Pets struggling to adapt as owners head back to the office
Dog trainers and animal behaviourists are being flooded with calls from people seeking advice because their pets are having a hard time adjusting to their absence.
Pet adoption rates soared during the pandemic, as people spent more time at home and found they enjoyed the company of a furry companion.
Now that people are returning to the office – even those back for just a couple of hours a week – have noticed their dogs and cats appearing stressed.
“They’re coming back home to neighbour complaints about noises, like dogs howling and crying the whole day,” said SPCA-accredited dog trainer Sarah Shapiro-Ward.
Owners with in-home cameras report seeing their dogs pacing and digging at doorways.
“Cats, on the other hand, may display more subtle signs of stress, so it’s really important to pay attention to how your cat is feeling,” said Shapiro-Ward.
Even pets who were used to an empty house before the pandemic are now used to someone being home, and are having a tough time adjusting to being alone again.
Dogs, in particular, thrive on a routine, so Shapiro-Ward advises getting them used to a new schedule long before heading back to work. For example, begin adjusting walk times to the new workday.
“That way, when you do leave for the office, rather than everything changing all at once, only one aspect is changing,” she added.
Also, try leaving home for short periods of time, then gradually increase the duration of absences.
Other options include daycare and dog walkers, but after months of almost no business, they are suddenly scrambling to keep up with demand.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.