Back to Routine: How Changes at Home Can Affect Your Dog

After weeks of summer holidays, longer days, family outings and having more people around the house, September can bring a surprisingly big change for our dogs.

Children go back to school, adults return to work, walk times change and suddenly a dog who has become used to plenty of company may be spending more time alone.

Most dogs will adjust to a new routine, but some can find the transition difficult. Changes in routine can affect not only your dog's behaviour and mood, but their digestion too.

The good news is that you can start preparing your dog before the summer holidays end, helping to make the move back to normal life much easier.

Do dogs notice changes in routine?

Absolutely. Dogs are creatures of habit and quickly learn the patterns of everyday family life.

They notice when you normally get up, when breakfast arrives, when the lead comes out and when everyone leaves or returns home.

During the summer holidays, those familiar patterns can change. There may be children at home all day, visitors coming and going, holidays, days out and more frequent walks or adventures.

For many dogs, that's great fun. The difficulty can come when everything suddenly changes again.

Can going back to school make dogs anxious?

Some dogs cope perfectly well when children return to school and their owners go back to work. Others may find the sudden reduction in company unsettling, particularly if they have spent several weeks rarely being left alone.

This doesn't necessarily mean your dog has separation anxiety. They may simply need some time and support to adjust to their new routine.

Signs that your dog may be finding the change difficult can include:

• Following family members around more than usual
• Whining or barking when left
• Pacing or appearing unable to settle
• Becoming more clingy
• Chewing or destructive behaviour
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in stools or digestive upset
• Toileting indoors
• Excessive licking or other repetitive behaviours

Every dog is different, so the important thing is to notice changes from what's normal for your dog.

Start changing your dog's routine before September

If you know your household routine is about to change, don't wait until the first day of school or work to introduce it.

Start gradually returning to your normal schedule during the final week or two of the holidays. Move breakfast and walk times closer to their usual times and encourage your dog to spend short periods relaxing independently, even when you're at home.

If your dog has barely been left alone during the summer, gradually reintroduce short periods of alone time rather than suddenly leaving them for several hours.

Small, gradual changes can make the new routine feel much less dramatic.

Keep departures calm and predictable

It can be tempting to make a big fuss of your dog before leaving the house, particularly if you know they don't like being left.

However, keeping departures and arrivals calm can help make being left alone feel like a normal part of everyday life rather than a major event.

Creating a predictable routine can also help. A walk, breakfast and some quiet time before you leave can give your dog a familiar pattern to follow.

Give your dog something positive to do

Keeping your dog's brain occupied can help them settle when the house becomes quieter.

Food puzzles, safe chews, snuffle mats and enrichment toys can all provide mental stimulation. You can also scatter part of your dog's breakfast for them to find or use food-based enrichment before you leave.

Remember that mental exercise can be tiring too. Your dog doesn't necessarily need an enormous walk every morning – sniffing, exploring and problem-solving can all help them feel satisfied and ready to rest.

What does stress have to do with your dog's digestion?

We often think of stress as purely behavioural, but the gut and brain are closely connected.

You may have noticed this yourself if your dog develops loose stools before an exciting event, during travel or when their normal routine changes.

Stress can influence digestive function, while the digestive system also plays an important role in overall wellbeing. This is why supporting digestive health can be useful when your dog is going through periods of change.

Maintaining a consistent diet, regular mealtimes and good digestive support can all help keep your dog's routine as stable as possible while other things around them are changing.

<

Natural support for nervous or unsettled dogs

Alongside routine, exercise and enrichment, nutritional support can form part of a wider approach for dogs who are prone to nervousness or find change difficult.

Proflax calming supplements are designed to support calm, balanced behaviour naturally, with options for both everyday and situational support.

Calming support can be particularly useful around changes in routine, being left alone, travel, unfamiliar situations, visitors and other periods when life feels a little different.

Explore our natural calming supplements for dogs to find the right support for your dog.

Make time for your dog when life gets busy again

September can feel hectic for everyone. School runs return, work becomes busier and evenings start getting shorter.

Try to keep some predictable one-to-one time with your dog amongst all that change. It doesn't need to be complicated – an evening walk, ten minutes of training, a game in the garden or simply spending some quiet time together can help maintain that sense of routine.

What if my dog really struggles with being left alone?

There is an important difference between a dog who needs a little help adjusting to a new routine and a dog experiencing significant distress when left alone.

If your dog is extremely distressed, persistently barking or howling, attempting to escape, injuring themselves, destroying doors or furniture, or regularly toileting when left, it's important to seek professional advice.

Your vet can help rule out medical causes and advise you on the most appropriate next steps. A qualified dog behaviour professional can also help you develop an individual plan for your dog.

A little preparation can make September much easier

The end of the summer holidays doesn't need to be a shock to your dog's system.

Start adjusting their routine gradually, introduce short periods of alone time, provide plenty of appropriate enrichment and keep walks, meals and rest times as predictable as possible.

And remember that behaviour and physical wellbeing aren't completely separate. Supporting your dog's digestion, nutrition and ability to remain calm can all contribute to helping them cope with periods of change.

With a little preparation now, you can help your dog head into autumn feeling settled, supported and ready for their new routine.