#1 mistake owners make when the holidays end
How to Prevent Separation Anxiety
Long, lazy days together… then suddenly, back to work and school. That handbrake turn is exactly why so many dogs struggle when summer ends. The #1 mistake owners make? Going from near 24/7 company to full days alone with no transition plan.
Why Post-Holiday “Clinginess” Happens
During holidays your dog gets constant social contact, extra walks and spontaneous play. Their brain learns: “You’re always here.” When that changes overnight, the gap between expectation and reality drives distress behaviours.
- Predictability drops: wake, walk, feed and leave times shift.
- Alone-time tolerance is unpractised: they’ve had little reason to self-settle.
- Doorway triggers reappear: keys, shoes, coat = “you’re leaving me”.
Separation Anxiety vs. “I’m Bored”: Spot the Difference
- Likely anxiety: pacing at doors/windows, howling/whining, drooling, shaking, house-soiling near exits, attempts to escape, refusal to eat when alone.
- Likely boredom: shredding the post, rummaging bins, chewing accessible items after a long under-stimulating day.
The 7-Day “Back-to-Routine” Reset
Use this as a template. Adjust speeds to your dog’s comfort.
- Days 1–2: Rebuild the routine. Wake, feed, walk and rest at the times you’ll keep once work resumes. Keep departures “boringly normal”.
- Days 1–3: Micro-absences. Scatter a portion of breakfast in a forage feeder/snuffle mat, say a calm “back soon”, step out for 1–3 minutes, return before they worry. Repeat 3–5 times/day.
- Days 2–4: Departure cue rehab. Pick up keys/coat, sit down again; repeat until those cues stop spiking arousal. Then pair the cues with a chew or lick-mat and a short absence.
- Days 3–5: Stretch the clock. 5 → 10 → 15 minutes while a calming activity is available (forage feeder, lick-mat, long-lasting chew). Vary intervals; avoid a predictable “build-up”.
- Days 5–7: Bridge to real life. Two longer practices (20–40 min). Use a pet cam to confirm they settle after the first few minutes.
Make Alone-Time Easier: Environment & Enrichment
- Pre-departure decompression: 10–15 minutes of sniffing/foraging tires the brain more than a brisk walk.
- Forage feeding instead of bowls: snuffle mats/forage feeders convert meals into calm problem-solving.
- Safe space: a consistent room/pen with bed, water, chew, and a worn T-shirt with your scent.
- Sound & light: blinds half-closed; low-volume radio/white noise to mask outdoor triggers.
- Bridging support: dog walker, trusted friend, or reputable day-care 1–2 days/week while tolerance builds.
What Not to Do (Common Pitfalls)
- No long goodbyes: keep exits and returns low-key; emotion at the door raises arousal.
- No punishment: chewed shoes or puddles are stress outputs, not “naughtiness”. Punishment worsens anxiety.
- Don’t “flood” them: leaving a panicked dog for hours rarely “toughens them up”; it sensitises the fear.
- Avoid big routine swings: erratic schedules keep them on edge. Aim for consistency.
A Simple Daily Template
- Morning: short sniff-walk → forage breakfast → 5–10 min micro-absence.
- Midday: calm chew/lick-mat break → brief practice absence.
- Evening: decompression walk → gentle play → early settle routine (lights down, radio on).
When You Need Extra Help
If panic begins the second you pick up your keys, they refuse food when alone, or you see self-injury/escape attempts, speak to your vet and a qualified behaviourist. Medical checks (pain, gut upset, thyroid, urinary issues) are essential alongside behaviour treatment.
A smooth return to normality isn’t luck, it’s a plan. Avoid the #1 post-holiday mistake by rehearsing alone-time, feeding the brain (not just the belly), and keeping routines predictable. Your dog will thank you for it.
P.S. NutriPaw’s Forage Feeder and Snuffle Mat help turn meals into calm, brain-boosting enrichment — a powerful ally for post-holiday transitions.
