Did you know that routines are just as important for dogs as they are for you and I? A consistent schedule is paramount to the health and wellbeing of your new adopted dog.
A routine can not only help lower your dog’s stress levels but may also help them feel secure in their new home. Establishing a happy routine for your new fur friend might mean you need to adjust your own lifestyle initially, to help them transition into your new home.
Making sure your dog is happy while maintaining a good work-life balance can be very difficult. Whether you’re working from home or commuting, it is essential that you build a consistent routine with your pup.
Make sure to start slow, and only leave them alone for short periods (5-10 minutes), before increasing the amount of time you spend apart.
Why do I need to establish a routine to care for my dog?
There are two types of separation that can cause stress in dogs, especially those new to your home who may feel safe with you but not in their space yet. 1: Being left alone at home (Isolation distress). 2: Being separated from you, or another family member they have bonded with (separation distress). These can be hard to tell apart sometimes as dogs with separation distress might also become stressed if they are left alone, or if their bonded person has left the house even if others are around.
Lots of people take time off to help build a good relationship with their new dog. However, returning to work full time suddenly after spending 24/7 with a dog over the weekend or for that first week can be an incredible shock to them.
If you have taken time off (and/or can return to work flexibly), it is important you make sure your new pup is comfortable being left alone. Part of this routine can include leaving your dog in a separate room even while you’re in the house, or running a short errand in the car to get your pup used to your absence.
It is helpful to build up a routine for when you leave the house, as this is a time that can be nerve-wracking for your pup. Most dogs will recognise which routine means you are leaving without them and learn how to settle. Some dogs that are especially distressed at being left alone may start to pace or show other signs of stress – this would be an indication that you should consult with a qualified trainer.
What should I do when I leave the house?
If you are returning to work relatively quickly, do your best to build up a routine as quickly as possible and follow some of the steps below to help set you up for success.
Keep your entries and exits low-key
Making a fuss of your dog when you come home or leave won’t reinforce their stress (you can’t make a fear worse by being kind). But it can be valuable to keep your entries and exits calm. It’s great to say goodbye and hello, and to give them something to do (see below!) as you leave, or a little toy or treat to eat as you return. Sometimes dogs might jump as you arrive home out of excitement or stress – they are seeking connection.
They might be too excited or stressed to sit to greet you, but you can chat to them and reinforce any time four paws are on the floor. Some dogs will calm down beautifully after the initial greeting, and others might need to learn to settle over time.
Make sure it’s safe
Ensure you have puppy-proofed your house/ yard (as explained in previous chapters) to help keep your dog safe, and to be sure they don’t get up to mischief while you’re away.
Give them somewhere to toilet
If you’re leaving your pup at home all day, make sure they have somewhere they can access to go to the toilet. A doggy door to a safely enclosed outdoor area can be perfect or, alternatively, you can come by yourself or organise for someone else to take them outside on a walk during the day. Just like us, dogs prefer to toilet in clean spaces – it is important to clean up the backyard or indoor toilet area regularly.
Give them something to do
Below we provide some tips for keeping your dog happy while home alone – using these strategies is especially important during the first few months while your dog learns they can relax if left unsupervised. Food dispensing toys can be very valuable in helping them build a positive association with being left alone. Many dogs will eat their food happily when left alone, although others will become too stressed to eat. However, it is a myth that dogs that eat when you leave do not have separation distress – some dogs stress-eat just like humans. Dogs with separation distress will usually have multiple symptoms – how they interact with their food being only one of them.
Extreme destruction can be a sign of serious separation or isolation distress. If your dog has had adequate exercise, interactions with you, their breakfast etc., it may be worth investing in a consult with one of our RSPCA SA dog trainers (or a qualified force-free trainer) to be sure you’re setting them and you up for success.
How do I keep my dog mentally stimulated when I am not home?
If you are leaving your dog at home, it is important to ensure they have enough mental stimulation to avoid boredom. If left to their own devices, bored dogs don’t make good choices. Mental enrichment is just as critically important as physical exercise for dog welfare. Toys and treats are the most effective ways to keep your pup entertained, and can help keep your garden, watering system or household furniture safe from destruction.
It can be beneficial to hide treats around the house for your pup to find – although you should start by hiding them in easy spots to keep them motivated! You can also supply a safe toy for them to cuddle or play with, or something they can chew.
Toys that contain or dispense treats are great for keeping your dog occupied – try a Kong
Lots of food-dispensing toys work brilliantly with your dog’s daily food ration too – it doesn’t have to be treats. Save part of their breakfast and dinner for a Kong® in the morning and at night which has the double benefit of slowing down their eating and tiring them out.
It is important these toys are only used for when you leave! They provide great opportunities for enrichment when you are home after a long day, while you’re having dinner or if have guests over. If your dog is a little stressed about being left alone and their Kong® only comes out when you’re about to leave, they will quickly learn it isn’t a fun thing. Better for these enrichment toys to be a part of your everyday life so that they build positive, calm associations with them.
Walking your dog before leaving them home alone is another great way to use up some of their energy in a safe and enriching way. Morning walks don’t have to be full, long walk, and will be most beneficial if the dog is allowed to sniff and explore wherever it is safe to do so. Calm, sniffy walks in the morning greatly assist in helping them relax while they are on their own, whereas high-energy games of fetch can often leave a dog wired at the start of the day. Best to leave the high-energy activities for the afternoon, where you will be home to supervise them and ensure they are able to calm down properly.
How often should I take my dog for walk?
Making a habit of taking your dog for a walk is absolutely essential to their health and well-being. Not only are walks a vital source of socialisation (where they learn they are safe amongst new and unfamiliar sights, sounds, people, places and things), but they are also a great way to get your dog plenty of exercise. Building these walks into a consistent routine can help both you and your dog bring structure to your day – however, it is important to ensure you do so safely.
RSPCA SA recommends training your dog to walk properly on a leash to help make your walks more enjoyable for you both. You can teach your dog to walk politely, without pulling, with reward-based training. You’ll need some tasty, high-value food treats to reward your dog for any and all loose lead. The walk can continue while the lead is loose, and stops if the lead goes tight. Although the continuation of the walk is a reward in itself, it is still important to frequently reinforce polite walking with tasty treats throughout the exercise – which has the added bonus of teaching them the benefits of walking calmly much more quickly and building positive associations with their environment.
There are various types of equipment you can use when walking your dog, so it is helpful to know what works best for your pup.
A harness is most suitable for dogs, as it removes the pressure from the neck and the possibility of injury. It is especially important that brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, like French bulldogs, pugs, boxers or bulldogs, wear a harness to avoid any additional pressure on their airways and eyes, as their ability to breathe is already compromised
