Back-to-school time isn’t just a big adjustment for the kids in our families. Our dogs notice the changes, too.
After a summer of having everyone home more often, enjoying different schedules, extra attention, and maybe a few later mornings, suddenly the alarm clock is going off earlier and everyone is heading out the door again.
Our dogs are part of the family, so I thought this was a wonderful reminder that they need a little help adjusting to those changes, too. The following information from award-winning veterinarian Dr. Gary Richter, founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, offers some simple things families can do to help their dogs settle back into a school-year routine.
Back-To-School Routines Aren’t Just for Kids. A Guide to Getting Your Dog Back on a Schedule.
Somehow, summer has flown by and back-to-school season is already here. As parents focus on getting their kids back into a routine, it’s important not to forget another member of the family who also feels the transition—dogs.
The shift from carefree summer days to structured school schedules can be an adjustment for pets, too. Earlier mornings, empty houses for hours at a time, and earlier bedtimes can all disrupt their routines and even lead to stress or separation anxiety. Helping pets ease into the new schedule can make the transition smoother for the entire family.
Below are tips from award-winning veterinarian and founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, Dr. Gary Richter on how to get your dog on a back-to-school schedule.
Start adjusting the schedule before school starts. If you can, move wake-up times, walks, meals, and bedtime toward the school-year schedule gradually over several days rather than changing everything overnight. If you don’t have time to do this, remember to be patient with your dog as they are adapting to the changes that are happening around them. They probably won’t get the hang of the new schedule overnight.
Practice being alone again. If your dog has had people around all summer, begin leaving them alone for gradually increasing periods so the first day of school isn’t suddenly an eight-hour separation. Even practicing this on the weekends is a good idea to get dogs used to not being around humans or having human access 24/7.
Keep the important parts of the day predictable. Dogs thrive on routine, so try to maintain consistent feeding, exercise, bathroom, and bedtime schedules even when the family’s schedule changes. Consistency is key to prevent bathroom accidents and behavioral issues.
Make mornings count. A good walk, play session, or other physical activity before everyone leaves can help your dog settle more comfortably during the quieter part of the day. Try to schedule at least 10-15 minutes in the morning to focus on your pet and provide the attention that they need.
Don’t forget mental exercise. Puzzle feeders, food-dispensing toys, scent games, and safe long-lasting enrichment can give dogs something productive to do after the family leaves. Make sure that your dog has played with these toys before under your watch, so that you aren’t leaving them unattended with choking hazards or other dangers.
Avoid making departures and arrivals a huge event. Calm, matter-of-fact transitions can help prevent dogs from becoming overly focused on people coming and going. You can still give your dog a pet or kiss goodbye, but don’t make a scene or get them riled up before you depart.
Build quality time into the new routine. Your dog may be getting significantly less interaction than they did during summer, so intentionally schedule walks, play, training, or family time after school and in the evening. Make sure each family members get their quality time with the dog.
Consider a midday break. For dogs that aren’t comfortable being alone all day, a dog walker, trusted neighbor, pet sitter, or appropriate daycare can break up a long stretch at home.
Watch for signs that your dog isn’t adjusting well. Excessive barking, destructive behavior, house-soiling, pacing, drooling, loss of appetite, or frantic behavior when people leave can indicate anxiety rather than simply boredom. Make sure to consult with your vet on any issues you are seeing arise.
After all is said and done, give your pet some time to adjust. Most dogs can adapt quite well to a new family schedule when the transition is gradual and their needs for exercise, enrichment, social interaction, and predictability continue to be met. Remember, patience and time are key to getting your dog on a back-to-school schedule.
I think one of the easiest things to forget when our schedules change is that our dogs don’t understand why everything suddenly looks different. To them, summer was simply life. Everyone was home more, mornings may have been slower, and they probably got plenty of extra attention. Then suddenly the house gets quiet and the people they love walk out the door.
That doesn’t mean we have to feel guilty about going back to school, work, or our normal routines. It just means we can help our dogs understand the new routine by giving them some consistency and making sure they still know they are an important part of the family. For me, that is really the biggest takeaway from these tips. Our pets are family. They depend on us to notice when something has changed and to help them adjust.
Even something as simple as taking a few minutes in the morning for a walk, playing together after school, or spending some quiet time with your dog in the evening can make a difference.
And if your dog is having a difficult time with the transition, don’t simply assume they are being naughty or acting out. Pay attention to those changes and talk with your veterinarian if you’re concerned.
Back-to-school may mean a new schedule for everyone, but it doesn’t have to mean less love or less family time for our four-legged family members. Sometimes the little routines are the things that help all of us feel at home.
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