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Behaviour in Post Pandemic Puppies
Stephanie Hedges BSc ( Hons ) RVN CCAB , Member of FABC
There have been so many changes to our normal routines since the COVID-19 pandemic that it ’ s no surprise this has impacted on the behaviour of our pets , both in the way they behave around others and their dependence on our presence at home .
Perhaps one of the biggest changes to everyday life for many people has been the move to working from home , as a result of which many pet owners were able to spend more time with their pets and didn ’ t leave them alone nearly as much . The ability to work from home also meant that many people found they had time to take on a new dog , sometimes with little previous experience . However as lockdowns eased many such owners subsequently returned to the offi ce . This may have led to unwanted behaviour when the dog is left alone , sometimes for the fi rst time . The most common unwanted behaviours associated with separation are excessive vocalisation , destructive behaviour and inappropriate toileting . It can also manifest as self-trauma , compulsive behaviour , or even aggression as the owner leaves . The behaviour can occur due to boredom , frustration , incomplete house training / being left longer than the dog can hold urine or faeces for , or as a reaction to external triggers . It may also arise where the dog has failed to learn to cope with being alone or is dependent on the owner for coping with specifi c things or life in general . The fi rst steps in addressing it are to identify the cause of the behaviour and to ensure the pet ’ s needs are being met . The owner would also ideally habituate them to being alone before starting to leave them by creating a safe space and teaching the dog to settle there for gradually longer periods , initially whilst they are elsewhere in the house then when they have gone out . If the owner isn ’ t sure what to do , there is an established problem or the dog shows wider unwanted behaviour the owner may need the support of a clinical animal behaviourist to do this .
The pandemic also resulted in changes in our pets ’ interactions with both people and other dogs , which may have triggered unwanted behaviour . During the pandemic owners kept their distance from others outside of the house , including by no longer meeting friends ( with or without their dogs ) for walks and preventing their dogs
from interacting with other dogs . They also had less visitors to the house and made less visits to the veterinary clinic . All of these reduced the opportunity for puppies to socialise and learn how to behave around new people , other dogs and unfamiliar situations .
Inappropriate behaviour towards visitors may be seen as hypervigilance to passers-by or those approaching the house , or excitable greetings , fearfulness or even aggression to people entering the house . In many cases this can be addressed through training and by making the interactions more positive and less threatening . However aggressive behaviour needs the input of a clinical animal behaviourist for both safety and welfare .
Unwanted behaviour towards other dogs outside of the house may include inappropriate greeting or play , fearful behaviour or aggression . These may then trigger a negative reaction or ongoing unwanted behaviour in the dog they are directed to . Depending on the reason for the unwanted behaviour , it can often be addressed by improving the dog ’ s response to owner cues , especially recall and cues that direct attention to the owner . These can then be used at gradually closer proximity to other dogs to both guide preferred behaviour and enable desensitisation and counter conditioning . However , most owners will require the support of a clinical animal behaviourist to do this . In some cases castration may also help . However this can have a variable effect on unwanted behaviour , and can sometimes make behaviour worse rather than better . If the likely outcome isn ’ t clear medical castration may be a useful way of assessing this .
Due to unavoidable changes in the way practices managed veterinary visits during the height of the pandemic there may also be an increase in unwanted behaviour in the clinic . This may be due to reduced opportunities for puppies and young dogs to get used to visiting the clinic , or to increased fear if the dog is taken away from their owners . In some cases this may lead to defensive aggression . The dog ’ s fear of the practice can be reduced by changing the way they are approached and handled , managing triggers in the practice , and a programme of desensitisation and counter conditioning to the practice and common procedures . In many cases this will require a detailed plan and support from a clinical animal behaviourist working in tandem with the practice .
To watch the full webinar visit : https :// bit . ly / suprelorin
A really informative and engaging webinar on a circumstance we ’ re seeing in practice daily , with advice on how to deal with it to make a more enjoyable experience for both owner and pet .
GEORGIA DODDEN