Could video chatting with my dog help with separation anxiety if I need to be away from home for a while?

_haha_oh_wow_, 10 months ago

Probably depends on your dog.

My dog is just confused by screens, but my girlfriend's dog seems to kind of "get it" when it comes to screens.

oldGregg, 10 months ago

You have to first prerecord a video of you talking to your dog, then do the blanket trick where you stand in a doorway and lift a blanket blocking line of sight betweennyoy and the dog. Play the video you made earlier and put it by your feet, then stand outside of the door frame, drop the blanket, and run outside/jump out a window.

The dog will think you’re either really good or totally shite at magic(depending on their opinion of you) and that you trapped yourself in a phone. Now when you call them they will think its the real you.

When you get back do the trick in reverse!

Crackhappy, 10 months ago

Lol. Jump out a window.

_haha_oh_wow_, 10 months ago

We must defenestrate to convince pupper.

_spiffy, 10 months ago

We tried that with our dog once and it very seriously stressed him out. Try it before you don’t while too far away!

the_itsb, 10 months ago

Have you tried doing a video call with the dog to see how she reacts?

My husband had to be away from home for a month a couple years ago, and our dogs (and I!!) missed him terribly. When we would video chat, one of the dogs loved it, he recognized my husband on the screen and was so happy to hear and see him! The other dog did not understand what was happening and was kinda bummed to hear him but not see or smell him.

If your dog watches TV and does other things to indicate she sees what’s on the screen, knows it’s not in the room, and isn’t bothered by that, I think it’s worth a try!

HiddenLayer5, 10 months ago

I should try that definitely. Thanks!

Spacebar, 10 months ago

Make sure you send her to her dog sitters with items that smell like you. T shirts are good. Also, her own bed from home if she has one.

HiddenLayer5, 10 months ago

We’re definitely doing that! We’re also dropping off some of our clothes, her bed, toys, as well as her favourite rug.

Spacebar, 10 months ago

She will be fine then. Dogs adjust quickly.

resurrexia, 10 months ago

I can imagine it confusing your dog more. Why can I hear and see the human but not smell or touch them???

HiddenLayer5, 10 months ago

That’s a good point. Didn’t think of that, thanks!

resurrexia, 10 months ago

I will say it depends though. My dog is cool when my cousins video call over - he pays attention and looks at the screen. Or if I’m overseas but coaling home. But he has never had separation anxiety.

I believe one of the tried and true methods is to give your dog a piece of your worn clothing to cuddle with. Or crate train.

niktemadur, 10 months ago

To take care of the scent aspect, you should always leave several used and unwashed laundry items around the place, anything that has made direct contact with your skin for hours.

Bedsheets sounds like a good idea, too; sleep in them for a few days and then leave them where your dog (or cat) spends most time.

Here’s an idea for added concentration: mash both concepts together, put some used t-shirts under the bedsheets for a few days and nights, sleep with them under the covers, before placing them lying around the place.

givesomefucks, 10 months ago

Meh, dogs are different.

Mine loves phone calls because it’s usually a voice he recognizes on the other end. He wants to climb on me and get right next to the phone so he hears.

But a Teams call for work he doesn’t give a shit about because he doesn’t recognize the voice on the other end.

OP should just try it and see how it goes.