The COVID Effect on our dogs
We know it has been a big and challenging year, that no one could have seen coming – but not only us humans have been affected, we have also seen the effects of COVID in some of our canine friends! Some of our puppies have been left confused, with separation anxiety and just frankly out of routine with the craziness of the pandamic. The RSPCA has written a great article about the effects and what life after COVID may look like for some dogs which you can read here, with some great tips on how our puppies may feel, and how we can make life a little easier for them. Below are some stories of some of the puppies we have come across.
MY NAME IS LOUIE.
I’m a Red Cattle Dog and I’m 11 months old. This makes me another statistic of the “COVID Puppy Syndrome”. I’ve learnt quite a lot of general dog obedience from my family but my confidence in the outside world is shaky. During COVID no-one came to the door so new people and visitors scare me. During COVID I didn’t go many places or see many other dogs so life on the lead is scary for me too. Today we started lessons to try to fill those gaps so I can start a stress-free life after COVID. My humans say they’d like to join me in my stress-free post-COVID life. Wish me luck as we start to turn the tables!
is a COVID puppy who has struggled for months with many facets of the outside world which she finds foreign and very scary. Her human has worked tirelessly with her in tiny, measured steps to build Ellie’s confidence as she slowly ventures out. Ellie is very wary of strangers, especially men. In this video we had her follow a trail of treats that ended at a man sitting very still on a chair, not looking at her or trying to engage her. It was Ellie’s choice how close she went to collect bonus treats on the ground near the man’s feet and eventually out of his hand. No forcing or coercing; Ellie made her own choices about connecting. Rome wasn’t
LOKI
is a two year old Kelpie. He lives with his young owners in Port Stephens. Life was pretty balanced before COVID hit and having his humans at home during lockdown was a happy time for Loki. When his humans returned to work Loki wasn’t so happy. There were reports from one neighbour that his barking was out of control. The words “separation anxiety” started being bandied around so we began working on strategies to help ease this. Last week a different neighbour approached the young owners, telling them that when Loki is distressed they speak gently to him, often giving him a treat and he is able to find a quiet place in his own yard and settle himself. These kind neighbours have now revealed that the neighbour who complains about Loki’s barking bangs on the fence and yells at him. This neighbour has also sought out each of the young owners at their workplaces and harassed them about Loki’s barking, which she is deliberately aggravating. The owners are in the process of contacting the community justice centre, the rangers and possibly the police to find a solution. In the meantime Loki was stuck at home distressed when his humans left, not because of separation anxiety but because he is terrified of the onslaught that came from the harassing neighbour.
Something good was to come out of us posting LOKI’s story, after we posted it on our facebook page! Over 50 people commented, lots offering messages of support, or even offering to HELP just like the comments below:
“Our pup often has friends come over while we are at work, I’d absolutely be happy for Loki to come over if they got along. I am in Medowie though, but happy to see if it suits. We also have a camera so would be able to keep an eye on them, and amazing neighbours”
“I work from home . Oakley is a graduate of your beautiful puppy school and would love a playmate.”
“We have a 2 year old female daniff who needs a friend to play with in the salamander Bay Area.”
In years to come we will remember this wild year, and the effect it had on all our (and our puppies) lives!! Hopefully we will also remember the kindness that came form the community, along with all the things we had to go through and ways we had to try adapt to help our clients avoid an epidemic of puppy behaviour problems and human frustration by:
- Running online classes,
- Operating Social Distancing Classes,
- Capping our numbers in classes,
- Requesting our clients wear masks,
- Making sure COVID health declarations forms/sign ins were completed, and more
Don’t forget if you are feeling the effects of COVID to contact us, and see how we might be able to help you and your pup get back into the swing of things with one of our courses or a private consultation.