08/21/2024
Challenges Of Back To School Separation Anxiety
Another summer is beginning to wind down, and our thoughts turn back to school purchases and autumn pleasures. Schedules will soon shift as we hurry to get our kids to and from school or off to college. For some, it means the return of our kids from summer camp; for others, it means the return to work as area educators. Indeed, a lot is going on, but what does all of this increased activity and time-shifting mean to our canine pals? Over the years, I have met quite a few dogs that had “the summertime blues,” which meant an abrupt change in the summer rhythm and schedule, resulting in separation fear and anxiety. I always advise the following:
DON’T LET DOGS GET BORED
Boredom is a major cause of canine misbehavior (excessive barking, howling, chewing, soiling) when back-to-school time rolls around. You and your family may have less time with your dog than everyone gets used to a new schedule.
You can stop behavior problems before they begin AND prevent dog boredom by ensuring that dogs get plenty of exercise and have a variety of attractive, mentally stimulating toys to play with. This is also an ideal time to call us for a FREE consultation and see if adding additional pet visits during the week is right for you and your schedule.
ESTABLISH A ROUTINE
Dogs are also creatures of habit, and routines are vital to their well-being. In fact, dogs become so stressed when the kids return to school because it causes significant changes in their routines. Since they cannot express their anxiety verbally, it’s up to us to create a stress-free environment before the behavioral issues begin. Those issues mean I am bored, scared, confused, and all alone! You can ease a dog’s stress by quickly establishing a new routine. While scheduling carpools and after-school activities, you might also create regular times for your dog’s feeding time, playtime, walks, and, most importantly, family time.
PREVENT SEPARATION ANXIETY
Separation Anxiety is a disorder that causes dogs to feel extremely anxious when left home alone, especially if it’s an abrupt interruption of their normal schedule. Once everyone is back to school and your family schedule shifts, you may find that your dog soon becomes anxious and stressed when left alone.
“One of the biggest clues that a dog suffers from separation anxiety is destructive behavior. Dogs who suffer from this type of anxiety try to ease their stress by chewing, digging, and barking. If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, you can help to alleviate his stress through a process referred to as desensitization. This involves slowly getting him used to being left by himself. If you still have some time before the summer ends, you can start working on preventing separation anxiety before everyone goes back to school.”
