Back to School Blues

It's the time of the year: the kids are going back to school.  But how does this affect the family dog?  After a summer filled with the children home every day to play with, then suddenly he's alone most of the day. 

This can lead to boredom and separation issues, which can cause a normally well-behaved dog to behave badly -- chewing on furniture, barking excessively or soiling in the house.

TIPS TO HELP YOUR DOG ADJUST TO THE NEW SCHEDULE:

• Pump up the exercise. Schedule time each day for a long walk, an active round of fetch, or a visit to the dog park where he can romp with canine friends. Leaving your dog alone out in the yard does not count as exercise.

• Add mental stimulation. To reduce boredom while the family is out, fill a treat-dispensing ball with your dog’s breakfast kibble; she’ll have to work to retrieve her meal – and will be so busy that she won’t notice you are gone.

• Send him to doggy daycare. Avoid long lonely days at home with doggy daycare, where dogs play together in a safe, supervised environment that is helpful for dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds. Just one or two days a week is beneficial for most pets.

• Try training. Working on a new trick each day will engage a dog intellectually and physically. A training class will not only refresh skills, but also give dogs time to socialize with canine friends.

Reference:
http://www.khou.com/community/blogs/animal-attraction/Animal-Attraction--165953176.html
http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/