With Hurricane Irma behind us, many Bradenton & Sarasota residents have returned home from having evacuated the area.
First, I hope that your families and homes are all safe, and without damage. And I hope that your power is back on!
Whether your dog traveled with you, spent time in a pet motel, or spent vacation time at home with a sitter, the transition time upon your return can be traumatic. Your kids have a hard time dealing with the end of vacation or getaway, and so will your dog.
Causes
Your dog loves the routine, just the same way that you do. When our routines get thrown off, it takes us a few days or so to settle in, too. If you have been vacationing or evacuated with your pets, you need to get them back into their normal routine, just like getting your kids prepare for back-to-school.
As with most people, pets also tend to over-indulge on trips and it’s important to re-establish healthier eating patterns. Whether it was a vacation or a road trip to get away from the storm. Realize that you may have been feeding your dog different foods and at different times than you typically would.
Solutions
So what should you do to help your dog get back into the swing of things?
First, don’t assume it is just “bad behavior” for the sake of it. Dogs act certain ways for a reason, and are trying to communicate something to you.
Second, set some realistic expectations that the first week back together may be a bit “off” and afford your dog some extra patience as you help them re-acclimate to their environment and routine.
Lastly, if your dog’s unusual behavior lasts for more than a week or so, contact a professional dog trainer to explore other possibilities of what the underlining issues may be.
