More….Back to School
When children return to school, the stress on every family member can be huge–including the family dog. This abrupt change in routine can seriously affect our canine companions, who are creatures of habit. But with a little understanding and preparation before the first day of class, families can avoid many of the back-to-school behavior problems their dogs might exhibit.
Part III: Shelter
Dogs need to have their own “home.” Just as we feel more at ease in our home, so do dogs. If your dog doesn’t have a place of his own, create one for him.
Crate: Dogs love crates. Dogs are descended from animals that live in dens, and a crate has the same characteristics of a den. If your dog hasn’t been crate trained, don’t start training him the day the kids leave for school. That’s too late and can actually add to his stress. Although your dog will soon enjoy his new den, do not leave him in his crate for extended periods of time. If you find you will be away longer than 10-12 hours for a dog and 6-8 hours for a puppy, ask a friend or hire pet sitter to come by to let him out to toilet.
Dog house: If your dog will be kept outside while you are gone, be sure he has shelter in which to get out of the weather. Dogs are more relaxed when they are covered and in familiar surroundings. Place the dog house next to the house so that he feels like it is an extension of the larger “den.” Provide a blanket or some other soft, inviting bedding.
Laundry room: If your dog will be inside all day and you are concerned about him toileting in the house, enclose him in an area that is rather small (this inhibits the tendency to toilet) and has a floor of vinyl or tile in case he makes a mistake.
Part IV: Unusual Behavior
When dogs are stressed, they can sometimes exhibit unusual behaviors, such as jumping up or even biting. It is not uncommon for children to come home from school and be greeted by the dog in an unnecessarily rough manner, knocking a child to the floor. After being left alone all day, the dog has pent-up energy–and when he sees the kids, his excitement might cause him to overreact.
Train the kids: Parents need to train their children to avoid immediately entering the dog’s area as soon as they get home. Kids should ignore the pet for 5-10 minutes to allow him to settle down. With young children, it is always best to have a parent present to reduce the chance of a problem. Once your dog learns the routine, he will relax.
Train your dog: It is amazing how quickly dogs learn what is acceptable and what is not. Dogs have a language of their own and once we understand it, we can easily control them by “speaking their language.” Bark Busters specializes in using dogs’ natural, instinctive communication methods as the way to train them. It’s simple, and it works.
By providing training and the right combination of food, shelter and entertainment, you can help your canine companions adapt to a new schedule.
h/tip Wag Reflex
[...] to school Posted on September 3, 2009 by thedawg There was a BACK TO SCHOOL post way back a year ago, which is relevant [...]