Back-to-school season can be a busy time for families! Preparing your pup for the inevitable schedule changes can be a great way to make this transition easier for your newest pack member. Keep in mind their temperament and the training you’ve completed with them so far will determine how fast they adapt. Here are some tips to help keep your dog happy as they navigate the changes ahead!
Dealing with the Inevitable
Dogs thrive on routine. Try to keep their feeding, walking, and playtime schedules consistent. If there are known shifts happening to your schedule try to make changes incrementally.
For example: if the kids have been in charge of feeding and they’ve been sleeping in this summer, morning feed time will be earlier than is has been. Try to adjust by 15-20 minute increments in the weeks before. This is the best way to establish the new schedule. Furthermore, if you plan to crate your dog while away from home practice putting them in the crate at the time you’d need to once school starts. Your pups mind and body will thank you! Not to mention it won’t add to the struggles of that first day of school rush!
Puppies have wonderful internal clocks that can either work for you or against you. So if you know a significant change is happening to the routine they know, it’s best to get ahead of it!
Creating Calm in the Chaos
There are some key habits that bring your furry friend some comfort. By utilizing these and incorporating them into your dogs’ day you will help troubleshoot possible struggles your puppy may have.
Extra Exercise
With kids heading back to school, your pup is bound to miss their playtime companions. By taking the little guy on a walk and expending some energy you can combat boredom. It will also do wonders for any built up anxiety. This is an especially helpful tool to use before leaving your furry friend for a good chunk of time. If you’ve noticed your pup is misbehaving exercise is usually a good place to start in correcting them before bad habits set in.
Bonding
A dog is known as “Mans Best Friend” for good reason. Making sure your pup knows its place in your pack can help build their confidence. A great way to bond is by keeping their minds sharp. You may not have the same amount of time to invest into training, but reinforcing basic commands regularly can do wonders. A training session for new tricks on the weekends builds relationship. Playtime for even 15 minutes can keep the bonds build over the summer alive.
If your puppy is still struggling with a lack of quality time consider sending them to school too (or at least doggy daycare). Socialization plays an important part in your furry friends health. If they’re missing playtime one of these options could help.
Calm Space
Create cozy spots for your puppy to get a rest from all the hustle and bustle. All dogs feed off the emotions in the pack and the beginning of a school year can change the energy in your home drastically. While a crate can be seen as a negative training tool, we highly recommend them. It’s not just a place your puppy goes when they’ve misbehaved. It’s a place for them to safely rest and recharge.
Additionally, set up a cozy spot near where your kids do their homework can be beneficial. A dog bed with a few toys and bone to chew as your child does their homework. Your pup has probably missed them and being able to relax nearby helps them to feel included in the new normal.
Don’t Forget About Bathroom Breaks
Hopefully by the time school starts you know how long your puppy can wait before they need to go outside for a bathroom break. Young dogs have smaller bladders and may need time to develop before being able to hold it while you’re away. By feeding them early and cutting them off from water after they’ve gone potty in the morning should help extend their ability to wait. This is especially helpful if you are still in the early days of training.
Keep in mind it may be necessary to come home on lunch breaks to give them a chance to go so you don’t come home to accidents. If you need more help with creating a schedule for your busy family or potty training we have some great blogs to help!
By applying these tips, adjusting to the back-to-school season can be a breeze! With a little planning everyone is sure to embrace the new pace. However, if your puppy is still struggling with the new back-to-school schedule we’d love to connect you with our preferred puppy trainer, Kimberly.
Still looking for that sweet little companion? Take a look at our available litters and contact Gladys, who is happy to help you find the perfect fit for your family.
