The back to school period is a phase of transition for all family members, not least your pet pooch. With the right back to school tips for dogs at your disposal, though, you can make it a far less stressful adjustment.

After a summer of spending long days playing with the children, your pup must re-acclimatize to moments spent alone. Preparing your dog for back to school transitions is essential. Here are eight great tips to do it in style.

#1. Establish routines that can last

Of course, the back to school transition will cause some aspects of your pup’s routine to change. Therefore, it’s imperative that you focus on consistency in other aspects of their daily lifestyle to reduce the impact of those alterations.

It can be as simple as using a dog treats subscription service to ensure that your pup always has access to their favorite foods. Additional steps like going for a morning walk at the same time each day and visiting the same route at least a few times weekly provide further support.

Like humans, dogs will take comfort from the consistencies that remain. This will enable them to take the back to school transition in their stride.

#2. Avoid making a big deal of leaving

You can start preparing a dog for back to school transitions before the new term starts. Nevertheless, the way you approach the situation when it arrives is equally important. One of the biggest issues relates to how you leave the home each morning.

Most owners, adults and children, fall into the trap of saying goodbye to the dog with grand gestures. While your intention is to spoil your pup with love and affection, the truth is that it can cause anxiety. Dogs are smart and will soon associate this routine with the loneliness to come.

With this in mind, it is better to make a far more subdued exit. Save the big displays of affection for when you return and you should notice a difference.

#3. Test out different background noises

Even adult dogs sleep for 12-14 hours a day. So, it’s likely that your dog will spend at least some of the time snoozing. It should be noted, though, that this is only possible if your dog feels comfortable. Finding the right background ambiance should be a priority.

The shift from a busy home and hearing children play to silence can be quite unsettling. Therefore, it is worth running a trial with the TV or radio on as background noise to see if this helps calm your pup. Alternatively, sound devices designed with dogs in mind.

A calmer dog who is soothed by those background noises will find it easier to sleep and feel less agitated when awake. Perfect.

#4. Provide stimulation for your pup

Comfortable surroundings are one thing, but it’s equally important for owners to provide a mentally stimulating environment for your pup. Otherwise, the combination of separation anxiety and boredom could result in negative or destructive behaviors.

In addition to their favorite toys, ensuring that they have to work for their food is one of the smartest back to school tips for a dog’s health and happiness. A game that challenges the pup to work for their blueberry and PB dog treats, or other favorite snack, will deliver great results.

Aside from curing boredom, those puzzles can slow cognitive decline in older dogs. And it’s a good way to support your dog’s nutrition too.

#5. Establish toileting routines

One of the biggest challenges facing your pup when left alone for long periods relates to toileting. Therefore, it is vital that you use the summer break as an opportunity to learn how long your pup can be left alone at a time.

Once again, routines are essential. Encouraging your pup to go in the morning, either in the backyard or on your walk, is advised. Hopefully, the result will be that they can last until one of the human owners returns from work or school later in the day.

Training your dog to go to a specific place is an option. Alternatively, you could ask a neighbor to make a daytime stop at your property to support your pup.

#6. Support your pup’s behavior

Preparing a dog for back to school transitions isn’t just about the shift from busy homes to quiet surroundings. It is a potentially unsettling situation that will cause particular problems if your dog has an erratic personality and displays unstable behaviors.

Obedience training doesn’t only make life easier for you as an owner. It can actively support pups in difficult moments, like transitional phases. Start by teaching them their name before moving onto more advanced steps and self-regulation.

Aside from helping your pup deal with the back to school stage, it should unlock benefits in virtually all situations.

#7. Consider outside help

While early morning walks are an ideal way to stimulate and tire out the pup, it’s not always viable. After all, getting ready for work and school means that the mornings are hectic enough. Even if you can fit a walk in, it’s likely to be limited.

So, you may also wish to turn your attention to outside help. Professional dog walkers can come and take your dog out. Or you could ask an extended family member. Either way, it breaks up the day while also creating a new routine for your pup.

It’s also a chance to toilet, exercise, and spend time with other people. In some cases, it’ll even open the door to social activities with other local dogs.

#8. Do more when together

If your pup is to be separated from its humans for approximately eight hours of the day, the harsh reality is that you only get a few hours together during the week. So, you must go the extra mile to make the most of the evenings and, more importantly, the weekends.

As well as your morning walk, an evening walk can be a great idea in the week. Do it after your evening meal to unlock benefits for your health too. Meanwhile, simple ideas like watching TV in the lounge with your pup rather than locked in the bedroom will aid the cause.

When supported by days out or games on the weekend, your dog will remain far happier. And this will make the back to school transition a far smaller issue.