Back-to-School Tips for Families with Dogs, Part III
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.
--Carol Wood, Bark Busters
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Carol Wood is a dog behavioral therapist and trainer for Bark Busters Home Dog Training and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
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