Apart from children, pets are the other collateral victims of divorce. Dogs, for example, have a hard time handling the separation of their owners. They can show their distress through unusual behavior. Here are some tips on how to help your loyal friend cope with your divorce.
How do dogs react to the divorce of their owners?
Dogs are particularly sensitive creatures. They can sense the emotions around them, whether it be joy, frustration, sadness, or happiness. Just like the children from a divorce, they are also deeply affected when their owners are about to separate.
They feel the anger of their owners, the tension within the household, and all of the negative emotions of the children. Like a sponge, they absorb every emotion and react consequently. During the divorce procedure, your dog can express their feelings in different ways.
Separation anxiety
Dogs have an attachment that is sometimes excessive with their owners. When they sense that they will have to part with one of their owners, they can become very anxious. This anxiety usually manifests itself in a radical change in behavior.
Your dog can suddenly start to bark excessively without a reason, or start relieving themselves indoors. They can take on bad habits like chewing on furniture, and cause damage to the materials within the home. It’s their way of expressing their anger, and all of the emotions of your separation that they are living through.
Aggressiveness
Faced with the pain caused by the divorce of their owners, a dog can react by acting defensive. They may distance themselves and withdraw from members of the household. At the same time, other dogs may become more aggressive. They can spend most of their time growling and may even bite.
When faced with such behavior, you must react immediately, without resorting to punishment, of course. This type of solution would only exacerbate the problem and increase the animal’s suffering. Aggressive behavior in dogs is often temporary. However, it can sometimes last for several months. It is up to you to find the necessary solutions to calm your dog down.
Depression
Moving house can be difficult for dogs. This change is often a source of depression for them. The odors are not the same and the rooms change. So, being private from some members of the family is an extra pain, which can make them depressed.
Your dog can suddenly have a loss of appetite, and refuse to eat for several days. They can start to pull out their fur, and develop unusual lethargy. Activities that they used to enjoy would not do the same or bring them the same happiness. In addition to sleeping frequently, they could be more inclined to excessive licking.
Tips for better preparing your dog for a divorce
To allow your dog to live better through the period of divorce, you should take a few precautions.
Soothe your dog during the divorce period
Despite the frustration that your pet’s behavior may cause, you should remain patient and calm. Do not forget that they feel your anger. The more annoyed you get, and the more anxious they will be. It’s better to soothe and calm them and to show them your love. Take them in your arms, and give them a lot of hugs and affection. Dogs are sensitive to affection. It will do them well during this tense period.
Play with your dog regularly so that they are able to get rid of their frustration and anxiety. If you have kids that are old enough to understand the situation, do not hesitate to get them involved in playing with your dog.
Spend more time with your dog
Even if your dog starts to isolate themselves, this is when you need to be the most available for them. For their well-being, you need to try to find a way to regularly be in their company. For example, you can come home at lunch to be able to be there with them before returning to work.
During the period of divorce, avoid leaving your loyal friend alone for too long. If your occupations do not allow you to be available for them, let them stay at a boarding center. You can also agree to entrust custody to your future ex-spouse if they are available to care for the child.
Consult a vet
Some episodes of stress or depression in dogs are temporary. With plenty of love and attention, they pass, and the pet returns to their usual behavior. In other cases, the effects of separation from its owners are more profound, and the dog may suffer for many months.
Specific treatment may sometimes be necessary to provide relief. In this case, you should seek the help of a vet. This animal care professional will be able to analyze your furry friend’s symptoms and prescribe the appropriate treatment. If you have no other options for soothing your dog, don’t hesitate to contact the vet who has always treated them so that they can help you.
Maintain your dog’s daily routine
Dogs are creatures of habit and are very attached to their daily routine. They know when they need to eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom. After changing their environment and separating them from certain family members, the worst thing you can do is disrupt their routine. If you have been granted custody following a divorce, do everything you can to maintain the routine they were used to before.
For example, stick to the same meal times. Even if your ex-partner used to walk the dog every evening, take on this new responsibility. If your children used to play with the dog in the park every weekend, try to maintain this habit. As for the new environment, try to make it as similar as possible to your dog’s old living environment. This doesn’t mean living in a replica of your old home, but rather spreading smells that the animal is used to, for example.
Seek the assistance of a dog behaviorist
If, despite your best efforts, you are unable to understand your dog’s behavior, consult a dog behaviorist. This specialist will analyze the problem situation with your pet, while observing its behavior towards you. After identifying the causes of their behavior, they will propose a customized retraining program. This solution aims to help your dog regain their former attitudes, while resolving any issues caused by your divorce. The methods used by dog behaviorists are generally simple and safe for the animal’s well-being. In just a few sessions, you can get your best friend back the way you love them.
To better understand your dog’s reactions and provide them with appropriate support, you can also visit the Letsgetpet website. On our platform, you will find information that can help you care for your pets in the event of a divorce. For your dog’s well-being, the choice of which partner will obtain custody must be made objectively. We recommend that you take into account the attachment your dog has to one or the other.