It's been a busy few months for Dr Devanshi Desai, who has seen her clientele increase by three folds since the lockdown was imposed in March. Little furry canines frequently trickle into her Chembur home with signs of stress, anxiety and agitation, which aren't commonly attached to dogs their age. "We're seeing an increase in behavioural issues in pets due to the lockdown, and its subsequent easing," says the dentist-turned-animal behaviourist, who has been attending to her clients, both, in person and via her now-popular virtual programmes.

"Several people adopted puppies when the lockdown was initially extended, because they knew they would be spending time at home. Growing up, the puppies were promised that owners would be around at all times. It became their reality. Now, as the lockdown is easing and people have started moving out, they have to adapt to their new reality, which can be stressful," says Desai, adding that constant interference of owners can also be stressful for dogs, who were accustomed to managing themselves, in their absence.