Back to School!

By: Bridget Monrad, R.N. | Jul 16, 2016

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Summer is coming to an end, and school is starting back up.  While your furry family members may not be off to dog obedience class every day, their schedules will surely change.  Over the summer your cat or dog most likely got used to having more people at home, more attention, and maybe they even got to join you on some fun summer adventures!  As your kids go back to school and you return to your normal work routine, this can be a big change for your pets. It is important to continue giving them love and attention and there are some other tricks you can use to help them readjust to the new daily norm.

• Advanced Preparation – You know your schedule is about to change. Instead of having the change happen overnight, slowly ease into the transition. Begin spending less time with your pets, or not taking them out as often as you did during the summer. This is very similar to getting your pet accustomed to their crate before travel; you want to prepare in advance! This will make the change not as drastic and your pets will feel more at ease.
• Provide Entertainment – Stock up on treats and other toys that will keep your pets entertained. Try a Kong, or similar toy, which encourages your dogs to be active and use their brain power to retrieve the snacks. The more difficult the challenge, the longer the entertainment. Cats like simple cat toys, cat nip or an indoor ‘cat tree’.
• Swap Family Time with Park Time - While your schedule may be about to change, it is still important to continue giving your canines time outside and exercise. It is recommended to take your dog to doggy day camps or the dog park, instead of having time alone with the family. This will help train your furry family member to be on their own and not rely on you for constant affection.
• Start Early – Your day may become busier resulting in less time to spend with your pets. Try getting up earlier in the morning to spend quality time with them and making sure your dog gets all the exercise they need. This will allow your four legged family members to have quality time with their family and can also enhance their behavior while you’re away. It’s typically dogs with built-up energy, who do not get out enough, that end up causing mischief while you are at school or work!
• Give your pet a “place” – Make sure your pet has a spot of their own while you are away. Give them a nice, comfy, bed, lots of toys, and some treats. Spend time teaching them to hang out in their own little slice of heaven while you are away! This will make sure they know they have a safe spot to curl up in, and can also help prevent them from going places they are not supposed to be. A dog travel crate with a big blanket & pad is a place many dogs love to hang out during the daytime or at bedtime.
• Keep having your pets and kids spend time together – The biggest change for your pets will most likely be that they do not have smaller humans around as much. Make sure your fur babies and human kids still get to spend quality time together. The kids can help with the pets in the morning, such as feeding them and taking them out, or joining in for evening walks. Training sessions together can benefit everyone; your kids will learn more about interacting with pets and proper care, while your pets can learn some good behavior and new tricks. It can be fun for the entire family!

Have more questions? Contact us at www.HappyTailsTravel.com and we’d be glad to provide more tips and tricks!