Do you have questions about how to keep your dog healthy and happy post lockdown? Ask PDSA vet and animal expert, Anna Ewers - £200 voucher to be won

[GraceEMumsnet]

You can find Anna's answers to all of your questions below - we're no longer taking questions on this thread

As the UK went into lockdown last year, most of us had a lot more time at home, and as a result, puppy sales soared. One year on, these pups will be reaching adolescence and some owners may be noticing a change in their dog’s behaviour. Many won’t have experienced the usual socialisation during their early years because of the pandemic, so their health and wellbeing is a priority as they adjust to life in the big wide world. With this in mind, PDSA vet Anna Ewers Clark will be on hand to answer your questions about preparing your adolescent pets for life after lockdown.

Here’s some more information about PDSA vet Anna: “Anna Ewers Clark is a vet working for the UK’s leading veterinary charity PDSA, who provide free and low-cost veterinary care to the pets of owners in need. She has worked in several PDSA Pet Hospitals across the UK, writes for the PDSA Pet Health Hub and provides veterinary advice for the charity’s communications team. She also has a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Anna lives with her dog, Kirk, and two rescue rabbits, Jack and Harley.”

Here’s what PDSA has to say: “As we start to socialise with friends and family again and visit new places, it’s important pets’ flea and worming treatments are kept up to date, especially if they’re exploring and mixing with other pets. PDSA has a range of flea and worm treatments available, helping to keep your four-legged friend and your family pest-free.”

Whether you’re worried about your dog’s behaviour, changing your pet’s routine post lockdown, or pesky fleas and worms, ask your questions on this thread and PDSA vet Anna will be back on the 23rd June to answer some of your questions.

All who leave a question will also be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

Ideas and suggestions for re-introducing family members to dogs who they haven't seen for a long long time. We haven't seen granny and grandad's dog for well over a year now because of shielding and we wondered how to make it a calm and positive experience for both their dog and our kids without overexcitement or anxiety etc.

Star, our Spitz, gets panicky if we leave the house. This has happened since I had to have my Malamute, Nakoma put to sleep in September. I think he thinks that we won't be coming home too, like Nakoma, even though we do. Sometimes we arrive home to a wee in the kitchen. We leave the tv on for him. What else can we do? Anything would be great as a suggestion, thank you.

After spending almost 18 months with my 11 year old dog, I am concerned about him feeling lonely or abandoned. What is the best way to introduce this and how long will it take to settle him into a new regime? I would welcome your advice.

What are the best things to help with dental care for puppies?

Like many people, we will be moving house in the next few months. Our dog and cat will have to cope with a new house & being home alone at times. How can I best alleviate their stress?

My 11 year old jack russell shakes even in hot weather
can you please advise what can be the problem

My beagle cross barks and pulls at the lead when we see another dog approaching. I try to distract him with treats and get his eye contact on me and away from the other dog but he’s not that motivated by treats (unlike me ). Any ideas?! It’s getting embarrassing!

Bloody love him tho. One of my best decisions ever.

Considering adding a new power to the household as we lost our pet ferret a few months ago, so now it's just me and the 7.5yr old cocker. I've always had cats with my dogs but this dog doesn't seen too impressed. Suggestions please.

Thanks so much for all of your questions, Anna will be on the thread on the 23rd June to answer some of them!

The winner of the prize draw is @greig23 - congratulations

Hello everyone,

Thank you so much for your fantastic questions! I've loved hearing about your pets, and hopefully, I've been able to give you some helpful advice.

There were some key topics on your minds, which included separation problems and new experiences after lockdown. I know how worrying these problems can be, especially if you're worried your dog might become afraid or unhappy over the coming months, so I've tried to answer as many of you individually as possible.

For anyone wanting more information, here are a few links that might answer your questions.
Separation and preparing for the end of lockdown: pdsa.me/nKy7
Adolescent dogs and the end of lockdown: pdsa.me/3F8V
Separation anxiety: pdsa.me/GzDs
Dog behaviour problems: pdsa.me/MCEH
Dog fears or phobias: pdsa.me/Cm5N
Dental care for dogs: pdsa.me/Ewwi
Getting a puppy: pdsa.me/B8Y9
PDSA's Pet Health Hub: pdsa.me/xlwI

Hello @BristolMum96. I'm sorry to hear your puppy is nervous around new people. For many puppies that have grown up during lockdown, the relaxation of restrictions means lots of brand new experiences - and this can be quite stressful for them. Meeting new people and busy areas will start to be more common, so we've written a blog all about how to help your dog adjust: pdsa.me/3F8V. To help your dog, I would recommend taking things very slowly, so your pup gets used to new people gradually. Start by inviting one or two friends to meet you at the park or on a walk, tell them not to pay too much attention to your puppy (as stroking can be worrying for him, especially if he's small) and let him approach them in his own time. When he does decide to investigate, make sure they have some tasty treats for him to keep the experience positive. Repeat this with a few different people until he's confident making new human friends. While you're getting him used to new people, it's best to stop strangers approaching if possible - even well-meaning people can be a bit too friendly and make your dog feel nervous, so it's best to stick to those you know at the start. Once he seems more confident, you can start letting strangers approach, but ask them not to give him too much fuss and keep the 'meet and greet' short. Carry treats with you at all times to provide them to other people; that way, they can share the treats with him when they say hello. The most important thing is to take it at your dog's pace. If he ever seems nervous or uncomfortable, then move away. Over time, I'm sure he'll become more confident, but getting there might take time, patience, and lots of positive rewards!

