Animal charity Blue Cross warns dog owners to be on the lookout for signs that their puppy is stressed, which he says could lead to behavioral issues.
Clearly, signs that a dog is stressed, loss of appetite, aggression, the tail between the legs or the back of someone or something, says Blue Cross.
Subtle signs of tension that can be more easily missed include excessive panting, moving back and forth, a dog licking its lips when not eating or drinking, and turning its ears backwards.
The British charity is concerned that thousands of dogs could be sold or abandoned if the signs of stress were misinterpreted as a personality disorder.
Subtle signs of stress that an owner may miss or misinterpret are excessive panting, moving back and forth, licking lips (when not eating or drinking) and pulling back his ears
“Signs of stress can be easily missed or misunderstood,” Karly Smith, animal rights activist at Blue Cross, told MailOnline.
‘We might think, for example, that a dog that yawns is just tired, or if he does not eat, that he just is not hungry.
“Both can actually be signs that your dog is anxious about something.”
Blue Cross is also afraid that some dogs may be stressed and develop behavioral problems, as routines at home begin to change when the Covid 19 shutdown ends.
Dogs bought as puppies in the past year have never known what it is like to have their family at all times.
The sudden change when owners start commuting back to the office can cause separation anxiety in dogs.
Owners therefore need to get their dogs used to short half-hour periods to be alone now, to get them used to being possibly longer longer alone.
Clear signs that a dog is stressed include appetite, aggression, tail between his legs or hiding from someone or something, Blue Cross says.
Over the past year, Blue Cross has received more than 500 calls to its behavior pattern from concerned owners in need of advice.
“Many of the calls last year were due to pets struggling with changes in their routine, and that people and families were more at home,” said Claire Haynes, also a veterinarian at Blue Cross.
‘Dogs love routine and the new normal can be confusing and stressful for them.
‘By changing routines, it can be a shock and lead to more stressed pets and behavioral problems if the signs are not noticed early and not handled correctly.
“In the most severe cases, stress can lead to unwanted behaviors, such as aggression and health problems.”
In the UK, hundreds of dogs bought as puppies during the lockdown last year were abandoned by owners claiming they did not have the time or means to look after them, it was recently revealed.
Some people have paid out large sums for new dogs and puppies during lockdown, and prices are still rising due to demand, and some owners may sell their dog online to recover a portion of their financial investment.
Vendors flooded pet sites with ads for dogs between six and 12 months old, and many young pups showed up at rescue centers.
Puppies in particular have missed out on normal life in the past year – due to lock-in measures, they were unable to attend training classes.
This lack of training and socialization only increases the risk of behavioral issues.
Blue Cross therefore appeals to people who are struggling with the behavior of a pet to seek help and advice from a charity or registered trainer, rather than giving up the animal and selling it to a new owner.
Dr Roger Mugford, an animal psychologist used by the royal family, advised dog owners to keep 30 minutes away from their pets several times a day to leave them alone when the lockdown ends.
Blue Cross also believes that owners should plan ahead and gradually apply their routine to ensure their pets are ready for ‘the new normal’.
In some cases, dog owners can take their pets on public transportation to keep them company all day.
“If you go to work with your dog, practice the trails with them so that by the time you return to the office, your dog trusts you to ride the train or subway with you,” says Smith.
‘If you plan to leave your dog at home while you go to the office, make sure you build up the time you spend away from them so they can get used to you not always being there.
‘We would never recommend leaving a dog alone for long periods of time, so if necessary, you can arrange, arrange or build a dog sitter or someone who trusts your pet so that you can have the confidence to leave them together.
“Slowly start making changes to your daily routine.”
For more advice, concerned owners can visit Blue Cross’ dedicated dog stress website.
King’s corgi trainer reveals that dogs will get ‘extreme separation anxiety’ if the exclusion is lifted after they get used to it.
Dr Roger Mugford, pictured at his home in Surrey, an animal psychologist used by the royal family, said owners should prepare their pets for returning to a normal routine to avoid problems.
The queen’s corgi trainer claims that dogs will experience ‘severe separation anxiety’ when the exclusion is lifted after spoiled paws have become accustomed to their owners being at home.
Dr Roger Mugford, an animal psychologist used by the royal family, said owners should prepare their pets for returning to a normal routine to prevent problems.
In an interview with The Times, Chertsey’s specialist, Surrey explained that while people work from home, dogs can build up a ‘large reservoir’ of excessive dependence, which can make them suffer later.
‘When dogs are left alone, they can chew the house, irritate the neighbors by barking incessantly, urinating and defecating, sometimes even causing harm.
“Put a webcam on your dog, then you will see howls and passes and other emergency signs,” he said.
He advises owners to walk away from their pets 30 minutes several times a day to make it easier for them to be alone when the closure ends.
Anxiety in humans increased during the coronavirus pandemic, which took more than 16,000 lives in the UK and infected more than 125,000 people.
Many relied on their pets for emotional support, said dr. Mugford explains.
He said pets would see a ‘big shock’ if the exclusion was lifted, and they meanwhile needed short structured training sessions.
The trainer has been a helping hand to the royal family for many years and helped train Princess Anne’s dog Dotty in 2002 after biting two children in Windsor Great Park.
He also visited Windsor Castle to help the Queen control her corgis and dorgis, which are Daschund corgi crosses.
Dr Mugford, who also trains the dogs of celebrities and rock stars, was called in to help when the monarch had eight or nine dogs, and ‘fairly dangerous’ fights broke out between them.
The trainer helped solve the specific problem, but said the queen is a ‘wonderful dog owner and trainer’, adding that she could easily do his job in her younger days.
“She is very methodical and uses rule-based procedures,” he said.