21/03/2020
Morning all! Hands up if you’re self isolating, or preparing to? There are some great tips in here if so...
SELF ISOLATION AND DOGS
Self-isolation may be causing a degree of anxiety if you (or your family) have dogs and are worried they may not be able to get as much exercise as usual.
At the time of writing, there is no need for healthy people younger than 70yrs to restrict their dog walking, unless you feel you should to protect vulnerable family members.
Even those over 70 can still get out for walks in the fresh air, as long as they protect themselves by maintaining a safe distance from people and follow the precautions below.
If you walk in areas where there are gates, take hand sanitizer with you and use it each time you open and close a gate (before you touch your dog or your dog's lead again). Even better, an alcohol-free soap based spray will destroy the virus if you come into manual contact with it.
Avoid touching other people's dogs and don't allow them to touch your dog, even if you know them well.
If it does happen, a good wipe over with a soap-based wipe, rather than an alcohol one, will help.
The virus's outer "skin" is made of lipids (fats), which is also the basis of soap. The lipids in the virus are dissolved by the lipids in soap, which breaks the virus wall. This is why soap is better than sanitiser.
EXERCISE RESTRICTION NEEDN'T BE BAD
For older or vulnerable people who can't go out at all, it can reassure them to know that most dogs will cope with restricted exercise for longer than people think. Dogs who have to be placed on crate rest through injury often cope surprisingly well, in fact some of them become much calmer as a consequence - as long as their confinement is managed well.
You can keep your dog's brain and body busy with mental enrichment: sniff activities, games and short training exercises which will deepen your relationship.
Doing these activities at times when you would usually walk your dog means they are less likely to "nag" you at walk time.
And putting on walking equipment and doing a bit of loose lead practise in the garden is valuable for most dogs! It can get both of you out of the house, into the fresh air and boost your moods 😊
FAKE A WORKING DAY!
Structuring your day to reflect your normal working day means that your dog won't become overly reliant on you once you go back to work. If you have a dog who is prone to be overly dependent on you, set up your work area in a corner upstairs, or in a room away from your dog, and leave her in her safe place that she would normally be when you leave her. Try leaving her with a stuffed Kong at first so that she doesn't feel worried about being shut away from you.
Mirroring your work hours, by going to this "work corner" and leaving her in another room means that she will be able to adapt more easily to you going back to work.
Avoid giving her too much attention during this period at home because she is likely to become more reliant on you and may struggle when you return to work.
It's interesting how many teachers' dogs find it hard when their families go back to school after holidays, because they have had so much input for several weeks, and they find it difficult to adjust to being home alone again.
KEEPING HEARTS AND MINDS HAPPY
If you would like some ideas for Sniff Activities to keep brain and body stimulated while walks are restricted, please email me at [email protected] and ask for my free pdf Sniff Games for Busy, Dizzy, Fizzy Dogs.
