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If you're a little concerned about how your pets are going to react when you finally head back to work at the office or job site next year, you're not alone.

If you've had to work from home at all during the ongoing pandemic here in 2020, one of the benefits might have been that you got to spend more time with your pets. Of course, if you have pets like ours, that means feline friends walking all over your computer keyboard or monitor or canine companions showing up in your Zoom or Microsoft teams conference calls.

But now, as the work-from-home phenomenon drags on, some Minnesotans are worried about how their pets are going to react when they finally DO have to leave the house to go to work when things finally get back to some sense of normal next year. In fact, according to THIS pet survey from Vet Naturals, Minnesota is ranked 4th on the list of states where we're worried about how our pets are going to react when we head back to work. Perhaps it's our innate 'niceness' here in Minnesota, but only pet owners in Maryland, New York, and Iowa are more worried about pet separation anxiety than we are here in the Bold North.

And, nearly half of pet owners in Minnesota are worried, the survey says, noting that 40 percent of us are more than a little concerned that our pets will react negatively when they're left alone again. The survey says the most common separation anxiety symptoms we're worried about here in Minnesota are barking/howling (40%), chewing household objects (29%), and pacing/restlessness (25%).

But, never fear. The survey also has some suggestions on how to help your pet AVOID separation anxiety once we head back out of the house to go to work. (You can read MORE about other symptoms your pet might be exhibiting and how to help them in the Vet Naturals survey HERE.)

  • Try to keep up a routine, not a schedule. The flexibility of routine helps provide structure, the knowledge all their needs will be met, and more.
  • If you are anxious about how your dog will behave when you’re not at home, consider remote-access tools like Furbo or a treat-dispensing toy.
  • Contact a dog trainer near you because there are certain separation anxiety-induced behaviors like escapism that could get your dog hurt. Some dogs will try and escape to find their owners - a trainer can help!
  • Consider trying a CBD treat or supplement to help calm your dog.
  • Remember that your energy matters. Your dog looks to you for cues on how to act, so teach them coping skills to manage their anxiety!

And, speaking of dogs, is there anything cuter than puppies? And if you adopted your dog well after they'd grown up (like our dog), keep scrolling to check out what 50 of the most popular dog breeds looked like when they were puppies!

Listen to Curt St. John from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5
and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on 103.9 The Doc

KEEP LOOKING: See What 50 of America's Most 'Pupular' Dog Breeds Look Like as Puppies

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