Hello @FreshBeddingFreshBedding. I'm sorry to hear you're worried about your dog, and she's showing signs of canine dementia. Dogs can struggle with a dementia-like syndrome as they age, and we call this cognitive dysfunction. Symptoms include confusion, not sleeping at night, staring into space, becoming more nervous, and going to the toilet in the house. You can read more about the condition on our Pet Health Hub: pdsa.me/uywf. I would recommend getting your dog checked by your vet. They can look for the cause of her behaviour change and check for any other diseases that could be causing her symptoms. Although there isn't a cure for cognitive dysfunction, there are often things you can do to help keep your dog happy and comfortable. Sending you and your older girl best wishes.

Hi @GooodMythicalMorning. Great question - I know it's a big change for Kirk and me now that we're starting to come across more people out in public! My advice would be to take things slowly and make sure you reward your dog for staying calm when you're out and about. Although your dog might have been used to crowds or busy places before, just like us, they're now used to things being quiet and staying away from other people. So start by meeting up with a few people or taking a short trip to a public place and give your dog lots of rewards (treats or toys) if they're staying calm and happy. Then, as long as they're comfortable, start building up to busier areas. Hopefully, this will help your dog become confident again in public spaces.

Hello @BigLlamaLady. It's great that you're trying to help your dog and taking steps to keep him safe if he's always trying to get at food. It can be very worrying if your dog is always trying to eat things he shouldn't. I would recommend getting your dog checked by your vet, as they can look for a medical cause that might make him extra hungry and discuss the best diet for him to make sure he's getting all the nutrients he needs. Keeping up with his worming treatments is a good idea too, especially if he's young. I'd also recommend weighing him regularly and checking his body condition score: pdsa.me/3aAY. If he's eating more but losing weight, it's essential to tell your vet. You can find out more about the causes of weight loss on the Pet Health Hub: pdsa.me/BC5F. In the meantime, to keep him safe at home and while you're on walks, make sure you keep him away from anything dangerous or toxic that he might want to eat. For example, keep all food on high shelves, make sure he can't get to any dropped food at mealtimes or in the kitchen and avoid picnic areas and benches or long grass where you can't keep an eye out for dangers. You can find a list of toxins and first aid advice (just in case he does manage to eat something dangerous) on our website: pdsa.me/CQeg.

Hello @ladymodjo. It's great that you're starting to prepare now for your return to work. Being left alone is likely to be a brand new experience for your puppy, so it's good to take steps now to help. I'd recommend that you start getting back into your routine as soon as possible so your pup can adjust. Start getting up at the time you would head to the office, take your dog for a lunchtime walk and spend time with her in the evening as you would when you get home. You can try encouraging her to spend time on her own while you're at home too, by making her a special den in a different room to your office. You can find more tips in our blog on preventing separation problems after lockdown: pdsa.me/nKy7

Hello @MadamElderfield. Lockdown has affected many parts of our lives, but it has had a big impact on the socialisation period for many young dogs born during the pandemic, which means they might be more frightened of new things. Children can be worrying for dogs, especially if they're not sure how to interact. The key is to take things really slowly and try to make any time spent around children as positive as possible. Start by just walking near the park and reward your puppy for staying calm and focusing on you. Build this up to going closer. If your dog starts to get worried, then head back home, and the next time stay a bit further away. Hopefully, he'll learn that children can be noisy, but he doesn't need to be scared of them. You can find more help about dogs and children on our website, which will help you keep everyone safe and happy: pdsa.me/64LB

Hello @fishnships. I'm sorry to hear your dog has been struggling with separation problems. During the lockdown, our dogs have become really used to our company. If your dog struggled with separation issues before lockdown, they may worsen, as we're starting to leave home a bit more again. If your dog is already showing signs of separation anxiety, I'd recommend contacting your vet and an ABTC certified behaviourist to get help. Unfortunately, separation problems tend to get worse over time and can have a huge impact on you and your dog's quality of life, so it's best to take action now. Ideally, make arrangements so your dog isn't left alone while you're getting professional help. For example, you could ask a friend to stay with your dog or contact a local dog sitter. Also, think about ways to encourage your dog to be more independent. For example, setting up a den or safe space for him. You can find out more about separation anxiety on our Pet Health Hub: pdsa.me/GzDs

Hello @redbook. Separation problems can be a big issue for dogs, and it can be very worrying for their owners. We've written a blog you might find helpful with loads of great advice on how you can start helping your dog adjust after lockdown: pdsa.me/nKy7. I've been using many of these tips to help Kirk now that I'm starting to leave the house more, and he seems to be coping well, but I'll keep taking things slowly and make sure I'm monitoring him when he's on his own. It's always best to gradually make any changes to your routine, as dogs like things to be predictable. I hope our advice will be helpful to you and mean you can enjoy spending time with your dog without worrying about heading back to work.

