That time of year is here again. You’re transitioning to your fall routine. Whether it’s prepping the kids for quick morning before they catch the bus or longer work hours, the change in routine affects the whole family, including your dog.
Dogs, like many people, are creatures of habit and a consistent routine helps keep them happy and balanced. Sudden changes in that routine can be very upsetting to a dog, and result in unintended behavioral problems. But with appropriate transitioning, exercise, and mentally engaging activities you can help your dog adjust easily to your new schedule.
Here are some of our top tips to keeping those back to school blues at bay:
1. Start getting your dog used to your absence in small intervals.
If the whole family is going to be gone for several hours in the day, and all summer your dog has had someone home with him, this is a big change. Start by taking the whole family out of the house for an hour or two, and slowly build up the time until your dog reacts to your absence as normal. This will leave your dog confident that you all will eventually return and avoid negative coping responses such as inappropriate chewing.
2. Keep your dog tired.
Making sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise can be tough when more of your day is booking up, but keeping your dog’s energy level low through regular exercise will keep you both happier. If you know you won’t be able to meet your dog’s exercise needs during your work week, consider options like dog walkers or doggy daycare.
West Paw Tux, Dura Doggie Nebo, and Premier Busy Buddy treat dispensing toys
3. A busy mind won’t be destructive.
Keep your dog mentally engaged with toys that make him or her think. Treat dispensing toys (which can also be used to feed meals), give your dog a mental workout as he or she figures out how to get those delicious edibles out of all sorts of interesting contraptions. There are options for dogs who do better kenneled during the day, and those that get free roam of the house. Pictured here are just a few of the treat dispensing toys we have available at the store. Come on in and talk to us about how we can help you keep your dog’s mind busy while you’re away.
