As I prepare to go back to school, I find myself in disbelief that I will, once again, be without my dogs for months on end. I know that I will return home soon, as I hope they think so too, but sometimes I wonder if soon is soon enough.

Dogs are creatures of habit, and when you break their routines, they become inherently anxious. The last thing I want is to cause my pups any unnecessary stress or worry, so I’ve found some ways to help them relax before I leave. Whether you are leaving for days, weeks, or months, these tips can add some calm during a time of change.

First, make sure that your dogs are in good hands while you are away. They should stay with someone that both you and your pets trust. In my case, I’m the one who’s leaving, and not my whole family. However, should the entirety of your house leave, try to find a relative or close friend who has a strong familiarity with your dogs. Try a couple of day visits before leaving.

If leaving your dogs with someone you already know is not a possibility, take them to a kennel that does both day and overnight care. Try to take your pups a few times for day care before leaving them overnight. By doing this, you enable your dogs to become familiar with their new environment, which will help them build confidence that you will return to pick them up.

Second,  in the days before you leave, create a routine that will help with the adjustment.

For me, this means slowly weaning my dogs off of my affection. As hard as this is, lessening the time I spend with them daily will help with the shock of their being without me. In other cases, this could mean adjusting walking  time, keeping my dogs outdoors longer (with shade and ample water, of course), or creating a feeding schedule if there hadn’t been one before. This step is largely dependent on where your dogs are going, and how long you will be gone.

Third, decrease the levels of stress in the house before you leave. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your dogs will be. Leave all of your stress about plans and logistics for while you are at work or after your pups have gone to sleep. The changed routine, and a sense of calm, can help your dogs know that, although things are different, there is nothing to worry about.

Finally, establish your presence in their life while your gone. This could mean leaving your dogs with a toy that you all love to play with, or maybe taking along a familiar throw from your bed. This, along with the reassurance that you are coming home (as established by the short-term visits), keeps the notion of your constant in their world. Less anxiety leads to less behavioral problems.

Bonus: Don’t punish your dogs for anything that they do while you are gone, or reprimand any behavioral adjustments that they might display after coming home. It is important to guide their mannerisms back to the right path in your home, but to do it as passively as possible.

Yes, leaving your dogs is difficult, but with a few adjustments, it can be easier on them, which makes it easier on you. Take some time to help them adjust, which will remove some of their separation anxiety.

Tags: dog tips, Dogs, leaving, seperation anxiety