This could be a familiar scenario to you:
It’s the first day of school, and your kid’s already excited to be with his classmates again after the long summer vacation. His school bus arrives.
When your kid is about to leave, your dog starts barking like crazy. The whole scenario repeats itself every school day.
If this is a familiar scenario, your dog needs a little to get used to the activities during regular school days. This entails further that your dog will have to understand that his humans won’t be available during typical work hours to pet, cuddle, or at least give him something to eat.
As a pet parent, it’s your responsibility to help your dog make the transition easy.
Here are some of the things you could do for your dog:
Set time to play with your dog
Set a few minutes before leaving for work or school to play with your dog. Strenuous activities will help your dog overcome the stress of temporary separation.
Distracting your dog with toys
When your kid is about to leave for school, bring your dog’s toys (particularly new ones) to temporarily distract your pet from making noises. Treats, such as meaty bones, could also come in handy and keep your dog occupied for a few hours.
Doggy day care
Sometimes, your dog needs just a little socialization with other dogs. Bringing your dog to the nearby doggy daycare is a good idea, as is letting your furry friend have a few hours of fun while your kids are away.
If you can’t find a nearby doggy daycare, you may hire a dog walker you can trust to take your dog for daily walks. This is a chance for your dog to socialize with others and have fun.
Your dog’s new doggy friend
Want a full-time distraction for your dog?
It would help if you had another dog in the family, a.k.a. a new playmate for your dog.
Your new dog will serve as your dog’s company when you and your kids are away. However, this is quite a risky move to consider.
If your dog is naughty, he can convince your new dog to behave the same! Or if your new dog is naughty, your dog could end up as your new dog’s accomplice. They could do things together, even cause lots of trouble together!
So, to prepare for this step, it is equally important to train your dog to behave well before bringing home another one.
Bottomline
Dogs love routines, and their behavior typically coincides with routines that are familiar to them.
A sudden change in routine could confuse your dog, and your role as a pet parent is to help your dog understand how the new routine works. When your dog understands the new routine, managing his behavior will be more accessible.