How to Ease Your Dog Back into Your Fall Routine

Summer is a dog’s favorite time of the year. 

Your kids are home all summer long and the rest of the family is usually around more often as well. Most dogs love people, and now that it’s fall, they are likely to have to spend a bit more time by themselves, which can make some dogs very anxious. So, how do you ease your dog back into your fall routine? Our veterinarian in North Merrick has come up with this list of tips to help:

#1. Develop a new routine and try to stick with it as much as you can. 

Pets, much like small children, do best when they have a predictable routine. That is one of the reasons why a dog will get so stressed when things change too quickly. The sooner your dog will be able to predict your routine, like what time you leave in the morning and come back home in the evening, the sooner your dog will be comfortable with your new fall routine.

#2. Make other arrangements if you plan to be gone for a long period of time.

Do whatever you can to keep your dog well cared for when you have to leave them alone for a long period of time. A great option is to hire a dog walker for an afternoon stroll. Not only will this help to get your dog’s energy out, but it gives them a chance to get out of the house and be around other people and dogs.

Want to learn about a couple more things you can do to ease your dog back into your fall routine? If so, please stay tuned for our next blog.

Getting back into the back to school routine isn’t only difficult for your kids, it can be hard on your dog too!

Most dogs can’t get enough of people, and they thrive when they are around the people they love the most. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so difficult for many dogs when their owners start to get busy in the fall. In our last blog, our veterinary clinic in North Bellmore went over a couple of helpful tips to ease your dog back into your fall routine. The following is a list of our last couple of tips:

#3. Don’t get too busy to give your dog the attention he or she needs. 

With school, after school activities and sports, the fall can get pretty busy for many families. However, you should never let your schedule get so busy that you no longer have time to spend with your dog. As we previously mentioned, dogs love being around people, and many get depressed and anxious when they are alone for too long. Make time to go on walks and spend quality time with your fuzzy friend so that they get the exercise and attention that they need.

#4. Consider getting a product to help calm your dog’s anxiety. 

If your dog’s anxiety issues are more severe, you may need to look into some other options. Before you turn to anxiety medications for your dog, think about trying some of the other nonprescription options out there, one of which is a Thundershirt. Thundershirts put constant, gentle pressure on a dog’s chest to help them calm down, and they work well for dogs that have separation anxiety, thunder phobia and vet anxiety.

Do you have questions or concerns about your dog’s separation anxiety? Don’t hesitate to contact us!