Human beings love spontaneous activities, so you will scream -in a good way- at a surprise. For dogs, it’s a little different. A dog’s life revolves around four basic needs; food, sleep, exercise or play, and potty training. Creating a routine helps your dog know what is expected of him and takes stress out of your way. It can help them avoid destructive behaviors, anxiety, and keep them generally happy.
Since your dog will appreciate a form of stable pattern of activity, by establishing a routine, there is a catch. The requirements for different breeds may differ slightly. Also, you need to take into account the age of your dog. When you have two dogs of different ages, this can be a bit complex, especially since you don’t want one to feel like the other is getting more attention.
benefits of routines
For a newly adopted furry friend, having a routine helps them train and adjust to their new home. By all means, you want to avoid indoor potty accidents. So having a feeding routine helps you anticipate when they need to go potty. This can be more difficult to predict if your eating pattern is irregular.
Another thing you want to avoid with your faithful pooch is excessive weight gain and the health risks that come with it. Without a feeding routine, you may be tempted to leave out food for the dog several times a day, which will ultimately lead to weight gain. In general, if you want to train your dog to adapt to a particular behavior or to understand hand signals or verbal instructions, consistency is the key.
However, it’s not just your dog that benefits from a routine, you too. A routine helps you better understand your dog. If your dog has a health problem, he will discover it faster, especially during his walking session. It helps you plan your own routine and frees you from pet-related anxieties.
The challenge of the daily routine
As your dog grows, there is a need to adjust the daily routine to the needs of his new age. Knowing when and how to make this transition can be challenging. It can also be a source of stress for you and your faithful companion. The second biggest challenge with the strict routine is keeping up. Imagine a scenario where you get sick and can’t walk your dog or are too busy with work. This can cause your dog anxiety.
Benefits of the daily structure
In simple terms, the daily structure is a flexible routine. Having a flexible routine from the start makes it easier for your dog to adapt to changes when the need arises. Let’s say instead of forcing your dog to wake up at 7am and eat at 7:30am, you can have a schedule that stipulates that the dog will eat in the morning but with no time limit.
Effective way to make changes to a routine.
The transition from a strict routine to a daily structure is a challenging activity that every dog lover may have to deal with. However, if done right, it is very rewarding. One thing you should never do is change the entire routine at once. Instead, make small changes to different parts of the routine while paying attention to signs of stress.
For example, you can start by breaking free from strict eating schedules to flexible schedules. Once your dog has gotten used to the new flexible eating schedule, he can start planning changes to his bedtime or exercise. Speaking of exercise, one way to ensure a safe dog walking session is to use a leash attached to a harness with the dog’s name on it with a personalized tag.
Final words to all dog lovers.
Make sure your routine is realistic. For a routine to be effective, you and your dog’s needs must be taken into account. While a routine is good for dog training, you shouldn’t put your dog at a disadvantage when the routine is broken. Therefore, having a flexible routine works best to help you achieve your goal and helps your dog build resilience. Feel free to scroll through our blog for more informative articles.
