Here are some interesting tips and ideas on what you can do if faced with a sad little or big pooch after you and your partner decide to end your life together. It’s never easy so…

1. Don’t fight in front of the dog.
Keisler explains, “Dogs are so sensitive, and they read our feelings even better than we do, I think.” She explains that this attunement is when animals not only read feelings but take it a step further and get in tune and in sync with what you are feeling. Empathy in its purest form.
If you are arguing or becoming aggregated, put the dog in the other room, go outside, or leave the house completely.

2. Alter your dog’s routine as little as possible.
The more you can keep your dog’s life the same, the easier it will be for him to get used to his new life. Keisler suggests making changes slowly. If moving, take your dog to the new place a few times prior, making it a fun and happy experience for him. Put moving materials like boxes out for a while before packing so they aren’t seen as something negative.

3. Arrange for visits.
Visits with your ex can help your dog know he has not been abandoned. Make it extra special when your ex leaves and give your dog a treat. The person’s exit will become a time to celebrate and eat tasty things!

4. If sharing custody, minimize the confusion and uncertainty.
Keep a united front in front of the children! Agree on some rules beforehand: When the dog is fed and bathed, whether he can sleep in the human bed, what kind of dog food he eats, and whether he is allowed human food. Make sure to go through each of these things and come to an agreement you can both stick to.

5. If there is a custody dispute, protect the dog during the battle.
To minimize trauma to your pet, think about what will be best for him. Which one of you is home the most, has the biggest backyard, is stable financially enough to take care of vet bills and other finances related to owning a dog? In short, Keisler suggests, “Think about what is best for the animal. Leave your ego at the door.”

One other thing you might think about is before adopting a dog as a couple: plan for a breakup. We know it’s something you do not want to think about but these days so many marriages and live-in relationships end in divorce and premature partings. As you would with any child, you must think of the dog’s best interest!

To learn more, go to Dogster and absorb the ins and outs of co-parenting during a break-up – or simply coping on your own with a dog after a good-bye.