Training your Dog for Back to School

September - that dreaded time of year, when many people have to go back to school and work.  Summer is on its way out; the kids are getting used to their new teachers and starting an exciting new year.  Of course, this is a normal part of our lives today and although we understand the reasons behind the rhythms of our life, there seems to be some collateral damage that takes place during this period for our dogs.  Our unsuspecting dogs go from having us around almost every moment during the day, to not having us around for sometimes up to 8 hours in the day.  Regardless of how we prepare for the new season in advance (sometimes up to a few weeks of school shopping and new clothes), some of us lose sight of the fact that our canine companion will also have to get used to this big change.  If we did not prepare for this inevitable event, what can we do now to help our friend deal with the change?

Much of this depends on the age and kind of dog that you have.  Puppies are typically going to have a harder time with this.  For many pups who may be entering the next phase of their life (adolescence, over 6 months), this can be a very trying time for owner and dog.  For other people, this may not be as difficult.  For example, I have a 13 year old dog who sleeps the majority of the day anyway, so he would transition into this quite easily.  The energy level of the particular dog and what they were used to having during the summer months will also be important in determining how easy the transition from summer to fall will be.  As with most things dog related, since our dogs are all unique almost every case is different.

During the past 9 years, I’ve noticed that I get a marked increase in phone calls and training inquiries in September through December.  This can likely largely be attributed to the family having a different schedule and the fact that our dogs can not go outside as much during the winter months as they are have become accustomed to doing during the summer months.  The common issues that owners are reporting are typical - high energy and destructive behaviors that unfortunately can lead to a disintegration of the owner-dog relationship.  Pet parents need to do better job of understanding how a dog’s mind works so that they can make a compromise with their dog that will keep a harmonious bond, even in the face of change.  If you have been proactive and started to get the dog used to your routine a month before you go back to school/work, then reaching a middle ground can be easier for you. 

Many people experience success by establishing their fall and winter walk times many weeks before they go back to school and work so they are easier to implement.  Other people have a dog walker come by in advance to meet the dog and get to know him so the transition will be easier when the dog walker comes over to give the mid-day walk.  Finally, taking a training class over the summer can teach your dog some good habits that will be beneficial to you and your dog.  The overall goal here is to ease your dog into the modification of his normal routine.

What steps can you take now to avoid trouble?

It is not advised that you keep your dog in the yard or garage alone because there are a variety of bad things can happen to your dog in a yard or garage.  For example, they can eat something poisonous, dig holes, escape, bark at strangers, de-socialize, and at best learn a lot of unsound behaviors.  The best idea is to keep the dog as a member of the family so that he doesn’t become a behaviorally unsound pet that is used to living in a garage.  If you’re uncertain how your dog is going to behave in your house, than you will need to create a safe room with a comfortable bed and chew toys so you can safely confine your dog in your home.

Make sure that you are able to adequately exercise your dog before you leave in the am.  The amount of time that you spend exercising and the types of activities that you do with your dog will be dictated by the type of dog you have. Some dogs like to play at a dog park, others like a 30 minute walk in the woods or a run on the streets of Westhampton, and other dogs like to spend 5 minutes outside and 20 minutes on the couch chewing a stuffed Kong (my dog).  Regardless of what type of dog you have, 3-4 walks a day are important.  It is important to note that physical exercise alone isn’t enough; you have to get your dog to think and be engaged mentally, whether it is of the obedience variety or food games such as Kongs, Buster Cubes and Busy Balls. 

Make sure you give your dog something to do when you leave the house.  The typical things that people give their dogs are the food motivational toys (Kongs and Kong type products).  These can be very helpful and useful and in some cases it is a good idea to feed your dog his normal portion of food in these toys to keep him busy when you leave. 

If applicable, a mid-day dog walker can be helpful also.  In some case this is not necessary, but many have found a great deal of success with this.

When you come home, it is likely that your dog will be overly excited and literally jumping for joy to see you.  It is always a good idea to wait until your dog is calm, not jumping on you, before saying hello and giving him the reinforcement that you so desperately want to give.  Having this discipline will help your dog stay calm and while providing the impression “no big deal, I come home every day”.  This idea can also be utilized when you leave the home in the morning; “It’s no big deal, I leave everyday this time, no drama needed”.

Finally, if you have to go back to work or school, maybe your dog should also!  Find a good group training class to work your dog’s mind.  This can give you great tools, create an even stronger bond between you and your dog, and be a fun thing to do on the weekend considering you are not home as much.  Be creative and have fun!  If you suspect that your dog has unusual anxiety issues, it is a good idea to reach out to a positive trainer and get some help.