Back To The Office? Tips To Ease Your Dog's Transition

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — More and more Massachusetts workers are heading back to the office after two years of remote for work. That's bad news for dogs who have gotten used to having their people around, and even worse news for the "pandemic puppies" that never learned the pre-2020 weekday routine.

"During the pandemic, people thought it would be a great time to get a dog...The shelters and rescues emptied because it seemed everyone wanted a dog," said Sheri Helman of Ruff n Tumble Playcare, a dog daycare center located at 1755 Osgood Street in North Andover. "Now, as people are preparing to go back into the offices, they are trying to figure out what to do with their dog...For a lot of people, this means your dogs are going to have to learn to spend some time alone."

Dogs "like patterns and thrive on consistency," so Helman recommends trying to establish the new workday routine well in advance of your scheduled return-to-office date. That may mean going to a dog daycare like Ruff n Tumble a few days a week or scheduling more time out of the house.

"Start small, maybe an hour or two a few times a week," Helman said. "Try to ease them into a routine...Try leaving them home alone instead of taking them with you. Small steps will make it a much easier transition, for when you have to return to your workplace."

Helman said the transition will be harder for some dogs than others. Patience is crucial. In some cases, you may need to call in a trainer if your dog is having a tough time adjusting.

"Unfortunately, there may be a few dogs that can’t make a successful transition back into a normal routine, so you should seek the help of your veterinarian or a behaviorist," Helman said.