In the past year, during the coronavirus pandemic (which is not over, actually), there has been an increase of around 2 million dogs in the United Kingdom. The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association assigns the increase in pup ownership to the growth of home office, and to loneliness in a lesser degree.
We are sure that the boom of dogs in large cities such as London has brought joy and happiness, but there are some issues that those new owners – and their families and friends – must bear in mind.
Due to the lack of habituation and socialisation during their childhood, it is expected that, once facing new stimuli such as visitors to the home and other dogs in a park, the “pandemic puppies” respond with fear, which may turn into aggression.
Here are some tips that may help you prevent your furry child from panicking when being challenged by the unexpected:
- Encourage your dog to spend more time alone, even if it’s in their bed or in a separate room;
- Set a period of time in your daily routine to interact with your puppy that you’ll be able to maintain once the current restrictions ease;
- Use interactive toys to set boundaries on when your pooch can play with others;
- Start leaving the house without your dog for a few minutes and gradually increase the absence time and frequency so that they get used to being alone;
- Seek professional advice if you notice signs of behavioural issues such as aggressiveness, excessive howling and barking, destructive chewing, etc.
Day to day activities in daycare and while boarding will help your puppy deal with anxiety and fear, and increase their confidence when in a new environment. Book now!
