Findings on Corona Virus and your dogs behaviour.
As we pass the 3rd year anniversary of the Corona Virus Pandemic, I’ve put together some interesting correlations between the dog and its owner.
On March 23rd 2020 our lives were thrown into turmoil, the world had been hit by a deadly virus and no one was exempt from falling prey to it.
As a nation we had never experienced anything like this before and it was a time of fear, uncertainty, sadness, loss and bereavement.
So, a lot of us reached for a dog as a companion to ease our stress, vulnerability and anxiety.
But were we really the correct ‘mindset’ or ‘energy’ to care, lead and train our new canine additions – were we really up to the job?
After all, dogs love nothing more than a calm leader to guide them through their life stages.
Over the last 3 years l have worked with a higher number of dog owners who have reported a change in their dog’s behaviour, either while we were in the pandemic, or post pandemic.
A lot of these owners reporting that they changed their routines, habits or boundaries with their dogs during the pandemic.
The majority of owners during this time, said they indulged their dogs, allowing them into rooms, spaces or on furnishings that normally would be off limits.
As these owners said…..it was comforting to have their dogs closer to them.
Some of them were reporting that they had or were now experiencing forms of aggressive traits that they didn’t experience pre covid….. EG possessiveness, dominance, plus territorial tendencies.
DID COVID CHANGE OUR DOGS BEHAVIOUR?
OR
DID COVID WEAKEN OUR DOGS LEADERS/OWNERS?