Why Dogs Misbehave When Kids Go Back to School

Back-to-school time can be really tough on the family dog.  After having the children to play with all summer, he’s suddenly alone most of the day and that can give him a case of the "back-to-school blues".
"Dogs get accustomed to the summer routine, and the change to school-year schedule can be difficult for them," explains Michelle Longo, professional dog trainer with Best Friends Pet Care.  "Not only are the kids gone all day, but when they come home, they’re too busy with homework and other activities to spend time with the family pet."
This can cause a normally well-behaved pet to display undesirable behaviors, like chewing on furniture or barking excessively.  To combat your canine’s back-to-school blues, Longo suggests the following:
1.   Pump up the exercise.  A well-exercised dog is a happy dog.  Set aside at least 30 minutes each day for a long walk, active round of fetch, or romping with canine friends at the dog park.  "Leaving your dog alone out in the yard does NOT count as exercise!" she adds.
2.   Take a training refresher.  Dogs’ obedience skills can lapse during unstructured summer months.  Now is the time to reintroduce basic training commands or to work on a new trick.   A group training class is a great way to do this, while providing socialization too.
3.   Send him to camp.   An alternative to lonely days at home is doggy day camp, where dogs play together in a safe, supervised environment.  Attending just two or three days a week is enough to keep most dogs content.  "It’s especially beneficial for young and high-energy dogs," says Longo.
Best Friends offers boarding, grooming, training and daycare in Avon, Bethany, Norwalk and Rocky Hill.  For more information, visit www.bestfriendspetcare.com.