Back to School? Get Your Dog Ready for the Change.
As you get the kids ready for school and pick up all the supplies, your dog may be the last thing on your mind. The truth is, your dog will notice! It pays to take a moment to understand how your pup will experience this schedule transition for the family. Here are some tips to help get everyone ready for that step back into the classroom.
- Establish new routines, early. Your dog thinks summer life is grand! The days are filled with activities, everyone is home a lot, and life seems perfect. But they don’t know what’s coming. Dogs, by nature, are never happy when you leave. They may react by pacing, barking, refusing to eat, chewing, whining, and howling. A fully potty trained dog can even regress to accidents. Because dogs love routine, start to establish new routines before school starts. Ease your dog into the transition the same way you ease your kids into the change.
- Start your dog’s day with exercise whenever possible. A tired dog is more likely to take a nap to pass the time until you and the kids return home at the end of the day. Sleeping means less possibility of getting into mischief! Do you walk your kids to school or to a bus stop? This is a great time to take the dog along, let them see where the kids are going, and get them some extra activity in the process.
- Always exit and return calmly. Leave lights on and a radio playing when you leave, and make sure your dog has a comfortable spot to rest and enough water to get through the day.
- Give your dog Calming Formula™ from Terry Naturally® Animal Health. Calming Formula helps dogs manage normal stress, supporting their ability to stay calm and relaxed. It doesn’t cause drowsiness, and it works quickly. Calming Formula is perfect for back-to-school separation time and for life events like traveling, going to the groomer, and loud noises like fireworks and thunder.
It is important to understand that back-to-school time affects the whole family—including your family pet. Follow these steps to make it a happy transition for all!
Back to School? Get Your Dog Ready for the Change.
As you get the kids ready for school and pick up all the supplies, your dog may be the last thing on your mind. The truth is, your dog will notice! It pays to take a moment to understand how your pup will experience this schedule transition for the family. Here are some tips to help get everyone ready for that step back into the classroom.
- Establish new routines, early. Your dog thinks summer life is grand! The days are filled with activities, everyone is home a lot, and life seems perfect. But they don’t know what’s coming.
- Dogs, by nature, are never happy when you leave. They may react by pacing, barking, refusing to eat, chewing, whining, and howling. A fully potty trained dog can even regress to accidents. Because dogs love routine, start to establish new routines before school starts. Ease your dog into the transition the same way you ease your kids into the change.
- Start your dog’s day with exercise whenever possible. A tired dog is more likely to take a nap to pass the time until you and the kids return home at the end of the day. Sleeping means less possibility of getting into mischief! Do you walk your kids to school or to a bus stop? This is a great time to take the dog along, let them see where the kids are going, and get them some extra activity in the process.
- Always exit and return calmly. Leave lights on and a radio playing when you leave, and make sure your dog has a comfortable spot to rest and enough water to get through the day.
- Give your dog Calming Formula™ from Terry Naturally® Animal Health. Calming Formula helps dogs manage normal stress, supporting their ability to stay calm and relaxed. It doesn’t cause drowsiness, and it works quickly. Calming Formula is perfect for back-to-school separation time and for life events like traveling, going to the groomer, and loud noises like fireworks and thunder.
It is important to understand that back-to-school time affects the whole family—including your family pet. Follow these steps to make it a happy transition for all!