Here’s how to prepare your dog for back-to-school time, according to an expert

If you have children, you’ll know just how fun the summer can be for them. Weeks of playing and having fun – and most importantly, no school!

But it’s not just your kids who might enjoy the break. Your dog might be having a whale of a time with the extra attention and people to play with all day. After all, what’s better than having your favorite people at home with you (and perhaps sneaking you a few more of the best dog treats than you might have usually)?

The break doesn’t last forever, however, and eventually, your dog will have to adjust back to their normal routine, which might not be easy for them. However, there are some things that you can do to help make a smooth transition for your pup – as Dr Linda Simon , the resident vet at Pooch & Mutt , has explained.

“A new routine can be stressful for a dog to cope with, especially if they're younger or more anxious by nature,” she says (here are 32 ways to destress your dog for more information).

“If your dog needs to be left alone for the school run and is not used to this, they may find it hard to cope. This can lead to destructive behavior when left alone e.g. digging, chewing, or barking. To prevent this, owners could get their dogs gradually used to being left alone for short periods when the school run would be. To make this more successful, it is a good idea to provide some exercise before then (wearing them out) and to give them something to do while away e.g. a food puzzle or chew.”

What else can you do in the run-up to your children going back to school? Dr Simon advises prioritizing waking up early in the morning – ideally around the time you’d normally wake up to get ready for school and work. “This way, you can reintroduce bright and early toilet breaks and feeding time to your dog ready for when alarm clocks are ringing!” she says.

As your pup might be used to having people at home during the day over the summer, it’s a good idea to get them used to being home alone again, too. Make a start by leaving them alone when you run errands or go to the store, before gradually increasing the amount of time they’re by themselves for. To make it easier for them, you could take them for a walk first thing in the morning, or ask someone to drop by to let them out to use the bathroom.

Your dog might have more access to the yard during the summer, meaning that they can go to the bathroom when they like. So, it’s a good idea to let them out to go before you leave the house – make sure you know how to avoid dog heatstroke for when your dog is outside, too!

Keep exercise a priority when your children are back in school too, as your dog might find it difficult to go back to regular walks after all the extra exercise, and ensure they have enough mental stimulation with fun toys and chews.

And, of course, don’t forget to give your dog plenty of love and attention. It’s a busy time of year, and you and your family might be feeling stressed about getting ready for the new school year or sad that summer is coming to an end, but your dog doesn’t understand this – so, it’s time to give them an extra fuss!

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