It's going to get difficult for dogs

[longearedbat]

Just looking at the amount of puppies for sale as an example, who is going to buy them now? You can't really travel to view and it may be difficult to get them vaccinated, socialised etc. Also, all the dogs whose owners can no longer afford them, and then also the poor (flat dwelling) dogs who are tolerated rather than loved - will they be put out on the street?
I know this applies to all pet/companion animals (horses especially are difficult to care for atm), but I can just see a massive explosion of unwanted 4 legged friends of all types.
I am retired, so my own dog hasn't noticed any difference so far as we lead a quiet and fairly isolated rural life anyway, but I realised this morning that, of course, she won't be able to go to the groomers either. I can do her myself (and I will have to), but it's a functional rather than professional cut - very functional indeed! Oh well, I suppose it will give me a chance to try and improve my trimming skills.

[Snufflesdog]

Weird that you’ve Specifically described all dogs that are tolerated rather than loved as being flat dwelling?
Or they’re the only unfortunate ones, as the ones in houses aren’t loved but do have a garden? So they’re fine?

[pigsDOfly]

Yes, not sure why you assume all flat dwelling dogs are tolerated, but that apart, it probably true that a lot of dogs will end up being dumped.

I've already seen something on fb, asking people not to dump their dogs.

I suspect that a lot of people are going to lose their jobs, small businesses will go bust, and big ones come to that, people might even lose their homes. It's a horrible thought, but I imagine a lot of dogs are going to become unwanted.

[Floralnomad]

Aside from the reduced number of walks my dog is thoroughly enjoying himself . He’s being allowed to play ball indoors which is usually banned and he’s growing his hair which is also normally not allowed . He’s currently snoozing on the settee and looking forward to the chicken that I’m going to roast for dinner .

[Karcheer]

@floralnomad one of mine is very happy, the forest has been closed (she hates walks), the other was a bit sad about that, but glad he can't go the groomers...
the cat on the other hand is annoyed she can't sleep on the bed all day, and keeps being disturbed...

[longearedbat]

Ah, I've just read that back and I worded it badly - what I meant is that some dogs do not have such caring homes as others, although of course where they live is irrelevant, but... It will be more difficult for people who live in flats with no outside space to pee and poo their dogs for example, so if these dogs are already a bit of an afterthought/nuisance/unwanted expense, they are more likely to end up in a rescue, that's all.
I know most people love their dogs and would do anything to keep them happy regardless of the current circumstances, but, even on here, I have seen posts from people who are at their wits end with their dogs or puppies and are asking if they should rehome them because, for example their children are frightened of them, or they can't walk them properly. These are the ones I am thinking of.

[Snufflesdog]

Our main issue is not allowing our pup to develop separation anxiety by getting used to us being here 24/7!
She’s definitely making this whole thing harder. I can see why people may get stressed.
I’m also self employed and she’s an extra cost now to my complete lack of income.

But equally she is a lovely reason to keep some structure to our day and she provides a lot of love and comfort and company too.
Not to mention I think when you take a dog on you are considering how you will get through the tough times with them surely. It’s not a decision to take lightly so I am surprised that people are already dumping dogs at this early stage.

For ours, she’s switched to one long walk instead of two longer walks, but otherwise she’s certainly loving the extra treats and attention she’s got, the new walks as we’re avoiding our usual routes, and we’d got a few extra toys and chews in to keep her occupied over the next few weeks, that I’m sure she’s going to appreciate!

[pigsDOfly]

I'm beginning to get a bit worried about separation anxiety with my dog.

I'm retired so am here most of the time but nothing like I am at the moment.

She's always been a pretty independent sort of gal but she seems to be following me around a bit at the moment and wanting to know where I am, which she's never done before.

I've got to go out tomorrow, the first time for a about nine days, so I'll see how she is then.

Perhaps she's picking up on my own feelings of stress and it'll sort itself out when this is all over, I hope so.

[willowpatterns]

If it means that unscrupulous puppy farm breeders think twice before breeding any more, then that's a good thing, surely?

