How Might Our Home Isolation Affect or Pets : By Mairead Ashcroft

Moon Shadow the Therapy Dog  is co-therapist in my Animal Assisted Psychotherapy team, Specialising in Adult survivors of Childhood Trauma. Life has changed enormously for her since community centres closed and group activities ceased due to Coronavirus restrictions. Not only has she temporarily stepped down as the Queen of the Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre but she also has no private clients to meet and greet in our private practice. There are no more pats from school kids, and she has not been into the chemist, Bunnings or out for a cuppa for weeks.

Have you considered how the life changes due to COVID-19 might be affecting your fur child? Some of our smaller animals, mice, rats, rabbits, turtles and other little creatures might be experiencing some over handling or excessive noise if they are close to the T.V, computers or music. Cats will generally look after themselves but can show signs of stress and ultimately, physical illness when they are out of their routine. Like cats, dogs are also creatures of habit and although they love being with their humans, need much more sleep than we might expect,  some breeds anywhere between 12 to 14 hours or more per day depending on age. When overtired, cats and dogs might display uncharacteristic behaviours like scratching and bighting, which is not OK. Cats and dogs are also particularly talented at picking up on their human’s stress and that is what I would specifically like to address now.

Due to the isolation laws at the moment, the lives of many of our pets have been turned upside-down. Dogs who are used to going on daily walks and socializing with other dogs in large groups, are no longer permitted to do so. Dogs who have previously spent most of their lives never leaving their yard,  and not being taught socialization skills, are now suddenly flooding parks and sporting fields. Many of the owners of these dogs have poor control over their dog’s behaviours and some seem quite surprised and a little frightened to see their placid couch pooch transform into a snarling, barking beast. The dog’s behaviour may create anxiety for the owner which, in turn, might encourage the dog to become protective of its owner, perpetuating a vicious cycle of barking and snarling with possible disastrous outcomes.


When the trained and socialized dog experiences this event  with regularity, they to may pick up on the anxiety that is being displayed. We cannot be responsible for the behaviour of others but as a dog owner, we are responsible for being the best example of calmness and routine to our pets, particularly in times of uncertainty. It is very important to continue with our regular training and exercise to let our dogs know that we are here for them and that they can trust our judgment. For Example - If a dog barks at your dog and your dog uncharacteristically barks back,

• Scold your dog with a loud and deep growly, “NO”. You are the boss and protector
• Move them away from the situation 
• Ask your dog to sit 
• And when they do, lavish him/her in praise and pats with lots of “Good boy/girls”.
• Then continue on your way as if nothing happened
• Our aim as responsible dog owners is to provide stability and safety for our pets, not to change some one else's behaviour. Keep calm and breathe. Our dogs will be lead by our example. 

 
It is really important to make sure that your dog knows a distinct difference between acceptable and non-acceptable behaviours. They need to know that barking at other dogs is not OK but walking pat another dog quietly will get them the reward of a pat and praise. This will let your dog know that although life is different at the moment, you have everything under control, and they have nothing to worry about. If we are able we might try using our dog walking time solely for that one purpose.

• Keep cell phones off, 
• Allow our dogs the time to sniff their environment, because there are a lot of new dogs in their territory and they will need to explore  
• Talk to our dogs and engage them in play and training when we are out if it is safe to do so   
• It is very important to keep an eye out for other dogs in our environment to gage their body language and your dogs safety. Always have your lead and your dogs attention.  

I have decided to take Moon Shadow out for her walks and training when it is more likely that there will be fewer dog walkers about. We head out just before dark, before, during or after the rain or very early morning. Moon shadow loves puddles.

Something to be mindful of is that isolation will not go on forever. We will go back to our workplaces and once again leave our pets at home. To avoid reinforcing future separation anxiety in our pets, it is very important to try and refrain from making our pets our source of entertainment or only company or connection while we are in isolation only to leave them in a couple of months’ time. Think about what their daily routine might have been before you were at home and try your best to create a similar environment for them during isolation. Love them, cuddle them, play with them, but remember that they too are living beings with feelings who pick up on our anxiety and have needs and anxieties of their own. We might choose to use a little of the time that we have at home to find out what keeps our dogs brains fulfilled and create some brain training toys for our fur babies, ready for when we go back to normality. I know that Moon Shadow can't wait to get back to work. I might do a few pretend counselling or art therapy sessions with my husband just to make her happy.
Stay safe and healthy
Live your Bliss
Mairead and Moon Shadow