Many dog lovers fret about leaving their beloved pets home during the day with no one around, and with good
reason. Dogs are true companion animals and require lots of love and attention. Many people are now adopting dogs from shelters, and shelter or rescue dogs can sometimes come with separation anxiety. Whether they fear being abandoned or returned to the shelter, or some other reason, your pup can benefit from having a pet sitter or doggy daycare to look forward to every day. There are many benefits of dog sitters or daycare that will help reduce or eliminate anxiety.
Your dog will have a new friend to focus on
One of the reasons dogs experience separation anxiety may come from not having had enough human contact while in the rescue or shelter. Shelters are often woefully understaffed, and the volunteers or staff may have trouble giving each dog enough attention. When you adopt a dog that has been neglected, intentionally or not, separation anxiety often comes whenever you leave. This can lead to disruptive or destructive behaviors such as barking, howling, chewing, or digging, and can also lead to health problems with your dog. By distracting the dog with a daily visitor, your anxious pet can learn to socialize, and exposure to other people can help him slowly learn that not only are you going to come back each time you leave, but other people care for him too. An added bonus is if your dog walker takes care of other dogs, or if you send him to doggy daycare, he will meet other dogs as well, leading to new playmates to keep him busy. In addition, a visit from a dog sitter can break up an otherwise monotonous day.
Your dog will get more exercise and release tension
One of the leading causes of destructive dog behavior is too much energy. Dogs are naturally full of energy, especially puppies, and need regular exercise. The eight or ten or twelve hours you’re away from the house can make a dog stir-crazy, which can increase anxiety and create behavioral problems like chewing, digging, and barking. Regular exercise like a mid-day walk can alleviate stress and help him release tension, so when he sees you at the end of the day, he’s excited to see you and not just hyperactive.
Your dog will receive mental stimulation and keep his mind busy
Another problem with long days alone at home is boredom, which can lead to bad behaviors. A dog-walker or doggy daycare can provide mental stimulation and challenges to keep his mind occupied. If your dog is kept mentally busy and plays throughout the day, he won’t be as bored and you’re less likely to come home to a big mess in the yard or house.
An overall happier, healthier dog
The small cost involved in hiring a dog sitter or daycare should be seen as an investment. Whether you choose an individual sitter, exchange sitting and play-date duties with other dog parents, or enroll in doggy daycare, the investment is minimal and can result in excellent returns. The minor cost will be offset by reduced destruction of furniture or other belongings, fewer neighbor complaints, and a happier pet–which is, after all, the ultimate goal anyway.
Laruen Colman serves as the digital marketer for the dog boarding and dog sitting community at Rover.com and is a true dog lover at heart. Lauren spends her days at the office with her dogs Squish and Brando by her side. For more dog tips, you can follow Rover.com on Twitter @roverdotcom or on their blog, Dog Boarding News.
Tags: boarding a dog, dog shelters, dog walker, doggy daycare, Pet Sitting, separation anxiety
