Happy dogs, happy life!
Dogs are happier when they have a consistent schedule. With the 2021-2022 school year approaching, dog owners will need to help their dogs adjust to their new routines.
If your dogs are anything like mine, they have enjoyed the extra time with you. How will going back to work/school affect them? Some dogs will be just fine, but others may have a hard time with the change. Dogs learn by patterns and often when a pattern changes, it takes an adjustment period for the dog to learn the new pattern.
Here are some ways to help your dog adjust to your new daily schedule.
Before you leave in the morning, give them some mental and physical exercise. Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise.
A Sniffy Walk
A sniffy walk is a walk that gets their mind and olfactory system working. Start your walk by having Sniffy Walk. What is the importance of a sniffy walk?
Nothing in life is FREE
Domestic dogs have never had to hunt for their food. Just because domestic dogs don't hunt for their food does not mean these natural behaviors have been bred out of them. Feeding your dog their meals out of a puzzle toy has an infinite number of benefits. The puzzle toys will help the dogs "work" for their meal. Working the dog's brain can help many behavioral problems such as boredom and anxiety. Some of the most popular puzzle toys are;
Calming Music
Now it's time to head off to work. Leaving your dog with some calming music to listen to while your are gone can help them stay relaxed as you leave. There are many different apps and online resources that have created special playlists of calming music with your dog in mind. Here is one of many that are available from Calming Music for Dogs There is even a whole market of interactive cameras you can purchase. These interactive cameras let you keep an eye on your dog, talk to your dog, and even treat your dog while you are away.
Calming Supplements
Using a natural calming supplement is a great way to help your dog. These are some of my favorite products I personally use on my own dogs. They start to work right away and are non-habit forming.
We all love our dogs so much and want them to be as happy as they make us. Start their day off with some exercise follow up by breakfast in a puzzle toy, then they will be ready for a nap when it's time for you to head off to work.