Yahoo Lifestyle Senior Dog Rescue Mom Explains How Life-Sized Dummy Helps Ease Separation Anxiety
It can be incredibly heartbreaking for pet parents to watch their dogs suffer from separation anxiety. If you’ve ever had this experience, you likely tried anything to calm their nerves and reassure them that all would be okay. But sometimes, our words aren’t enough to soothe their fears.
This is especially true when a rescue dog connects to a particular person, and that special someone spends time away. That’s why this mom devised an unconventional solution to help her Pug feel at ease when dad traveled, and it worked like a charm!
Check out this video from September 7 to see how a mannequin became a dog’s best friend.
This idea is brilliant, so it’s no surprise it went viral when Kristen (@vintage_pet_rescue) first shared it a few years back. Although the story was covered in People magazine and the New York Post, I somehow missed it, so I’m delighted she’s explaining the dummy’s purpose again. She reveals that a senior Pug named Shorty was inconsolable when his dad, Marc, had to travel for work. So, her mom, Joanne, suggested getting a life-size replica to see if that might help. They aptly named this mannequin Farc, as in Fake-Marc. Not only was he dressed in Marc’s clothes, but they went the extra mile by adding tattoo sleeves to make it as realistic as possible. How adorable! The effort was worthwhile, as this dummy was exactly what Shorty needed in his dad’s absence. Even the other dogs fell in love with him. Although Shorty may have crossed the rainbow bridge, Farc is still around, providing comfort and love for other senior rescue dogs with separation anxiety today.
Related: Vet Explains Signs of Separation Anxiety and Ways to Combat It
Ways to Help Dogs Overcome Separation Anxiety
Slowly increase your dog’s time alone by starting with brief intervals and gradually extending them. This can help teach your dog that there’s no need for panic and that you’ll be coming home.
Stay calm when coming and going. Although many of us get overexcited, this can contribute to their anxiety. Instead, keeping our greetings and farewells low-key reduces the emotional intensity, helping them feel more relaxed.
Tired dogs tend to be less anxious, so it's ideal to give them plenty of exercise and mental stimulation before you head out.
When you go out, give them something special, like a high-value treat, an enrichment toy, or a puzzle game, to help create a positive association and keep them busy.
Dog parents everywhere can attest that there isn’t much we wouldn’t do to ensure the well-being of our fur children. So, if a dummy is what it takes for them to feel secure, it’s a small price to pay for happiness.