[Snufflesdog]

@pigsDOfly I’ve been keeping ours downstairs and making everyone go upstairs for at least an hour a day - even if it’s just showers and hanging out the washing and a few other bits, I do it all in one go so she has to be alone a bit at least! It may be worth trying with yours. Ours is super clingy so I’m just too scared to take too much of a step back!

[pigsDOfly]

@Snufflesdog Your dog is still very young I take it, so I can understand why you'd be concerned she will get used to everyone at home.

What you're doing sound good. It's so important that they learn to entertain themselves and be alone.

Mine isn't particularly clingy, and by a lot of people's standards she's probably still very independent. She's just a bit more needy than she's been up to now. She'll be 9 years old on lst April so I suppose I'm use to her behaving in a particular way; she's long lived breed so not old by any means.

There's only her and me here so she's got no one else to focus on. I'm probably worrying about nothing, I just don't want her to feel lonely when I finally do go out.

I don't think it'll be a problem, she's actually out in the garden by herself at the moment digging her way to Australia, so she's seems happy enough to be by herself.

[JuanSheetIsPlenty]

I’ve noticed a huge increase in barking and howling around my street and on our daily walks since last week. either people unable to get their dogs walked (no dog walkers working?) or they have shoved the dogs outside as they’re home with the kids now instead of being out at work/school.

[pigsDOfly]

@JuanSheetIsPlenty My dog is spending a lot more time in the garden now that the weather has improved and she's recently taken up digging.

It's very quiet here normally but because more people are at home there are more noises than she's used to so she is a bit more barky than she would be under normal circumstances; although, she does stop when I tell her to calm down.

There might be a similar reason of some the barking you're hearing, although howling sounds a bit more serious.

[JuanSheetIsPlenty]

Yes the howling sounds so sad. I can’t always see where it’s coming from but some of it is from sheds and kennels. there are two big German Shepard’s in a tiny cage on one of my walks. Never seen them there before last week. The just whine. Breaks my heart.

[pigsDOfly]

Oh that's horrible. Poor things, so sad.

[Karcheer]

Mine are definitely barking more, they are only have one proper walk and a shorter toilet walk, so they are bored a bit, but I think it’s more children are in gardens, people are mowing their lawns etc, normally it’s quiet here, so a bit weird for them.

[JuanSheetIsPlenty]

Yes loads more activity and shorter/fewer walks is going to get them antsy. It must be weird for them too.

[adaline]

On the contrary my dog absolutely loves having us both at home. He gets two walks a day (we each take him separately) plus company while he sunbathes in the garden.

He seems much happier.

[JuanSheetIsPlenty]

My boy is loving it too. But others will be a bit antsy and some will be downright miserable if they’re being left out in gardens or sheds because the family is in the house all day and they don’t want the dog in.

[SybilWrites]

my dog is in the process of having a very amateur, drastic hair cut. Her pride will be massively dented.

other than that, she is loving that we're all at home with her. She has several potential dog walkers a day. she's thoroughly pampered. I think she'll hate it when we all go back to work/school.

[MadisonAvenue]

My dog doesn’t cope well with changes to his routine which always results in diarrhea and that’s what we’re dealing with today. I have some tablets which I bought from Amazon a couple of months ago thankfully, the vet prescribed them a couple of years ago when he was really suffering so I’ve always tried to keep some by me. Hopefully they’ll do the trick this time.

[JuanSheetIsPlenty]

Ahh the poor pet Madison! Hope he’s feeling better soon.

[pigsDOfly]

Well, I had to go out this morning and far from being upset by it my dog was doing her usual 'come on, off you go' bark because she knows when I go out she'll be getting a rare treat: small pieces of chicken in her treat ball.

She was very calm and casual when I got home, so I think my worry about separation anxiety was completely unnecessary, thankfully.

Off for a walk in the sunshine with her now.

[pigsDOfly]

Oh sorry to hear about Madison dog.

Hope the pill do the trick for him.

[BiteyShark]

BiteyDog is loving it at the moment as both DH and I are working at home which means he gets attention everytime one of us has a break.

It is helped by the weather being nice so we can play in the garden.