Dogs and self-isolation

Whether you're working from home, self-isolating, or just generally spending more time at home, we're spending a lot more time with our dogs.

And while they likely aren’t too upset about their humans being around all the time, it is important to consider how they will be affected when you stop spending so much time at home.

Showering your dog with affection can be tempting, especially during a difficult time like this. But being at home for an extended period of time can heighten the risk of separation anxiety when you do eventually return to your normal life.

It is important to spend quality time with your fur baby, without over-indulging them. We’ve put together some tips and tricks for taking care of them during self-isolation:

Have fun with food

Instead of just giving your dog their food in their normal bowl, try and make a game out of it. Think about hiding their food throughout your backyard for them to find, or investing in a food maze bowl where your dog will need to move the bowl in different ways to get to their dinner.

Practice new tricks

Spending so much time around your dog is a great opportunity to train them! Practice getting your dog to walk next to you without a lead in your home, and teach them other various tricks to activate and stimulate their brain.

Don’t over-do it with the treats

Being around your dog all the time makes it easy to succumb to their puppy dog eyes and give them more treats than usual. But make sure you keep track of how many treats you are giving them. If you usually only give them 2 treats a day, make sure you stick to that number. Sticking to their usual food routine will keep them healthy and reduce shock when you do eventually return to your normal lifestyle.

Walk your dog

If you are able to get out of the house, make sure you take your dog for walks often. Not only is this great for your dog, but it's a great way to ensure you're getting out of the house and getting fresh air every day.

Keep them entertained

Try and keep your dog entertained with games that don't require your involvement. Remember you won't always be there all the time to play with them. Give them toys they can play with on their own, such as a Kong which you can fill with peanut butter to keep them entertained for hours. A maze ball with treats inside is another way to stimulate your dog's senses, as they move the ball in different ways to get the treats out.

Invest in a pet treat camera

When you do eventually return to work, invest in a pet camera with the ability to give your dog treats and play ball when you're not at home. Check up on your dog through the camera on your phone, and click a button to throw a ball or a treat to keep them entertained while you're not there.

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