Your dog and back-to-school

Back to school is a time when the family is focused on kids. But what happens to the family dog who has spent the summer playing with the kids and adults or traveling with the family? With the schedule changes, fun and attention is diminished, and with everything going on the family dog is often overlooked.

Just when your dog was enjoying having the family home the daily routine gets changed. Since dogs are creatures of habit and routine, this can be upsetting. Dogs don’t really understand nor do they remember the same thing happened last year.

For newly acquired puppies, it is even more confusing when their playmates disappear each day. Because of this, puppies and dogs might begin acting out in ways that owners have never seen or haven’t seen in in a while. This may include anything from wanting more attention and being annoying to changing their potty habits to destructive behavior. They may start getting into things that they shouldn’t. Sometimes “My dog ate my homework” actually happens. Paper, pillows, shoes, fabric of all kinds, rugs, woodwork, child toys and more might get chewed up or disappear. This is their way of showing you they are stressed and anxious with the changes.

The best advice is to get the dog ready for these changes before they happen. Leave the house more often on a regular basis. Tire them out before you leave for the day. Have a specific routine for when the kids come home from school each day. Get up even earlier and take the dog for a long walk then play with them before you leave. At least your dog will be tired when you leave and then be less destructive.

If your dog is destructive then crate or baby gate them in a small room when you leave. With both puppies and adult dogs, make sure to leave something engaging to chew on so they don’t think about the family being gone. If it is possible one to two days a week take them to a doggie daycare. Not only will they play and get tired but being away from the house gives them less time to focus on the family being gone. They are in play mode with dogs and not thinking about their humans. They will look forward to this, and being physically and psychologically more tired, will help make them much happier and less anxious.

When the family gets home for the day ask them to be low key around the dog. Too much excitement increases their feelings of loss when you are gone. Put your stuff down before you say hello, and when you greet them do it calmly outside so there is no excitement inside. Take them out or on a walk then play with them to release some pent-up energy. If possible, go back to your daily training routine with them. That gives them one on one attention and reinforces your role.

Try to resume the same evening routine you would have at any other time. If you have family sports or other events in the evening, find out if your well-behaved dog can attend with you. Trying to be inclusive when the new school year begins can really help.

Just remember not to exclude them from your busy lives but find ways to include them in family activities. Walks, ball games, beach, yard play and more will make them feel the loss of time away from you less deeply.

Abby Bird is the owner of Alphadog Training Academy. AlphadogTrainingAcademy@gmail.com