September is Service Dog Awareness Month and how to Help Your Dog with the Return to School
September is Service Dog Awareness Month! (Image Courtesy: MobilityDog.org)
It’s Back-to-School: How to Help Your Dog Adjust
Fall means new schedules and routines for the return to school, but where does that leave your dog after a busy summer?
Back-to-School and Your Dog
It’s that time of year when your dog’s summer schedule changes! Since dogs (and other pets) are creatures of habit and feel the most secure with a consistent routine, dog parents must help their dogs adjust to the new back-to-school schedule.
Back-to-school is tough on everyone, but even more so for your dog because they can’t understand all the changes around them. Remember, your dog lives in the moment and probably has no previous memory of going through these changes.
Carefully watch your dog’s behavior for signs of separation anxiety or “isolation distress.” Signs can include non-stop barking, digging, destructive behaviors, lethargy, depression, or even hyperactivity due to pent-up energy not being released during summer activities.
Use plenty of praise (and treats) so your dog sees these changes as good!
Enlist the help of a local dog walker to help your dog adjust gradually to your new schedule.
Doggy daycares can also help keep your dog engaged and happy instead of spending hours alone at home.
Use interactive toys and treat-dispensing puzzles to keep your furry best friend happily occupied in your absence. An easy-to-make frozen stuffed Kong will work wonders!
Or check-in on your pet during the day with a dog camera.
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