Pandemic Dogs

The boredom of pandemic life had us going to great lengths to entertain ourselves: baking sourdough, crocheting (among other old lady-style crafts), and for some families, including mine, a “pandemic puppy.” Over 23 million American households have added a new pet to their family since March 2020. The reasons for adopting a puppy in a time of self-isolation are clear: dogs provide entertainment through endless games of fetch, a sense of companionship for those who are living isolated from others due to social distancing, and of course, emotional support through cuddles that have been proven to reduce depression and loneliness. Dog-lovers that may not have had the time to care for an animal before quarantine suddenly found themselves with more time that they could dedicate to introducing a puppy into their home. As the proud owner of an adorable pandemic puppy, I can’t pretend that I don’t love everything about this phenomenon. However, many dog owners (and their neighbors) have started to notice some downsides. Owning a dog is not cheap, and those who may have lost jobs due to the pandemic find themselves scrambling to keep up with their dog’s needs. Also, puppies are incredibly effective in increasing happiness, but after helping their owners through the grief and trauma of the pandemic, they have been found to be incredibly empathetic, and this could be impacting the puppies’ emotional wellness more than we realize.

Most difficult for owners, however, is the behavior of puppies who spent the first six months/year of their lives at home with their owners. This period of time is the most important in a dog’s development, which many novice puppy owners don’t realize. As we transition into a post-pandemic world, kids and adults alike are spending their days at school, work, dinners, vacations, and more, and their pandemic dogs have no idea how to be alone. Some resort to biting furniture or themselves in distress. While a dog’s crate should be their personal haven, some dogs will “do their business” in their crates when their owners leave. Dropping pups off at doggy day care has also become a major challenge, because even dogs who were perfectly content leaving their owners’ sides before the pandemic have literally forgotten how to spend time alone. Or at least away from their primary pack/family.

If dogs can’t deal with separating from their companions, entering new spaces is proving to be even more difficult. The vet is among these stimulating environments, which poses an obvious problem. Walking your dog is a necessity, but it becomes exponentially harder when they can’t make new friends or even walk past another pet without causing a ruckus. Dog sitters and walkers are more difficult to hire for dogs that struggle so much to navigate their way through the world.

The data regarding the impact of these issues on dog ownership is mixed, but according to the American Kennel Club, 73% of dog owners are considering rehoming their dogs, or putting them up for adoption. Daycares and sitters are overwhelmed with requests, and, not equipped to handle untrained and anxious dogs, end up having to turn down more jobs than ever before. But for those of us lucky enough to have gone through the pandemic with a puppy by our side, it isn’t too late! With enough crate training, positive reinforcement, and lots and lots of treats, we can slowly but surely teach our puppies (and ourselves) to adjust to a post-pandemic world. Now get out there--you and your pup can do it!