A Return to Routines 🐶

Hello, and welcome back.

If you’re here in the UK, tomorrow is the last of a special run of long weekends. You might be feeling sad that they’re all over and we’re back to full working weeks… or you may actually be feeling slightly relieved.

Changes in routine can be tiring - for both us and our dogs! Planning, preparation, and partaking in the excitement of extra meet-ups with family and friends might have left you all a little jaded.

For our dogs, especially our routine-loving dogs, it’s time to get them back on track.

John Bradshaw of the University of Bristol says that if dogs “consistently don't know what's going to happen next, they can get stressed, aggressive or fearful."

It’s understandable that dogs who are anxious or fearful might need to feel they have more control in their lives. Going back to a pretty consistent routine may help them achieve a more relaxed state as they know what’s expected each day. Then, once you’ve reached a calm emotional level with your dog, you can slowly start to make small deviations from the normal routine - by adding in something they enjoy at a different time to usual.

Our dogs are individuals. Some dogs will be able to cope with a more flexible routine and still sleep comfortably, eat reliably, and generally feel relaxed. Whereas some dogs strive on knowing what the next event of the day is - and so this is where our small predictable cues can give them comfort. 

What gives your dog comfort on a daily basis do you think?

Until next time, enjoy this extra time with your dog.

Caroline