Preparing Dogs for Schedule Changes
Whether it’s back to school, a job change, or new family members in your home, any time of transition can be a challenge for your pup! That sudden adjustment from plenty of time at home with you to suddenly being alone more during the day can cause some fear, anxiety, and even loneliness for your dog. Let’s dive into 3 ways you can help make schedule changes easier for your pup. 1. Give Extra Exercise and Enrichment Our dogs need mental and physical exercise. It’s that simple. And when we know schedule changes will be happening, we need to give them even more. Do NOT plan on leaving for long stretches of time without giving your dog some exercise. Here are some quick ideas: Use frozen treats like Lick Mats and Kongs Encourage healthy chewing with long-lasting chews Do activities that incorporate both physical and mental exercise like fetch, sniff walks, and flirt poles And now, the 2nd point. 2. Slowly Work into the New Schedule Dogs are creatures of habit, so if you need to change those habits… try to do it gradually instead of all at once. If your summer wake up time for your pup is 8 am but it will be switching to 6:30 am, take a week or two to gradually move up their wake up, feeding, and exercise schedule. accordingly And with any time of change, remember to be patient with your pup. They may change their behavior, habits, and even general mood as they go through changes in their schedule. Here’s the 3rd and final point. 3. Get a Dog Walker or Friend to Help Out Dogs have been bred for thousands of years to enjoy the company of humans. So if you’re not able to provide that during the day, try to get other people involved in their life. Dog walkers or sitters are a good option for midday visits. If that isn’t financially viable, try getting the help of a friend, family member, or neighbor. I’m sure there is someone near you who LOVES dogs and would love extra time around one! Recap Changes in schedule can be surprisingly challenging for dogs of any age. By following these tips you’ll help ensure that this transition is as simple and positive as possible for your dog! Have other ideas that helped your dog? Tell me in a review! Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾 Download the Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/qpup-app Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/perfect-pup/message