Tag: bulldog

Is Covid 19 Lockdown Creating Separation Anxiety in our dogs?

Sabrina A.W.
Photo by Samson Katt on Pexels.com

I am a stay-at-home mom so my family is used to having me around all day. I do hope to get back to work one day soon and that has me concerned. The concern isn’t that my two boys will have to adjust to their mom not being home after school or that my husband will have to put in extra work…the concern is for my dogs. My two older dogs were around when I worked full-time but Daisy is a full on Covid puppy. She is 9 months old and hasn’t left my side from the day she stepped foot in our home. Should I be concerned and is there anything I can do to prepare her? Is there anything I can do to prepare myself?! The answer is yes, yes and I sure hope so!

When dogs experience separation anxiety they usually exhibit the following symptoms:

  • whining, crying, howling, barking
  • peeing/pooing on the floor after they have been housebroken
  • chewing, digging, scratching at items they shouldn’t
  • pacing
  • attempts to escape
  • drooling more than usual
  • depressed, anxious

Separation anxiety can be a real cause for concern and should be addressed before it becomes a really big problem. Teaching your dog that being apart is ok is important for his confidence and well being. The following are some tips that I have used with Daisy and my other girls, to help build their independence:

  • treats, treats and more treats – I am actually quite grateful that Bulldogs are so food motivated. I can use any food really with my Bulldogs as a treat and they are happy. I find my French Bulldog pickier and harder to motivate with treats. I start the training by going for a little walk without the dogs. As I am getting ready, I can see that they have picked up that I am going out and they are acting a little anxious by pacing around and getting excited. Before I leave I give them a little treat and a smooch (yes, I am that doggy mom). If I close the door and they start barking like crazy, I open the door and correct the behavior. I close the door once they are quiet. I might only leave for a few minutes. Once I come into the house, I praise them like crazy and give them a little treat. I repeat this process, increasing the length of time that I am out of the house. I also want to mention that if your dog is being destructive, such as chewing walls etc. I suggest that you crate them or block them in an area where they can’t hurt themselves or destroy anything.

  • calming items – there are items created for pets that utilize essential oils, CBD or pheromones to help bring a sense of calm to your pet. These Quiet Moments Calming Chews can help chill your pooch when they need it with the help of Chamomile and Melatonin https://amzn.to/38EYQ7w
  • mental and physical stimulation – we know the importance of exercise and play for our dogs. Exercising them before you go out will help burn some of their excess energy and help with anxiety. Also, consider an activity toy that releases treats when you go out. Give it to them only during these times and it will keep them busy and entertained. Try one of these stimulation toys on Amazon to keep them busy! https://amzn.to/35z6n5R

  • get them a buddy! – this isn’t for everyone but I had to add it in. We can’t imagine having only one dog. Our girls are best buds and keep each other busy all day…but that’s another post 🙂

One of these days Covid 19 will be a thing of the past and the Covid puppies will be the ones to feel it. Hopefully these tips will help that transition back to normalcy…whenever that will be! Now who is going to help me with my separation anxiety from my pups!?

What I Look for in a Puppy Applicant

Sabrina A.W.
I love this little family!

There is a lot of information out there regarding how to find a reputable breeder but I think it is just as important, if not more, for the breeder to select the right buyer. They have the responsibility to make sure that the puppy goes to the right home and that it is a good fit for both the puppy and the buyer. I wanted to share with you some of the questions I ask on my puppy application and what I am looking for in a prospective puppy home.

Biggie and Rocky right before going to their forever homes

I always say that it takes a special person to take care of a bulldog. They have special needs that have to be taken care of daily. Not everyone is up for that. It wouldn’t take much neglect to really see its effects on the dog. Therefore, I really want to know that a person knows what they are getting into. I know that bulldogs are cute, funny and super-trendy right now but is that the only reason you want one? I want to know the “why”. How long have you wanted a bulldog? How long have you thought of this and how much research have you really done? Are you wanting a puppy because of Covid-19 and you are currently working from home? What happens when you return to work? Will the dog suddenly be left on its own for lengthy stretches at a time? Through these questions and a little intuition, I try and decipher if the potential buyer will make a good bulldog owner.

As I already mentioned, grooming and daily care is a big responsibility for an English or French bulldog owner. Bulldogs require more care and are one of the more expensive breeds to own. They require high quality, grain-free diets. They need wrinkle creams, butt wipes, cooling matts, and coats just to name a few things. They also tend to suffer more from skin issues and allergies. People need to know what they are getting into beforehand. The last thing any breeder wants is to see the puppy being rehomed due to a bad pairing.

I was talking to my 9 year old son the other day about this very topic. He asked me why I had people fill out applications. I explained that the first reason is that it filters out people just by asking them to apply. People that are serious about adopting a puppy will not hesitate to fill one out. Secondly, we want to make sure that our puppies are going to good homes and are going to live their best lives possible. Asking the right questions helps us make a good match. There are people that are open to sharing their personal stories with me. I find these are the people that make the best homes for bulldogs.

These are just a few questions that I like to ask. I hope that by asking the right questions and trusting my intuition, that I make the right choices. These puppies are my babies and my responsibility. An active, loving family that truly appreciates the puppy is all I want for my babies. There is nothing better than receiving a picture of a past puppy with their forever family and knowing that I helped make that family complete.