Sometimes relationships don’t work and it’s best for everyone to split. The family pet, is just that, the family pet and is also affected by tension, sadness, and chaos that may exist in the house. She’s used to everyone and may still be extremely bonded to both adults. Both adults may also be tightly bonded to the dog. When ties are disrupted it can stress your dog and while there is no perfect solution to help your dog adjust, there are steps that can be taken to ease the transition.
Here are a few tips to help your dog adjust:
1: When leaving the house, don’t make a big deal. You can simply say goodbye and close the front door calmly. This will help your dog remember that separation is not something to be anxious about.
2: Keep your dog on a good schedule that is fairly consistent. Routines ease anxiety in pets and also helps your manage time better.
3: If you share custody of the dog, keep a schedule that works for both of you, and try to stick with it as best as possible. When meeting and departing, keep it calm to not have your dog anxious over one of you going the other way.
4: If your pet seems bored or needs more exercise and play than you’re able to do, consider enrolling her in doggie daycare. It will change the routine if she’s never done it before, but it may change it for the better. Your dog can spend the day playing, socializing, and be in good spirits. If the divorce was tense, this may also help ease tension. You could drop the dog off in the morning and your ex can pick her up in the evening. The “switch” can be made without seeing each other if that helps for a time.