Home(r) Alone

[JES72]

I'm having internal flutters of panic.

On 3rd September school starts again and I'm back to work, which means that Homer's back to the old routine of him waiting for his dog sitter to come and pick him up in the mornings.

Homer's spent 8 months of this year either with Hubby or me being around although he's been left alone from time to time for a few hours without any problem there's been no specific routine.

There were times before when Homer wasn't that happy about the morning routine of us both leaving the house together. Hubby was then able to leave a little later as his job was winding down but with his new job he has to be out the house early, so do I.

I'm away next week but we have my cousin's daughter staying with us so there'll be someone around sometimes in the morning before he gets picked up for the day. I hope this is enough to ease him back into his old routine without him getting more anxious.

 

[Jacqui-S]

I really believe dogs adapt to their situations and after a few days Homer will be snoozing the day away without a care.
Ok so you will still be at work worrying, but such is our lot as a working dog parent.

 

[kateincornwall]

As Jacqui says , he will be fine, honestly . When we lived in France , an English lady was appealing for someone to rehome her Labrador because they were leaving France where they had a huge garden , to return to the UK , to a small house with an equally small garden , she was simply afraid that her dog would be miserable . We persuaded her not to rehome , and, lo and behold he adapted like a duck to water ! Labs are , I reckon , one of the most adaptable breeds , its us who worry !

 

[Selina27]

@JES72 I quite agree with Jacqui and Kate I think they are very adaptable to these things. I do believe that if we don't worry they don't worry!
It will probably help him adjust though to have someone else around for the first few days.

 

[Oberon]

Before you start the work routine for real I’d introduce a ‘pretend’ routine. Start doing some of the things you’d do to get ready for work....get clothes out, get shoes out, brush teeth etc etc.....then don’t leave. Try to gradually get him used to the lead up to leaving. If he’s ho hum about that then up the ante a bit. Get dressed. Next day get in the car. A couple of days later get in and then back it out of the driveway. Just take it a bit further, gradually. That’ll help him ease back into it and it’ll help you see what his coping skills are like. It might put your mind at ease too.

 

[JES72]

I was thinking I need to start doing this. Like back to puppy days but that will be good for him. The first week I can leave later so ease him into waiting for his dog sitter.