Guide for this time of COVID-19

Dog Trainers and Animal Experts all over the world are considering the current and future impact of COVID-19 on dogs and dog welfare.

 

This article reviews issues associated with this time of isolation and our substantially increased time with our dogs and ideas for solutions.

 

Health Risks For Our Dogs – Physical

Issue: Safety
With every member of the family likely to be spending most of their days at home, our dogs might be exposed to health risks that aren't usually a problem. 

Example:
Kids crafting, baking, snacking and playing may place your dog (and other pets) at risk of ingesting items that can be extremely harmful to four-legged animals.

Resource:
'How to Prevent Common Pet Emergencies During Quarantine' by Jason Nicholas, BVetMed, provides a comprehensive overview of the special dangers of these times for our pets. Check out the article at https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-to-prevent-common-pet-emergencies-during-quarantine

Issue: Healthy Weight
There’s a risk that food-related activities could pile on the weight for our dogs (a risk for humans too ).  Deduct the food you use for dog training and enrichment from your dog’s meal-time food; so rather than extra food, your dog is getting the same amount of food but delivered in interesting ways.

Example:
Pets are likely to be subject to much more attention (and stress) from children in the home than they are used to. Regularly talk with your children about the importance of giving the dog (or cat or guinea pig) lots of alone-time, and be prepared to supervise interactions more than you might otherwise. All pets have to be allowed to move away to a quiet, alone-space that everyone in the family respects.

Opportunity:
This is a good time to get familiar with your dog’s body language so you can respond appropriately.  How do they show you they’re tired, stressed, (over) excited, frustrated?

Resources:
Canine Body Language Guide
Stress Specific Guide - Pat Miller's Whole Dog Journal article, 'Stressed Out' covers the causes and signs of stress: https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/training/stressed-out/

Resources:
A comprehensive article on socialisation options in this time of social isolation has been prepared by Jessica Ring of My Fantastic Friend https://www.myfantasticfriend.com/2020/03/19/time-is-of-the-essence-puppy-socialization-during-a-pandemic/
“Sound Proof Puppy Training” app will help you help your dog to become accustomed to the kinds of noises common to your area. This app comes with a selection of pre-recorded noises, plus the ability for you to record sounds of your choosing for playback.  The app also explains the process of desensitising a dog to noises. https://www.facebook.com/SoundProofPuppyTraining/videos/248018645368629/

 

Training

Issue: Dogs behave like dogs, sometimes leading to their humans becoming frustrated and irritated. (There’s no BAD-DOG Behaviour; there’s behaviour that humans don’t like! )

Opportunity:
This is a great time for training activities with your dog.  There are lots of reasons to prioritise training at this time:
• Training gives your dog’s brain a workout, and it will give your brain something to do other than look at all those screens in the house 
• You can tackle challenges like your dog barking at passers-by
• You can refine simple ‘manners’ behaviours – Sit, Lay Down, Stay, Walk on a Loose Lead
• Try out tricks

Resources: 
There are so many resources out there!  Plus, you can always reach out to us for help.

Here’s our best advice for all training:
• Focus on FUN for both of you, and stop any training activity while you’re both still enjoying it.
• Take notice and acknowledge with praise and the occasional treat all of your dog’s good behaviours - when your dog chooses not to jump but to sit quietly at your side when she wants your attention, for example. Unwanted behaviour naturally gets our attention; but don’t take good behaviour for granted.

 

Enhance your dog’s wellbeing

This process is often called “enrichment” and involves giving your dog options in terms of a range of activities.

Issue: Just like us, our dogs get bored.

 

Resources: There are so many resources!  Here are a few to get you started.
The Gentle Modern School of Dog Training YouTube Channel – Tricks, Food Puzzle Toys, Stuffed Kong recipe, and morehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-STAPn1Q4ULfIBAXm04K7g/
Backyard-Agility
Digging Pit Guide
8 Fun Scent Games Your Dog Will Love By Steve Duno https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/8-fun-scent-games-your-dog-will-love/80052
How to Teach Your Dog Object Names By Nancy Tucker https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/training/cognitive-skills/how-to-teach-your-dog-object-names/
Range of products and tips from the Australia Dog Lover https://www.australiandoglover.com/2020/02/top-12-boredom-busters-for-dogs-in-2020.html

 

Thinking Ahead to Resumption of 'Normal' Routines and Absences

Our dogs are going to get used to us being at home.  They are likely to feel our absence keenly when we all return to School/University/the Office.  Prepare your dog for that future by not being too dependent on each other right now.  Maintain alone time and separate time.  For example:
• Go to the mailbox without your dog
• Go for a walk without your dog
• Work in the back yard without paying any attention to your dog
• Read alone in your bedroom with the door closed

Occasionally follow a normal (pre-COVID-19) work-time departure process – for example:
    - put on your office shoes,
    - get a food container (your ‘lunch’) out of the fridge,
    - pick up your keys and handbag,
    - round up the kids (they’re ‘off to school’),
    - hand over the long-lasting dog-chew to your dog, and
    - go through the door to the garage (or go into your home office and close the door for an hour). 

Follow through the 'departure' process as much as you want.  You might drive round the block and return home.  You might, in fact, be going to the supermarket, but time it for a work departure and dress and act like you’re off to the office for the day.

You could leave your laptop camera recording so you can see how your dog responds.

Use toys designed for independent play (that is, play that doesn’t involve you). For example: Hanging toys that your dog can bat about: for example, bungee products such as the ‘home alone’ toy and ‘chook’ toy from Aussie Dog Products – https://aussiedog.com.au/product-category/alone/