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer in Los Angeles and celebrity trainer on Amazon Prime’s “The Pack.”
Ellis uses a Furbo camera ($150, Chewy) herself. The Furbo allows you to monitor your dog and shoot out treats on your command.
3. Enrichment toys
You know how smart your dog is. Think of how bored he’ll be stuck at home without company to stimulate his mind.
Experts recommend combining your pup’s favorite activities—hunting and eating—with a mental enrichment activity. There are a number of available enrichment toys—from food puzzles to movement toys— to keep your pet stimulated. You could theoretically get one for every day of the week so your pet doesn’t get bored.
“A puzzle toy or slow-treater mat lasts a long time and is a great way to distract your dog when you leave,” says Daniel Coughill, a founder of The Dog Tale in New York City. “Peanut butter frozen inside a Kong toy also works. Give them the toy when you walk out the door, and by the time they’re finished and they register that you’re gone, it won’t be as shocking for them.”
4. Pheromones
If your dog has high anxiety, but you don’t want to medicate Fido, pheromone-based products can be a good alternative, experts say.
Pheromones are, at their most basic, a type of chemical communication. There are stress pheromones and calming pheromones. Products designed for dogs are made to mimic the calming pheromones that occur in canines naturally. They come in various forms, including sprays, diffusers, and even collars.
“I recommend an Adaptil plug-in,” says Simon. “It encourages dogs to stay calm and helps take the edge off any anxiety they might be feeling. If they’re doing a lot of wandering from room to room, the Adaptil collar may be a better option.”
Pheromone diffusers start at $29.99 and collars start at $19.99.
5. You
The best way to help pets adjust to the new normal is by looking at yourself first, experts say.
Building behavioral cues and exhibiting a sense of complete calm will lay the foundation for a successful transition.
“Simple behaviors, like waking up earlier to walk or feed your pet, then repeating the same behavior when you would normally return from work, can help pets readapt quickly,” says Dr. Ragen McGowen, a pet behavior scientist at Purina in St. Louis. “Leaving the house during the day without your pet also helps them adapt to your absence while anticipating that special welcome-home moment.”
“After being attached to your dog for a year, leaving them at home alone for hours is a shock,” agrees Colleen Demling-Riley, dog behaviorist at Dogtopia in San Diego. “But making a big deal about saying ‘goodbye’ and ‘hello’ when you arrive home from work will give your absence more significance. Instead, give them a quick head scratch and speak in a soothing tone with a consistent phrase like, ‘I’ll be back soon.’ When you return, ignore them until they stop jumping and barking.”