26/09/2024
๐๐จ๐ ๐ฌ, ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ซ
Letโs be realโdivorce is tough! But have you ever thought about how it affects your dogs? Itโs easy to assume theyโll just adapt, but the truth is they can feel the emotional shifts just like we do. Anxiety, depression, even behavioral changesโฆ all very real possibilities. ๐
When I went through my separation, I was ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ง๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฌ of how my pups would handle it.
In my journey, I was fortunate in one major way: Pet custody wasnโt up for debate and thankfully, my ex knew theyโd be better off with me full-time! However, the big question wasโhow could I make this transition smooth for them? I knew I had to get it right for their sake.
๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฆ:
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๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ก๐ข๐ฆ: I distanced us all from my ex while still living together to slowly wean them off him. Living on different floors helped immensely.
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๐๐ซ๐-๐ฆ๐จ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ: I brought them to our new home several times before the big move-in day. This way, they had time to explore and get familiar without the stress of a sudden move. ๐ก
โ
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐, ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐, ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐: I kept them on the same schedule they were used to. Meal times, walks, and even playtime were non-negotiable. Consistency = security.
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๐๐ง๐ซ๐ข๐๐ก๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐จ๐๐: I upped their mental stimulation with hidden treats around the new home (inside and out) and incorporated games. Pro tip: Hide treats in different spots around the house to keep them engaged and entertained! ๐ฆด
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๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐ก๐จ๐ฆ๐: I made sure to carry their comforts of home from the previous house to our new home. Things like making sure they had a backyard, all their bedding, their stools to get onto furniture, and prioritized a window perch for their viewing pleasure.
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๐๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ: I had tons of friends, family and pet friends visit in those first weeks to get them used to different people and minimize any feelings of loss.
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๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ฒ: Yes, you read that right. Doggie massages! Itโs a simple way to reduce stress and keep them relaxed, and itโs great for bonding as well. ๐พ๐โโ๏ธ
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๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐: I stayed home with them for about four days straight after the move, then slowly increased the time I was away. This way, they didnโt feel abandoned or anxious when I left.
๐ค And guess what? Itโs been 6 weeks now, and I can say with confidenceโtheyโve adapted better than I imagined. In fact, they seem happier, probably because thereโs less domestic discord around them. Theyโre more eager to please and content in their new routine.
๐๐จ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐โ๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐: If youโre in a relationship and getting or already have a dog, always be mindful that life can change. Breakups happen every day, even when we donโt expect them to. When that time comes, prioritize your dogโs well-being. Think about where theyโll thriveโwho are they most bonded to, who has the time and commitment for them? Dogs deserve a space where theyโll be happy and cared for, regardless of what happens between us humans.
And remember, dogs live in the now, and they can thrive through changes if we do our best to keep their needs at the forefront. ๐
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ก๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐! ๐
โHave you ever gone through a big life change with your dog? How did you help them adjust?
โ What tips would you give other dog parents who might be going through something similar?
Drop your thoughts in the comments and letโs chat about it. ๐โค๏ธ
