Pro tip: Consult your vet about supplements or special diets if your dog has allergies or health issues. And always have fresh water available—hydration is non-negotiable. And the receptacle is important, so use only stainless steel water bowls and wash and rinse often.

Dogs rely heavily on reading facial expressions and body language to understand their environment. When the pandemic forced people to stay 6 feet apart and wear masks, puppies missed out on crucial social cues. Mature dogs adapted better because they had already learned to read human faces and emotions. Puppies born in late 2020 and beyond faced a confusing world where their human companions seemed scared and distant.

Separation anxiety in dogs can feel like a big mountain to climb, but with love, patience, and the right strategies, you and your furry friend can reach the summit together. Remember, every dog is unique, so keep trying different approaches until you find what works best for your dog.

For example, Doggy Doolil Daycare in Surrey focuses on creating a calm, well-socialized pack. They don’t just watch dogs; they guide them to build good habits and confidence. This kind of expert supervision makes a big difference in how your dog behaves at home and around others.

After establishing the daycare, I became certified in Dog Obedience and began offering obedience classes and private in-home session in 2011. Over the years, I also read a lot of books on dog behaviour and then I obtained certifications in Pet First Aid and Animal Behaviour in 2018, enabling me to expertly care for and analyze dog behaviour in a pack setting of up to 25 regular dogs daily, within an open-concept facility free from kennels or crates.

It's where my tagline 'This is where CARING, SEEKING and PLAY makes FEAR, GRIEF and RAGE go away' came from. I monitor and control the energy here, making sure no prey/predator behaviour escalates to an uncontrolled level where dogs turn into animals and are hard to distract or control. I have seen this happen at dog parks, and it usually comes from distracted dog owners not recognizing that their dog is going too far and needs to be checked.

We are currently encountering a major issue in the dog behavior training field, which I have termed 'Dog Covid Syndrome' (DCS). But what does this term signify to me? Is your dog experiencing fear? Is your dog scared of people and other animals? What does DCS entail? Allow me to elaborate.