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* Limits, waiting periods, exclusions and excesses may apply.
Dr Harry: COVID-19 and our dogs
I don’t really think that any of us know quite what our lives will be like when things return to ‘normal’. For the great majority of us life has been very different, and with all of this has come heightened levels of stress. We don’t like the stress! Many people have gone out and either adopted a pet or spent a good deal more time with the ones they have.
Of all the pets we have our dogs have always been the ones closest to us, and the ones that seem to understand our moods more than most.
How will our canine companions fare once we start changing our routines?
Being at home you have spent a lot more time with your ‘friend’. So the bond between you and that dog of yours has dramatically strengthened. Changing the bond will be difficult for many dogs. They feel that ‘love’ and ‘need’ as much as we do and when it suddenly changes, they are likely to become anxious. It’s a case of slowly, slowly as we go back to work, and for our dogs it has to be much the same.
They need things to entertain them when you are not there. Leave the TV on, or at least some music. Make sure they have their favorite toys, in particular those that offer food rewards. The simple act of chewing lifts endorphin levels and helps dogs cope. Try a food ‘treasure hunt’. Start introducing this sort of thing well before you change your own routine.
Above all else, look to your own body language. Try to be upbeat, but not over the top. So many people feel guilty about leaving their dog behind for any reason at all. When they leave or worse still when they come home, they make a big fuss about seeing their pet once again. This will make things worse. Your dog will literally take advantage of this and almost demand more interaction. Try to be a little bit tough. I call it Tough Love.
Don’t make a big fuss as you leave and particularly when you come home. When you get back your dog will be really excited to see you. Don’t over react, rather say a simple ‘Hello’, wait a good ten minutes till your dog settles down and then, YOU can call your friend over and then you can make a fuss. Sounds hard to do, it is, but in time it works.
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# Policy Terms and Conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Benefit limit amounts vary by level of cover.
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= The gap is defined as the difference between the vet's invoice and the claim benefit under your policy. Policy terms and conditions apply. GapOnly® is only available at participating Vets. Please visit GapOnly® to search for GapOnly® enabled vets. GapOnly® is a trademark owned by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd (PetSure) (ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183).
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‡ Cover is available for the life of your pet provided you renew your policy each year without any break, lapse or change in the level of Cover. This means once your pet is insured with us and as long as we continue to offer the product, you will be able to renew your policy for that pet for life and your cover level will not be reduced as your pet ages provided you continuously maintain the cover. Cover is subject to the terms and conditions of your renewing policy. See details in your PDS.
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Any general advice provided by Dr Harry Cooper in relation to Everyday Pet Insurance is provided as an Authorised Representative of Hollard and PetSure through an arrangement with Woolworths AR No. 1000933.
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Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time prior to 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436 (Hollard), arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by Hollard’s Authorised Representative (AR) Woolworths Group Limited ABN 88 000 014 675, AR 245476 (Woolworths). Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time on or after 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s AR, Woolworths. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at insurance.everyday.com.au/pet-insurance.
