Routines, Structure & the Importance of Consistency

I realize that I am always talking about the importance of schedules, routines, and structure when it comes to raising happy, well-adjusted dogs. Clearly there is data that supports this: Dogs truly thrive on structure, experiencing less stress and anxiety, and feeling more secure, when their worlds are predictable.  Sudden changes to their routine can result in anxiety that leads to inappropriate behavior and a decreased ability to learn.  Just like regular feeding times promote good digestion, regularly scheduled exercise results in a more physically fit dog and likely one who is less destructive than a sedentary counterpart. In addition to physical exercise, training your dog consistently using positive reinforcement methodologies results in dogs with lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol. When we have a routine, and we share that routine with our dogs, we are enhancing our bond with them by making ourselves appear more trustworthy and reliable. 

All that being said, what are you supposed to do when that schedule changes, or the routine gets disrupted?  It can happen to any of us and being prepared in advance for those schedule upheavals (when possible) makes all the difference to our dogs, particularly if we can introduce those changes gradually.  As the days get shorter, and it's dark in the morning when you awaken and dark by the time you get home from work, you may find yourself having to adjust the time you walk your dog, the route you take, or even move from two walks every day to just one. In this example, you'd want to choose just one thing to change, perhaps just changing the time of day you walk your dog.  You can do that change as gradually as possible, adjusting by a handful of minutes each day over the course of a couple of weeks to switch them over with less upheaval.  Or, if you are changing where you walk your dog, take them to that new place AFTER you've already completed their regular walk so it's a bonus for them.  Gradually begin shortening the usual walk and extending the time of the walk in the new location. I think the hardest change for dogs is going from multiple walks a day down to just one.  If your schedule has changed, making it hard to walk them twice a day, for example, maybe it's worthwhile to hire a dog walker, or enlist the help of a trustworthy preteen or teen in your neighborhood to do the second walk for you.  If it's the fact that the holidays are creeping up on you and your stressed about getting everything done AND walking the dog twice a day is becoming harder to do, then, again, think about getting some help.  I'll also encourage you to remember that those scheduled walks and that exercise aren't just good stress relievers for your dog, they are good for you too.  Maybe carving out that time with your dog is more important than you think!

If you need to change your dog's food, you'll want to make that change gradual so as not to upset their stomachs unnecessarily.  By combining the old food with the new, you can help their bodies to better accept the new diet.  And if you are changing feeding time, definitely do that as gradually as possible as big changes in time are definitely noticed by our canine companions who have very efficient internal clocks. Just remember that if multiple changes need to be made, for example changes to their exercise schedule AND meal time changes, tackle those changes one at a time.  Sweeping changes to everything in their lives will create undue stress for you both.  Remember, too, that mental exercise is just as critical as physical exercise to your dog's well-being.  Break out the snuffle mats and food puzzles to help with those transitions and adjustments you are making to your dog's routine, as well as put some focus every day on fun training exercises like tricks and games.

Let's play devil's advocate for a minute. I think that it's also helpful to stop thinking of changing your dog's routine as strictly something bad and disruptive, but instead think of it as an opportunity to teach your dog to be a bit more adaptable and resilient. Something as simple as not always feeding your dog in a bowl, but switching it up and using a slow feeder for some meals, a puzzle, or a snuffle mat means that your dog is learning to see change not as something to dread and stress about but as something to look forward to for the change of pace and mental challenge. 

Something as simple as this small change at feeding time can result in a dog who is better able to cope with the changes in routines and schedules that invariably happen when you live with humans.  We inadvertently oversleep or choose to sleep in, we change jobs, we move, we acquire spouses, and have kids.  All of these life events upset the routine and structure we've established for our dogs, but they will adapt, as dogs always do.  Dogs are nothing if not resilient creatures.  We just know that we want those changes to be as gradual as possible so that they can understand what's going on, and embrace those changes along with us.

As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.

My daughter wants Zelly to be a resilient dog, so she's varying her walking route routine, feeding her from puzzles, and working on tricks training daily.  Here's a smiley, happy Zelly mastering the balance-a-treat-on-your-snoot trick!