LOCKDOWN SPARKED A RISE IN DOG BEHAVIOUR ISSUES, A NEW STUDY HAS FOUND
Source: Country Living (Extract)
Posted: August 27, 2020
One in four dog owners have seen a worrying change in their pups.
One in four dog owners have seen a worrying change in their pet’s behaviour since the beginning of lockdown, a new study by the Dogs Trust has found.
The pet welfare charity surveyed over 6,000 owners back in May this year about the impact lockdown measures have had on their pups. And, sadly, 26% reported a rise in problematic behaviours, including barking, biting and whining.
They also found:
- A 20% increase in reports of dogs regularly seeking attention from their owner
- An 82% increase in reports of dogs whining or barking when a household member was busy
- A 54% rise in the number of people saying their dog has hidden or moved away when approached
- There was a 41% increase in the number of dogs being clingy or following people around the house during lockdown
“These are challenging times as millions of us across the country have had our daily lives turned upside down,” Rachel Casey, Director of Canine Behaviour and Research at Dogs Trust, says.
“Whilst some dogs have been happy to have their human family at home more, others have been stressed by reduced exercise, inability to find a quiet place to rest or no contact with other dogs. Our research shows some early warning signs that lockdown is having a negative impact on some dogs’ behaviour.”
On the back of this study, the Dogs Trust has issued new fears surrounding dog abandonments. Sadly, they predict that up to 40,000 dogs could be at risk of abandonment as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Rachel adds: “A big worry for us is what the long-term impact of lockdown will have on dogs’ ability to cope when left home alone. Dogs that had separation anxiety before the lockdown are likely to get worse when left again as owners head back to work – but we also expect to see new cases developing, because other dogs, and particularly puppies, have learnt to expect company all day. We could well see a rise in the number of dogs needing our help or being abandoned because of this.”
Need some help with your pup? Take a look at the charity’s advice below:
- “Avoid looking for ‘quick fix’ solutions like anti-bark collars or punishing a dog on return. These approaches will exacerbate the problem and result in more serious and more difficult to treat problems in the long run.”
- “If you have a dog who is used to being left alone, make sure you maintain their ability to cope with this by introducing periods of separation during the day when you are in the house.
- “Build up the amount of time a pup is separated from family members very gradually and associate it with something positive, such as a long-lasting treat.”
- “Monitor how the pup responds, and shorten the time left if they show any signs of anxiety.”
- Where dogs are already showing signs of separation anxiety, owners should seek help from their vets.
