It’s mid-August and your dog has had you to themselves all summer. Then the bell rings and suddenly you’re gone nine hours a day. Your dog doesn’t understand September. They only know the routine changed, and for dogs, routine is everything.

The weeks before school starts are the best time to shift your dog’s schedule so they’re not alone and anxious when you’re not.

Start the new schedule now, not on day one

Begin waking up at your fall time this week, even if you’re on vacation. Take your dog’s walk at the time you’ll actually walk them once school begins. Eat breakfast when you’ll eat it then. Your dog’s body clock shifts with yours, and a gradual change beats a sudden shock. Give yourself and your dog at least two weeks to adjust before the first day of classes.

Alone time builds confidence

If your dog has spent the whole summer with you, they’re not used to being by themselves. Start leaving them alone for stretches during August: first for 30 minutes, then an hour, then two. Leave the house. Don’t sneak out, and don’t make a fuss when you leave or return. Come back before they panic. Repetition teaches dogs that you leave and you come back. It’s boring, not scary.

Some dogs still struggle, even with practice. That’s where drop-in visits help. One of our sitters can visit midday to break up the loneliness, give a bathroom break, and reset your dog’s day. A 30-minute or hour visit could do the trick. Many Ottawa dog owners build this into their back-to-school budget the same way they buy supplies.

“We felt fully confident leaving our dog and house in her care. Always kept up to date with plenty of great photos of our pup having an overall great time.” — GB

Keep the evening routine solid

Whatever time you come home, make the first 15 minutes low-key. Don’t turn your arrival into a three-ring circus that your dog learns to expect and demand. Take them out, let them settle, then engage. A tired dog is a settled dog, so a longer walk or play session in the evening helps. Establish the same dinner and bedtime each night, including weekends. Consistency is what dogs understand.