Hello @MildredPuppy. It's great to hear your dog is friendly with other dogs, and your dog lying down means he's staying calm, but I understand it can be difficult if he's constantly stopping while you're out on walks. If this behaviour is starting to be a problem, try training him to focus on you when there's another dog near, by carrying a reward with you (a tasty treat or favourite toy). Then, when you see another dog, ask him to follow another command that makes him focus on you (for example, walking to heel or doing a trick). Hopefully it will keep him distracted and focused on walking with you when it's not time for him to play with the other dogs. It's also a good idea to teach a command word to use when he is allowed to play (for example, "play time"); that way, he'll know he can lie down or run over to another dog without causing any problems.

Hello @digginthedancingqueen. There are loads of great ways to keep your dog entertained while you're out of the house - but you'll need to make sure you think about which ones are safe for your dog. When your dog is unsupervised, it can be easier for them to hurt themselves or eat something they shouldn't as you cannot monitor them, so it's best to stick with things you know won't be a danger. You might want to try destruction boxes, interactive food toys (for example, Kong's) or safe chew toys. Just make sure they're the right size for your dog so they won't choke, and they don't have any small parts that your dog could swallow. My advice would be to try a few different toys or games while you're at home; see which your dog like best and make sure they're tough enough to survive your dog's playing. That way, you can leave them with something you know they'll love and have peace of mind they'll stay safe. You can also use a pet monitoring app to check they're happy while you're out, and think about asking a dog walker or pet sitter to visit if you'll be out for a longer time.

Hi @littlecottonbud. Going away without your dog can be hard, especially as we've all spent a lot of time with our pets the past year. The best way to feel confident that your dog will have a good time at their kennels is to get to know the team who will be caring for him. Most kennels will let you come to visit and be able to answer any question you might have before your dog comes to stay. You could also consider taking him over for a trial stay for a day or overnight to check they'll be happy. The most important thing is to find the kennels that are right for your dog. That way he can enjoy his holiday there while you enjoy your time away.

Hi @UpOnDown. Socialisation is vital to help your puppy grow up to be a well-adjusted adult, so we've put together a guide to socialisation to help: pdsa.me/oCYD. Remember to always keep new experiences positive and don't try too many new things at once. As things have changed during the lockdown, we've also got some help for socialising under the current restrictions. It's best to start now as the socialisation period for puppies only lasts a few weeks: pdsa.me/HIcu. Wishing you all the best with your new pup!

Hello @spacegirl123. This has been one of the most popular questions on our forum. Because we've been home so much more recently, it's not surprising that our dogs are now confused when we start leaving them again. It's important to start really slowly, so your dog gets used to time alone again, which may mean you don't leave the house at first. Just start by spending time in a different room from your dog. From personal experience, when I work from home, Kirk spends most mornings downstairs in his den while I slowly build him up to being left alone. Once your dog is happy and calm with this, you can build up to leaving for a short amount of time and using a pet monitoring app to check she stays happy and relaxed. This could be a couple of minutes at the start, and you may need to build things back up really slowly. You can read more about preventing separation problems in our blog: pdsa.me/nKy7

Hello @sheebasima. This is a common question I get asked as a vet- and unfortunately there isn't a simple answer. If your dog is afraid of other dogs, there are ways you can help them to become less worried or reactive- you can find out about ways to help on our website: www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/dogs-and-phobias. Having said that, if you have a dog that doesn't enjoy the company of other pooches, then it's unlikely they will learn to 'like' other dogs. Just the same as people, dogs have their own likes and dislikes. Some dogs feel happier with their own company or prefer human friends not canine ones. If that's the case, don't force your dog to interact or play with other dogs- let them have their own space and enjoy quality time together instead.

Hello @Jaymar. Many things will lead to changes in personality as your dog ages, and if she's 7 months old now, she may be coming into adolescence, which is the doggy equivalent of their teenage years. Adolescent dogs can develop new behaviours and become harder to train, so it's a good idea to know what to expect and how to help them. You can find out more on our website: pdsa.me/8NOk. It's also a good idea to know about signs your dog is in season, as this can also lead to changes in your dog's personality: pdsa.me/eRjg. This will also help you prepare so you can keep her safe while she's in heat. Finally, don't forget that neutering your dog can have many health benefits for your dog and prevent further seasons - find out more here: pdsa.me/HcNs.