As the Government encourages employees back to the workplace, a leading dog trainer and Beco Ambassador has issued a warning to the UK’s 10 million dog owners.
Changes in work routine are proving stressful for many people, especially pet owners who won’t be able to take their dogs into work. And their dogs, who have become accustomed to close and constant companionship for months, are now at risk of developing Separation Anxiety as lockdown eases.
Around one third of the UK’s canine population, up to three million dogs, are at risk, says Beco Ambassador Bryony Cole, one of Britain’s top dog trainers.
Bryony, Founder and Head Trainer at her Somerset dog training company Eye2EyeDogs (www.eye2eyedogs.com), owns three dogs herself and has trained thousands of others, often helping dogs to cope with anxiety and stress. She has also trained many dogs for roles in UK films and TV programmes.
Bryony Cole said: “As many people return to their normal place of work, their dogs will undoubtedly be feeling stressed. Most puppies, for example, may have known no other life other than having their owner at home with them full-time.
“There are 10 million dogs in Britain and about a third of them are now at risk of developing Separation Anxiety. Not every dog owner has a job that will take them away from the home, say to an office, but up to 3 million dogs will now be at risk.
“Therefore, it’s very important that we keep a close look-out for any early signs that a dog is feeling distress and take appropriate action to help them without delay.”
Bryony has built a very close bond with her own dog, a two-and-a-half year-old German Shepherd named Juno. Bryony has also worked extensively coaching dogs for TV commercials.