Many families have welcomed new furry family members since the last time school was in session. With school starting back up in a few weeks there will be many changes that your pup may not understand, whether they be a young dog or a rescue who has never experienced the big yellow bus that kidnaps their kids. Whether you are planning on homeschooling or sending your children back into school, the following are some tips you can do to prepare your pup for the back to school season.
Being Left Behind Can Be Great
After being home for months on end, your canine companion has probably gotten very used to having the family home all day, so it can be upsetting to your dog when there is a sudden change in routine (kids leaving to school, adults leaving for work, etc.) To help counter this and prepare your pup for this change start taking small trips outside of the home, you can even have mock mornings that will mimic a typical school morning. This will help desensitize your pup to the routine change.
Dangers in the Bag
One of the most critical commands you can teach your dog is the “leave it” command, as this can save your dog’s life. With the return of school means the return of lunch bags and to an enterprising pooch, this can be a treasure chest of yummy goodies. What may be considered tasty treats to your pup can actually be a dangerous poison for them. Be aware of what foods are poisonous to dogs and start training your canine companion to leave backpacks and lunch containers alone and to teach your children to put any leftovers from lunch away and out of reach of the dog.
Big Yellow Bus Means Stay
If your child is returning back to school and they catch the bus to school, your dog may not understand why their favourite tiny human is leaving them. Due to this, it is beneficial to set up a spot for your dog to hang out and teach them to stay there while the kids are getting on and off the bus. This will help ensure no accidents occur, whether it be the dog dashing out the door while the kids are leaving or the dog chasing after the bus as it’s leaving.
Midday Visitor for Pooch
Are you worried about your pup being left alone for a long time while you and the family are at work and school or did you get a new pup that can’t hold their bladder the entire school/business day? Consider contacting Rest Your Paws Pet Care or your local professional pet sitter to set up weekday check-ins or walks. This helps ensure your pup is taken care of while you are not home and can provide you with the peace of mind that your dog is in good hands.
The back to school season can be very exciting while also being stressful. I hope that some of these tips help make the return to school as smooth as possible and all family members (furry and human) have a safe and happy school year.