Back-to-School Blues
Helping Your Dog Adjust
Back-to-school season doesn’t just shake up your calendar, it rocks your dog’s world too. The whole routine of the household changes overnight. Kids go from being home all day to suddenly disappearing into classrooms, running off to practice, or rushing through dinner before homework.
While the household gets into this new routine, your dog might be feeling a little… forgotten. Some dogs roll with it just fine. Others? They get lonely, stressed, or even start acting out. I’ve heard so many stories from my years as a pet shop owner so I’m here to help you navigate through the change in routine.
Why Dogs Feel the Change
When kids are home in the summer, the dog gets extra attention, extra play, and maybe even extra snacks. Then September hits, and boom… the house is quieter, busier, and more stressful all at once.
Some dogs pick up on that stress. Others just feel pushed down a notch on the family priority list. They can get anxious, sad, or start misbehaving because they don’t know what to do with all that extra energy.
My childhood dog, Princess, knew exactly what time I got home from school. She would start watching out the window around 3 p.m., waiting for me. Dogs are so much smarter than many of us give them credit for! Dogs thrive on routines, and they definitely notice when those routines change.
Keep Them Busy: The P.E.T. Method
Shout-out to Vinnie, a dog trainer, who gave me advice that I still live by: P.E.T. — Play, Exercise, Train.
I try to do this with my dogs a few times a day. It doesn’t have to be complicated:
Play for 10 minutes (tug, fetch, even a quick game inside)
Exercise for 10 minutes (a walk, a romp in the yard, or even treadmill work)
Train for 10 minutes (basic commands, fun tricks, or working on leash manners)
That’s 30 minutes, three times a day. And trust me, as I like to say, a tired dog is a good dog.
Beagle playing, exercising, training
Include the Kids
Back-to-school season is the perfect time to get your kids more involved with the dog. Have them walk the pup to the bus stop, or train them to recognize when it’s “dog time” after school. Dogs can actually learn to anticipate when their humans will return, which makes the reunion even sweeter.
When it’s not possible to involve your dog in activities, consider enrolling them in an obedience or enrichment class. Not only does it help your dog burn off energy, but it also teaches your kids how to better understand dog behavior.
Enrichment Toys to the Rescue
When life gets hectic, enrichment toys are a lifesaver. They keep dogs busy, engaged, and mentally satisfied. Some of my favorites:
West Paw – Their Zogoflex line is amazing. Stuff them with food, freeze them, and you’ve got a doggy puzzle that doubles as stress relief. Bonus: they’re made in Montana.
SodaPup – A smaller company with awesome enrichment options like lick mats. Perfect for dogs that need to self-soothe or just burn off a little boredom.
Enrichment toys aren’t a replacement for play and training, but they’re a great way to keep your pup occupied when the household is buzzing with school-year chaos.
Final Thoughts
Back-to-school season is stressful for everyone, including your dog. The trick is to help them feel included, keep them active, and make sure they’re still a priority in the family routine. Remember P.E.T.—Play, Exercise, Train (thanks again for the pro tip, Vinny). Throw in some enrichment toys when life gets crazy.
Your dog will thank you, your kids will learn responsibility, and you’ll avoid a lot of unwanted behaviors along the way.