Back-to-School: What about Fido?

Fall is just around the corner, and with it comes the anticipation of students, the (dare we say it?) excitement of parents, and the myriad of other expectations. But did you know that your dog is feeling the change as well?

During the Summer there is a bustle of activities and the dog tends to be part of those memories you’ve made. When Fall hits there may be excitement for the humans, but there is typically the opposite for dogs. During the summer your furry friend had constant companions, but when everyone heads off to school, your dog will likely start feeling lonely and bored. We call this the “Back-to-School Blues.”

Be Aware of Your Dog’s Feelings

Depression and anxiety are no strangers to dogs during the school year. Any veterinarian will tell you that dogs suffer from depression just as humans do. Keep an eye out for symptoms such as listlessness, loss of appetite, loss of desire to play, hiding, and lack of energy. These are good signs that your dog isn’t feeling like his perky summer self.

Sad dog at home

Separation anxiety is also a big one for dogs. The symptoms are the opposite of what you would see with depression. Often you’ll find your dog:

  • Barking and whining excessively
  • Hoarding the belongings of your kids
  • Frantically clawing to be anywhere BUT in the house or yard
  • Going to the bathroom in the house or being unable to control their bowels
  • Destructive chewing, Etc.

You’ll find that if a dog is depressed when the kids get home, he’ll just stay in bed; whereas when a dog has separation anxiety, he is more likely to ecstatically greet someone whenever they get home. This can be overwhelming for your family as well as your dog.

If your dog begins to display any of these symptoms, you can bet that it’s probably because of the recent schedule change. As a dog owner, don’t be discouraged. This is all a sign that your dog loves you and misses you, and there are ways to solve this!

Alleviating Your Dog’s Back-to-School Blues

There are a few options you have when trying to overcome your dog’s back-to-school blues.

Setting a ScheduleEstablish a New Schedule

If your dog has never experienced the back-to-school schedule because he’s either too young or a recent addition to the family, you’ll find this process might take some time. If he knows the drill, then he will likely settle into the routine faster. Even if you don’t have a dog that struggles with depression or separation anxiety, it’s still a good practice to set a routine that ensures your dog is getting the attention and exercise he needs.

  1. Morning Exercise: Instead of just letting your dog out in the yard in the morning, take 15 minutes or so to take the dog for a walk around the block or in the yard. This helps him let out a bit of energy right off the bat and shows him you care.Couple jogging with dog
  2. Departure Routine: Make sure to give your dog his most substantial meal before his longest time alone. This will likely cause him to nap, which will take up some of the time he’s left alone. When you head out the door, don’t have an emotional goodbye. This stresses your dog out more than anything. If he’s acting distressed by you leaving, give him something to chew on that will occupy him. Some people even leave a radio or TV on so that there is background noise to distract the dog from the fact that the house is empty.
  3. Mid-day Visit: If possible, have a family member pop in the house mid-day to let the dog out for a little exercise and to show him he wasn’t forgotten. If no one is able to get to the house, consider doggy daycare a couple of days a week, or asking a friend to show your dog some love and exercise.
  4. Arrival Routine: When you get home at the end of the day, don’t make a big deal out of coming home. If you act like you were gone for a long time, then your dog will become aware that you were gone for a long time and act out. The best routine is to walk through the door, do a couple of things in the house, then slowly make your way to the dog to let him out. If you act casual, he’ll catch on.
  5. Evening Exercise: When you get home from work, your dog is probably not at the forefront of your mind. You’re probably feeling tired, need to make dinner, or just want to sit down to watch TV. But remember that your dog has been waiting all day to spend time with you. When you get home, feed your dog. After that, make sure to take him out for some play time. Making this a routine will help tremendously with staving off depression and separation anxiety. Also, make sure to encourage his independence when you’re home. This makes the transition to you leaving much easier.

Dog playing Frisbee

Doggie Daycare (Day Camp)

Dogs Playing TogetherIf you know that no one can be home for more than 6 hours, you might want to consider doggie daycare. If you happen to have a high energy dog, this is a definite need to keep your dog sane. At day camp, dogs have the opportunity to play with humans and other dogs through play sessions throughout the day.

This helps promote exercise and socialization opportunities. By bringing your dog to daycare, you relieve yourself of the guilt you might have had during the day if you just can’t make it home. An extra bonus if you choose to bring your dog to daycare at Intermountain Pet, is that a vet technician will make sure to check on your pet every day to ensure he’s doing well.

Behavior Consultations

Intermountain Pet Hospital has an array of steps that can help ameliorate the issues. However, each case is different and may take a different treatment mode specific to your canine.

Video dog At HomeOn a side note, some dogs can suffer from high anxiety or depression when they are left home alone. They may not chew things up but will have a lot of anxiety. One way to tell if there is a problem is to set up a video capture of the pet while they are home alone. This video will help your veterinarian with a diagnosis and treatment direction.

The back-to-school blues can be a thing of the past. Our Doggie Day Camp is just what the doctor ordered. Request a reservation online or over the phone, we are here to help.

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