What Type of Daily Routine Is Best for My Dog?

For our pups, a structured routine can really help their overall emotional and physical health. Giving your dog a routine is important, but we understand it can be hard to know where to start or why a schedule is key for our canine companions. In this blog, we’re discussing everything you need to know about dog schedules to help you create a routine that suits both you and your furry friend.

Do dogs need a routine?

Yes, dogs do need a routine. They thrive on predictability, and giving your dog a routine helps them predict when activities may happen.

The ability to know what will happen at certain times of the day is a great way to help dogs feel secure, as they don’t have to worry about what might be coming next. In fact, dogs that are secure in their environment and routine find it easier to navigate any changes, unexpected events, or exposure to new things. 

If your pup knows when their usual playtime and naptime are, this allows them to understand your reactions to when they are excited and when it’s time to settle. If not provided with a schedule, your dog may find it hard to relax and can become frustrated if nothing happens when they are anticipating something. For example, you may notice your pup watching your every move and following you around at their usual mealtime, waiting for you to feed them!

Do dogs like routines? 

Dogs love having a routine—not only does it allow them to know when different activities are happening, but it also helps them to know when you’re going to be around.

A key part of creating a dog’s routine is to make sure you’re spending enough quality time together so they can look forward to having attention from you. Being consistent with how you interact with your dog and the way you handle them helps them to understand what to expect from you, which builds trust.

Although dogs like having a routine in place, try not to make your dog’s schedule too rigid. We all know life can be unpredictable, and sometimes having flexibility with timings is important to allow room for small changes. If the routine is too rigid, then any changes can become stressful for your dog.

Try and maintain the structure and consistency of your routine as best as possible, but don’t forget to introduce new things, such as new toys or different walking routes. This will slowly help your dog get used to having some variation in their routine and ease their nervousness.

What is a good daily routine for a dog?

Every dog’s routine is different, so there is no one size fits all answer. However, as you learn more about your dog, you will begin to see what they like and what they don’t like having as part of their schedule.

Before you figure out the small details of your dog’s schedule, you can start simple. In a day, all dogs need to have exercise, food, water, a safe place to rest, toilet breaks, and time with their family. This can include training, playing, and spending time together. Giving your dog a range of different activities to do during the day ensures that they are getting enough physical and mental exercise to keep them happy and healthy.

It’s important to make sure that your dog’s needs are being met with their daily routine. Here are a few areas that need to be included:

• Water—Your dog should have access to water throughout the day, so make sure their bowl is in a place they can reach easily.
• Toilet—They should also have the opportunity to go to the toilet at least 3 to 4 times a day. As well as reading their body language to tell when they need to toilet, it’s good to incorporate toilet times in your dog’s schedule, such as the first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
• Walks—A regular walk is important for your pup’s overall health. It provides them with daily exercise, mental stimulation, and the opportunity to socialize with other dogs.
• Sleep—Sleep is just as important to dogs as it is to humans. Younger and older dogs will need more sleep than adult dogs, but it’s still important to make sure there are adequate opportunities for them to get enough quality sleep.
• Meals—The number of mealtimes can vary depending on the dog, so confirm with your vet if you need any advice. However, with all dogs, it’s good to try and keep mealtimes consistent and make sure your dog is being fed in an area that they feel safe in, so they can eat their meal without worrying.

How to develop a new routine? 

When developing a new routine for your dog, try to make any changes gradually. This will better help your dog adapt and limit the possibility of your dog feeling stressed or nervous. For example, if their walk time needs to move, gradually change it by a few minutes at a time, so your dog can accommodate the change.

While going through the process of developing a new routine with your dog, you can use the ADAPTIL Calm diffuser or Calm collar to help them relax and make the changes easier to adjust to. If your dog isn’t used to a daily routine, be sure to create one that works for you and your family. There are so many variables that can make up a good routine for a dog, but here are some ideas to consider:

• Morning—Try to keep your dog’s morning routine similar, whether you’re working in the office, from home, or it’s the weekend. An example of a morning routine is getting up, letting your dog go out to the toilet, going on a walk to start the day, and then feeding them a meal. When you think about it, our dog’s schedule isn’t much different to ours!
• Lunchtime—You can treat lunchtime as a bit of a break. If you’re at home, have some fresh air, and if you’re not, then it’s a good time for a friend, dog sitter, or dog walker to spend time with your dog so they can exercise and go to the toilet.
• Afternoon—Providing a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat in the afternoon can be a good way to give your dog some entertainment if they are home alone. If you have been out at work and you return in the afternoon, your dog will appreciate a toilet break when you get home.
• Evening—This is the perfect time to spend some quality time together, whether with exercise, training, or playing with your dog’s favourite toys. In the evening, it’s important to plan their mealtime so they are eating at least a couple of hours before they sleep. Make sure you give them enough time so they can wind down with you, ready to relax!

If you’d like more information or tips about dog routines, check out the rest of our blogs online! You can also stay up to date with all the latest news and product info by signing up to our newsletter.