Q. Lucky is devoted to my daughter. They go everywhere together. Now she is going to leave for college this fall. I am so worried about Lucky’s well-being. What can I do to help him cope?
A. It is difficult for both the human and the dog to adjust to a new schedule, environment, and new people. It happens when we kennel him when we go on vacation or when their favorite companion goes off to school, starts a new life through new jobs, or marriage.
As always, it is best to plan ahead. When the home environment is solid with everyone involved with the well-being of the family dog, the transition will be easier. If all the responsibility of the physical and emotional well-being is on one person, the transition can be problematic.
There is the rule of 3’s to help dogs transition to a new routine and, or environment. This is 3 days of decompression, 3 weeks of learning new routines, and 3 months to feel secure. The rule of 3’s isn’t cast in stone but a guideline to help you understand where your dog is at in the process. Some will move through these stages quickly and others may take longer. It is all dependent on your pup’s environment, emotional and mental makeup.
Let’s start with the family dog who is involved with everyone. There can be one primary person he is with most, however, there is a broader foundation to draw on. Start early to vary the routine. If walking the dog is dependent on one family member, start rotating the human walking the dog. These are not power walks but sniff walks. The distance and time can be varied. If Sis usually walks Lucky, but she will be leaving, then assign someone else. It can be Dad after work while Mom makes dinner, or a bedtime walk that is short. We want Lucky to get sniff walks because it tires him out more and is more fulfilling than long power walks. The family pup will be in a better frame of mind when the change happens. Feeding is an easier fix. When the designated feeder is leaving, change it to someone else with a similar schedule. When that is impossible, start changing feeding time slowly by 15-minute increments until they fit the new schedule. Playing with him can be done using enrichment toys and smelling games or hide and seek. Where he sleeps doesn’t need to change, especially if he is crate trained or knows to go to his bed, mat, or what he normally sleeps on. Keeping the bedtime ritual will help for a calm sleep. No one should make a big deal when they leave or come home, especially the person going away. The dog will feel leaving and coming home is not a big deal and won’t worry about it so there is less anxiety.
What if you have only one person in the family who has all the responsibilities in the care and well-being of Lucky. Decisions of care needs to be made months in advanced. It is likely multiple family members will need to take over the duties to keep the dog happy. In busy families, have one or two people take on feeding him and the same with exercise and playing. If time is tight, sniff games are great for high energy pups. All of these schedule changes and routines need to start early so the dog can adjust along with the family. The key person is still involved, but it is shared time not always alone time.
The most concerning situation is a dog that is so attached and sensitive to the loss of his person that he starts acting out when that person is gone (separation anxiety) or becomes ill. Working with your veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and a veterinary homeopath can help. There may be drugs, nutritional and herbal supplements, homeopathic medicines, and behavioral exercises that can help.
Judith K. Herman, DVM, CVH
Animal Wellness Center
Augusta, Maine
www.mainehomeopahticvet.com