Over the past several months, your pet may have grown accustomed to having you home throughout the day. Or maybe you've brought home a new pet during the pandemic and you haven't spent much time out of the house since you brought them home. In either case, you may be nervous about returning to your workday routine outside of the house. Some pets may make the transition easily, while others might need some help reducing their stress as you prepare to be away more often. Follow these tips and watch the video above to make the end of working from home easier on your pet.
Bring Your Dog to the Vet for a Checkup

Schedule a checkup with the vet.

If your dog has any underlying medical issues, he or she may have a harder time staying cooped up indoors all day. Alternatively, your veterinarian may offer solutions for easing stress and mitigating unwanted behaviors in pets struggling with separation anxiety. 

Stick with a consistent morning routine

Pets respond to consistency, and they don't tend to like disruption in their routines. So, establish feeding and walk times you'll be able to stick to when you head back to the office. If your dog has gotten especially used to a lunchtime walk, a dog walking service can fill in when you're back at work during this time. Do keep in mind that most dog walkers will want to meet new clients before scheduling daytime walks, so you shouldn't count on booking services at the last minute.

Create Space Between You and Your Pet Around the House

While we all love to cuddle with our pets, it may be problematic if your pet never wants to leave your side. As you continue working from home now, practice separation from your pet with a baby gate or screen door—a barrier that provides physical but not visual separation. This can help soften the blow when you're getting ready to leave the house daily.

Establish a Calm Mood When You Leave the House and Arrive Back Home

Dogs look to their human companions for emotional cues, which means you can set the tone for leaving the house and arriving back home. Avoid a drawn-out goodbye with your dog; simply provide them with a treat or a quick pat on the head and make your way out. When returning home, avoid encouraging overly excited behavior with a big entrance. Wait until your dog is visibly calm and attentive, then provide some affection and greetings. These steps will help maintain a sense of calm surrounding your absence, telling your dog not to panic while you're away. WaggnTails Pet Care can make life easier for you and your pet as you go back to work. With daytime pet sitting, dog walking services, and even overnight stays with your pet, we can ensure that there's always a loving presence at home for your dog. Get started with us today!