How to look after your dogs and let them look after you in the coronavirus lockdown

An aspect of the UK's coronavirus lockdown that may have initially not come to mind is what will happen with the nation's dogs.

Britain is one of the most dog-friendly countries in the world. Despite having a relatively low population, it is in the top ten countries for dog ownership according to Petsecure, a pet insurance business.

There are around 10 million dogs in the UK, a 2020 survey by the People's Dispensation for Sick Animals found, belonging to about 26 per cent of the population.

So how can we keep them happy under indefinite quarantine?

It is firstly important to remember that a dog can be a great comfort in times of stress, Nick Jones, an animal behaviourist from pet insurer Petplan, said.

He told the Standard: "Dogs are incredibly loving and caring animals, which is why they make such great life-long companions.

"Although your dog may sense your emotional state, they can cope with more emotional or stressful situations and are still able to bring comfort and calmness to their owners in moments of distress."

Just watching dogs have fun can be a "vicarious pleasure", according to Dr Carri Westgarth, a senior lecturer in human-animal interaction at the University of Liverpool.

She went on: "It makes us happier. Daily allowed exercise and indoor playtime isn't just for our dogs' mental and physical health, it's for our wellbeing too."

But Mr Jones said that dogs benefit from balance and routine - so they should not be leaned on to the extent that boundaries for their behaviour disappear.

Mr Jones added: "If you don’t allow your dog to sleep in your bed usually, now is not the time to introduce this.

"With clear boundaries in place, you can both enjoy the new time spent together whilst keeping your dog’s routine healthy."

Author and animal behaviourist Caroline Wilkinson agreed.

She said: "Don't overlook the value of a routine. Routines can offer a sense of security, particularly to anxious dogs.

"Aim to include any cornerstones of your usual routines that you can - being predictable when it comes to mealtimes, exercise and bedtimes."

A key boundary is work. Much of the day for many of us is taken up by video calls. Being interrupted by your dog may be endearing at first, but it's important to know how to keep your dogs entertained during a call.

"As most dogs are food motivated, try playing around with their food by hiding treats around the house, or tucking them inside suitable toys," Mr Jones said.

He added that dogs can be trained, over time, not to bark too loudly at the wrong times by rewarding good responses with a treat.

Mr Jones continued: "Make the most of your more flexible home working arrangements by teaching them new tricks in the garden or safely indoors to use up some energy.

"Keeping pets healthy and mentally stimulated ahead of crucial work hours will help to reduce the risk of being interrupted at the wrong moment."

Dr Westgarth added that it is fine to ignore your dog for a while if it is bothering you at work.

She said: "Any response, even negative or pushing them away, is a reward as you have given them your attention, even if you just look at them."

Living in a contained environment with dogs and small children home from school is another challenge. Keeping dogs' stress levels low is vital to making sure your children are safe at home, Mr Jones said.

He added: "In the worst-case scenarios, dogs could become aggressive and start biting. During holiday periods, there is usually an increase in dog bite incidents with children as they are at home more, so this is one for parents to watch out for."

Mr Jones' advice is to create a safe space just for your dog, so it has an area away from the children to relax.