Still Struggling with a Pandemic Puppy? You are not alone
The common saying is: “one dog year equals seven human years.” That means your dog is approaching a mid life crisis! Well not really. Dogs don’t care about that kind of stuff. Many people brought home a new a puppy during the COVID-19 lockdowns. These “pandemic puppies” helped ease loneliness and gave people a daily routine when everything was uncertain. However, recently, there is a lot of talk on social media from dog owners that their puppy still isn’t as calm and as easy as they hoped. If your dog still has behavior problems like stress and anxiety, you are not alone. Many others are going through the same thing. There is no need to feel bad about it.
The Pandemic Changed Pet Adoption
- An Interesting Fact – About 3.2 million new households in the UK got a pet during covid. Even more, about 57% of UK homes had a pet by 2023.
- Many people were told to think about adopting pets stuck in shelters that did not get enough care. As a result, pet adoptions had a significant increase.
- A survey done by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) showed that almost a third of dogs had separation anxiety at 21 months.
- The survey also revealed that 1 out of 5 pet owners stated their dogs had eight or more behavioral issues
- The top 2 problems were pulling on the lead and jumping up at people
How to Reduce Stress in a Pandemic Puppy
Having an anxious dog can be tough and stressful. This is especially true when their reactions seem strong. So, what can you do if your pandemic puppy has stress or feels anxious?
- Start Training Your Pandemic Puppy Again – The most important thing is to keep trying and not give up. The best time to start training is always right now. Focus on praising the good behaviors and gently guiding the attention of your dog away from things that make them anxious.
- Practice Controlled Socialization – Start by bringing your dog to quiet places. Let them watch from a distance before moving to busier spots. Reward them with treats or praise when they stay calm. Slowly get closer as they feel more comfortable.
- Make It Positive – Give your dog treats and kind words whenever they see something new. This helps them feel less scared and more confident over time.
- Help Your Dog with Noise stress – Start getting them used to loud noises slowly if they are scared of it. Play the noises quietly at first. Then slowly make them louder over time. This can eventually make them used to of it.
The Pandemic Puppy Missed Out on Normal Life Activities
Dogs gave people comfort, fun, and a reason to go outside during the lockdown. However, many new dog owners did not realize that raising a puppy during the pandemic would come with problems.
Lots of puppies missed out on important early experiences like:
- Playing and socializing with other dogs
- Meeting new people
- Learning how to be alone without their owners
Because of this, many puppies grew up feeling scared, anxious, or overly clingy. These challenges are common but can be worked on with patience and care. If your dog still feels stressed or acts out, you are not alone. You can still retrain your pandemic puppy. Take small steps and give both you and your dog time to grow and change.
