How To Prepare Your Dog For Your Relationship Breakup

Going through a breakup is never easy. This is especially true if you share a dog with your soon-to-be ex-partner. Even if you decide that you will have joint custody of your furry friend, it still will likely be an upsetting and confusing time for them. They may be wondering why they can only see one of their pup parents only some of the time. 

Fortunately, you can take a few steps that can help prepare your dog for your relationship break up. 

Keep Arguments Calm 

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Ending a relationship is an incredibly painful process, and sometimes our emotions can get the best of us. However, loud arguments can be upsetting to your dog. If you feel the need to argue, do so in a calm, collected manner. You never want to make your dog feel nervous around you. 

Determine Where Your Dog Will Be Living 

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Before you split up, you need to figure out your furry friend’s living situation. For instance, you may want your dog to stay with you every other week. Or perhaps, your ex only wants the dog on the weekends. 

"You can customize a custody arrangement that serves your schedule and situation — everything from a weekday/weekend tradeoff, to swapping every week or two, to being the pet sitter when the primary care pet parent travels," shared executive director of Michelson Found Animal Foundation, Aimee Gilbreath, during a 2018 interview with Bustle.

You will also need to determine if it is actually a good idea for your dog to have two separate homes. Now, some dogs will do fine with the situation. However, it may cause some pups to suffer from separation anxiety. If you have noticed that your dog has been exhibiting signs of severe separation anxiety because of your breakup, you may need to have a difficult discussion with your partner. Essentially, the dog may need to permanently live with you or your ex, depending on the circumstances.

Buy Two Of Each Of Their Favorite Items 

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If you have decided that it is in your dog’s best interest to live with you and your ex, consider buying doubles of their favorite items. For instance, if they are obsessed with a toy that looks like a cow, do your best to find the same one or at least something that looks pretty darn similar. 

You should also make sure that you and your ex-partner buy some of the same dog food and treats, to not upset their digestion.

Shower Your Dog with Affection 

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If you notice it seems like your pup is missing your partner, give them plenty of affection and attention. This means you should play a game of fetch and take plenty of walks. Personally, my dog is a big fan of “rug time, fun time.” For those unaware, that’s when you sit on a rug and basically allow your dog to jump on you and lick your face. 

Refrain From Disturbing Their Routine

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Disturbing your dog’s routine can make them feel stressed out. So if your ex-partner always gives them walks at 7 am, you’ll also need to wake up early to take them out when they are in your custody. On a similar note, you need to make sure that you and your ex are keeping rules consistent. Otherwise, your dog will just end up being confused. During her interview with Bustle, Gilbreath noted that “regardless of which schedule you choose it is important to work together to minimize the stress your pet feels and create a routine that works for your animal.” 

"This means both parents need to maintain the same boundaries and rules — for instance, if you don’t allow your dog on the couch, this needs to happen at both homes,” said the executive director.