As Covid-19 restrictions continue to lift, National Pet Month has joined forces with The Kennel Club and Dogs Trust to provide some top tips to help your dog re-adjust to life after lockdown.  

It’s not just us that have had to deal with major changes in our routine after having spent months at home. Our dogs have too. They’ve been beside us every step of the way.

So, now as we re-adjust to life after lockdown, it’s important we support our canine companions during these changes.

Many pet organisations like The Kennel Club and Dogs Trust are offering advice to new and existing dog owners on navigating certain situations and environments.
 

The Kennel Club’s Paw-by-Paw Guide Out Of Lockdown, published earlier this year, aims to help owners and their dogs re-adjust to the wider world and includes loads of helpful tips on walking in the countryside, warm weather advice and guidance on navigating dog-friendly venues.

It also includes top tips for travel and staycations and ways to ensure dogs are comfortable around new people and animals.

“Whether you have a well-balanced dog or a new puppy, a year of pandemic restrictions means that our pets have missed out on lots of socialisation opportunities, walks to new or further afield places, trips away and generally life as we knew it,” says Bill Lambert, head of health and welfare at The Kennel Club.

“In fact, many puppies may have only experienced life in lockdown, and we can’t expect them to immediately adapt to what ‘normal’ life is like; we need to ease them in and help them to learn about the wider world.

“Many puppies, and even older dogs, will have lost vital socialisation and training opportunities due to lockdown restrictions and need their owners to lead the way, recognising their responsibilities and preparing them as the world continues to open up.”

Check out the 'Paw-by-Paw Guide' on the Kennel Club website.

 

Dogs Trust has also created some easy-to-follow videos to help you and your four-legged friend re-adjust.

They include short video clips on training your dog for visitors, 3 easy steps to teach your dog to come back to you, how to stop your dog pulling on the lead, making your puppy feel comfortable when being handled, how to prevent your dog guarding food and toys, how to stop your dog jumping up and much more.

Watch them here. 

What’s been the best thing for you and your dog coming out of lockdown?

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