Ever wondered why your otherwise calm and friendly dog starts displaying aggressive behavior, even when, as a pet parent, you are taking good care of it? Well, not many of us realize that, even though our four-legged friends live in our homes, they experience the world very differently from their human counterparts. For humans, life has a wide array of varieties; dogs, on the other hand, thrive on routine. Therefore, to us, a small change in the usual schedule may not matter as much, but for the dogs, it can feel like the whole world is changing.
So, let us delve deeper and understand why routine holds the utmost importance to dogs, what happens when it changes, and how we can help them cope with it.
Reasons that make dogs rely on routines so deeply
As you can understand, dogs are not a species that can read the clock timings. Instead, they are more dependent on the patterns created by their human parents. As they cannot think in hours and minutes, the way we do, they organize their world through certain aspects, and these are repetition, predictability, and sensory cues (smell, sound, light, etc.). A consistent routine can help dogs connect the flow of events. To put it in a nutshell, when they are assured of the events that are going to happen next, they feel safe.
Routine is also connected to emotional security
For dogs, routine isn’t boring as for humans; rather, it is reassuring. Therefore, daily habits like morning walks, meal times, play sessions, and bedtime rituals gradually form an invisible emotional structure deep inside their minds. Each of these moments makes the dog feel safe, and it feels it is being cared for. For some reason, if the routine changes, it affects their emotional structure too, and they become clueless. They feel something is off and desperately look for the missing link.
Common routine changes that affect dogs
Various routine variations, which might seem to be a minor incident to us, can make a huge difference for the dog, and commonly these can be in the form of the following:
- Changes in meal times: Shifting meal time by even an hour can cause restlessness, whining, loss of appetite, and anxiety.
- Changes in walking and exercising schedules: As you know, for dogs, walking and exercising are mandatory activities as they help stimulate them physically and mentally. When they miss these activities, or there is a delay, it can lead them to display destructive behavior, increased barking, and show excess energy.
- Changing of shifts of the owner: Most dogs become emotionally connected to their owners. Gradually, they form a deep bond, and any changes in the work schedule can trigger separation anxiety, confusion, and clinginess. For dogs, the absence of their “favorite” person can change the world. Things can get from bad to worse if the dog is never trained to remain alone.
New family members or pets
When a dog is suddenly introduced to a baby, another dog, or even a long-term guest, it can affect their attention, understanding of noise levels, and the daily flow of events. Often, in such situations, the dog may feel displaced or unsure of their role.
Travel or temporary relocation
Even short trips can disrupt the dog’s sleeping patterns, bathroom habits, and appetite. The reason, as you can understand, is that it is not accustomed to this new pattern. For this reason, experts recommend carrying items that contain familiar smells, or the owner should play sounds to which they are familiar. It would help them to remain calm to some extent.
Signs that your dog is struggling with routine changes
As mentioned before, dogs rarely act differently without a reason. Behavior shifts are often disruptive for them, and you should watch out for the following signs:
- Increased barking or whining.
- Changes in appetite.
- Restlessness or pacing.
- Withdrawal or clinginess.
- Frequent accidents indoors.
- Destructive chewing.
As a pet owner, you need to realize these are by no means the signs of disobedience, but these are the evident signs of emotional stress.
Why do dogs feel change more intensely than humans?
The reason is rather simple: humans have the ability to accept and move on with changes. However, dogs cannot do the same. When routine changes all of a sudden, the dogs cannot think their human is busy right now; instead, they become clueless about the situation. This uncertainty has a direct impact on their stress response, and when the changes in routine happen regularly, it can affect their confidence, trust, and emotional behavior.
The link between routine and dog anxiety
Pet dog owners should understand that inconsistent schedules can lead to separation anxiety, their reactions, and over-dependence on owners. A routine gives the dog a sense of control in a world that they cannot understand fully. When dogs follow a set routine, they remain more manageable and controlled.
How puppies and adult dogs handle routine changes
The routine changes are different between puppies and dogs. Since the puppies are at a learning phase, they tend to remain inconsistent, which can further lead to confusion during training. They start biting more and you need to take measures to stop it. The adult dogs with routine changes will adapt to changes very slowly, and the emotional impact will be deeper. For the unversed, senior dogs, in particular, need a fixed routine more than the pups.
Even positive routine changes can be stressful
Sometimes, even the routine changes you introduce for their good can seem overwhelming for the dogs. Some common examples can be as follows:
- Shifting to a bigger house.
- More playtime.
- Introducing the dogs to a new and bigger park.
- Offering them new food that might be nutritious.
Precisely speaking, dogs require time and repetition to understand and become accustomed to things.
Tips to help a dog adjust to routine changes
If a routine change is inevitable, then you should do it gradually. The steps you can introduce are as follows:
- Shift schedules slowly.
- Adjust by a few minutes per day.
- Try to maintain familiar cues.
- Remember to keep the walking style the same.
- Even if the time changes, let the feeding location remain the same.
- Do not interfere with their bedtime routine.
By maintaining the above steps, it can provide emotional stability to them
The use of predictable signals can also prove to be reassuring for dogs. Dogs, as we all know, thrive on cues, so ensure using the same leash, the same feeding bowl, and using the same words when introducing the changes. These consistencies in signals reduce their uncertainty to a great extent. Addressing their mental stimulation can also be of some help. Offering puzzle toys, training sessions, and scent games frequently will help them overcome stress, regain confidence, and combat anxiety.
Routine isn’t about control; it is about trust
Some dog owners think that a fixed routine would make their dogs rigid. Practically, it is the other way. A dog that is on a routine will adapt better to occasional changes, will remain emotionally secure, and recover faster from stress. Moreover, developing a puppy training schedule can help.
When to seek professional help
At times, things can get out of control, and seeking professional help becomes indispensable. Watch out for the following signs, and do not delay in visiting a professional:
- Severe anxiety.
- Aggression.
- Destructive behavior.
- Loss of appetite that lasts for several days.
In such situations, a trainer or a vet can help rule out deeper emotional and medical conditions.