Back to School, Back to Work: Helping Your Dog Adjust to a New Fall Routine

September has a way of changing everything overnight.

Summer vacations wrap up, kids head back to school, people return to the office more full time, and suddenly the house that was busy all summer is quiet for a dog much of the day.

For us, it might feel like getting back to normal. For our dogs, it can be a pretty significant change.

Dogs thrive on routine, and they quickly get used to having us around. If your dog spent the summer enjoying later mornings, family outings, cottage weekends, extra walks or simply having people home more often, the transition into a fall schedule can take some adjustment.

Here are a few ways to make the transition easier.

Start Getting Back Into a Routine

Dogs don't understand the calendar, but they are incredibly good at learning patterns.

Try to make meals, bathroom breaks, walks and bedtime reasonably predictable again. If your schedule is changing significantly, introducing the new routine gradually can help rather than changing everything at once.

If your dog will suddenly be alone during the day, practice leaving for shorter periods when you can. This is especially helpful for puppies and dogs that have spent most of the summer with someone home.

Don't Underestimate the Morning Walk

When mornings get busy, the dog's walk can easily become the thing we rush or want to skip altogether. But for many dogs, especially younger and higher-energy dogs, that morning walk can be one of the most important walks of the day.

After sleeping all night, your dog has energy to burn. Taking them out for a good-paced morning walk gives them an opportunity to move their body, get some of that initial energy out and start the day before they're expected to settle at home for several hours.

There is absolutely a place for slower sniff walks too, in fact, they're a fantastic form of mental enrichment and can be a great choice for another walk later in the day. But in the morning, particularly with a young, energetic dog, I love a walk with a little more purpose and movement.

Plus you get some exercise, fresh air and daylight, and you've already added some steps before the workday even begins, and you get a little uninterrupted time with your dog. It's one of those routines that can be just as good for us as it is for them.

Think of it as setting both of you up for the day ahead.

For puppies and younger, higher-energy dogs in particular, a quick trip outside to pee before you leave for work simply may not be enough.

Don't Forget the Midday Walk

One of the biggest changes we see in September is dogs going from having activity throughout the day to suddenly spending a long stretch of time alone.

A midday dog walk isn't just about giving your dog a bathroom break.

It's an opportunity to get outside, sniff, move their body, interact with someone and break up what can otherwise be a very long day.

For many dogs, having that consistent midday activity also means they're much more settled when their family gets home.

If you're returning to the office this fall, hiring a Professional Dog Walker  can be one of the easiest ways to keep some consistency in your dog's routine.

Watch for Signs Your Dog Is Having Trouble Adjusting

Some dogs roll with schedule changes without missing a beat. Others have a harder time.

You might notice:

• Increased barking or whining

• Destructive behaviour

• Accidents in the house

• Restlessness or pacing

• Following you everywhere when you are home

• Difficulty settling

• Changes in eating habits

• Increased excitement or frustration when you return home

  
  

A little adjustment period isn't necessarily unusual. But if the behaviour is intense, persistent or your dog seems genuinely distressed when left alone, it's worth speaking with an experienced Dog Trainer rather than assuming they'll simply "get used to it."

Keep Your Hellos and Goodbyes Low-Key

It can be tempting to make a huge production out of leaving and saying big good byes but did you that is not helpful for your dogs emotional state?

Dogs are pack animals and to them they believe they should always be with their pack.

Try to keep departures calm and matter-of-fact.

The same goes for coming home. You can absolutely be happy to see your dog (we are too!), but encouraging a few moments of calm before the big reunion can help prevent arrivals and departures from becoming the most emotionally charged moments of their day.

Fall Can Actually Be a Great Reset

The good news is that September is a perfect opportunity to establish some new habits.

Maybe that's getting back to regular morning walks. Maybe it's introducing a midday dog walker on office days. Maybe it's finally working on the leash pulling you've been meaning to address all summer.

Whatever your routine looks like, consistency is one of the best things you can give your dog.

And if your fall schedule means your dog is going to be spending more time home alone, planning ahead can make the transition much easier for everyone.

At We Wag Toronto, our professional dog walkers provide regular weekday walks throughout Toronto's core and east end neighborhoods, giving dogs exercise, enrichment and some company while their humans are at work. Because going back to work shouldn't mean your dog's favourite part of the day disappears.