Divorce Dog Anxiety
It’s a Sad Time For Dogs Too
Divorces are brutal. They’re emotionally charged and cause massive disruptions within a family unit, including the family dog. Recently, a friend of mine went through a long divorce and was forced to move out and find a new home. The only things she had left were her clothes, some furniture and her beloved dog. So the process began for both of them, and even though my friend held her poker face firmly in place, her heart broke for her dog’s mourning.
Expect Your Dog to Mourn
Trust me, dogs know when disturbances ripple through a family. If a family member and her dog are forced to move, expect her dog to mourn. Similar to you, dogs have lost loved ones, such as other house pets, so this is their first time truly left alone.
As with humans, dogs enjoy predictability of daily routines and living within a familiar surrounding, so they need time to adjust. During the first week, your dog will become clingy. He wants to sit or sleep very close to you–you’re the one constant during this unfamiliar time. Indulge your dog’s needs and, honestly, you probably need your dog’s unconditional love right now too.
Huddle together, and you will weather the storm.
It Will Get Better
Keep Up the Normal Routine
Try to keep your dog’s daily routine as normal as possible and spend a bit of time playing and exploring the new yard and going for long walks daily. Take this time to enjoy your dog’s company with games of fetch or tug. This will keep you both occupied as time heals wounds.
Provide Your Dog With Food Toys
Start with leaving your dog home alone for short periods of time, such as leaving him to take a shower with the door closed while he chews on a bully stick. After a day or two, leave your dog inside, chewing on food stuffed toys while you mow the yard or work on a project in another room. You’re still there, but your dog is not velcroed to you. Plus, he’s learning that alone time is kind of fun with peanut butter stuffed toys.
RELATED: 4 Tips for Moving With Your Dog
Leave the House for an Hour
After a few days, run errands for an hour or so. It’s time your dog learns to enjoy being along while you are truly away from home. Don’t forget to give your dog something to do while you’re gone, so he’s not panicking. A nice long walk before you leave always helps too.
To drown out unfamiliar noise, play soft classical music in the background. Check out these tips for separation anxiety, which can promote confidence during this difficult time.
Postpone Bringing a New Dog Home
Many dog owners think it’s a good idea to adopt another dog, so your mourning dog has a friend. Before bringing home a new dog, it’s important to consider if you have enough time to care for two dogs. About 50 percent of the time, mourning dogs react negatively to a new dog in the household–they’ve already had enough disruption for now. Also, it’s not fair to the new dog since he’ll need adjustment time too and walking into an emotional situation can be scary. Wait until your dog has grieved, and then consider adding another dog when you’re both ready.
Within a couple of weeks, you’ll notice the twinkle return to your dog’s eye. This means you’re almost over the hurdle. There may be a few hiccups along the way, but you now have solutions to address them.
If It Doesn’t Get Better
Sometimes, it doesn’t get better. If your dog panics when left alone and tries to harm himself, seek guidance from a veterinary animal behaviorist. While your local veterinarian may offer some guidance, vet behaviorists are the experts in the field and can certainly help quickly.
If progress is moving slowly, but your dog is not panicking, there are a few calming supplements that can help along the journey. Always consult your veterinarian first, especially if your dog takes other medication.
We are cheering for both of you! There is light at the end of the tunnel!
